- 6 hours ago
- #firstdates
- #datingshow
- #relationshipgoals
First Dates UK Season 25 Episode 6
Explore the latest developments in dating and relationships as "First Dates" returns for another captivating episode in Season 25. This installment delves into the intricate dynamics of modern romance, showcasing the courage it takes for singles to open themselves up to new connections.
Witness the nervous anticipation and genuine hope as individuals embark on blind dates, sharing their personal stories and navigating the often-unpredictable journey of finding love. The episode highlights the importance of communication and empathy in building lasting relationships, offering viewers a relatable and insightful look at the pursuit of partnership.
Discover the challenges and triumphs that arise when two people meet for the first time, hoping to find a spark that could lead to something special. This episode provides a compelling narrative of human connection, exploring the universal desire for companionship and understanding in a world that is constantly evolving.
#FirstDates #DatingShow #RelationshipGoals
Explore the latest developments in dating and relationships as "First Dates" returns for another captivating episode in Season 25. This installment delves into the intricate dynamics of modern romance, showcasing the courage it takes for singles to open themselves up to new connections.
Witness the nervous anticipation and genuine hope as individuals embark on blind dates, sharing their personal stories and navigating the often-unpredictable journey of finding love. The episode highlights the importance of communication and empathy in building lasting relationships, offering viewers a relatable and insightful look at the pursuit of partnership.
Discover the challenges and triumphs that arise when two people meet for the first time, hoping to find a spark that could lead to something special. This episode provides a compelling narrative of human connection, exploring the universal desire for companionship and understanding in a world that is constantly evolving.
#FirstDates #DatingShow #RelationshipGoals
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00I ran out of swipes. I've completed Tinder.
00:03In the heart of Britain's most romantic city...
00:07Hello!
00:08Fred and his team...
00:09This is Captain Fur Potato.
00:12...are matching hopeful singletons...
00:14We're getting married, Merlin.
00:15...in a place where love is always on the menu.
00:19I've got a bit in your finger. You didn't go that far down this day.
00:24These daters...
00:25He probably thinks I'm having a poo or something.
00:27...are searching...
00:30...for the one.
00:32Would you chase me around the bedroom?
00:34Absolutely.
00:34Get your coat.
00:35I'm in.
00:36For some, stepping into the unknown...
00:40...can lead to surprising sparks.
00:43I work in the adult industry.
00:45Do you have an office for that?
00:46I have a dungeon.
00:48But finding a connection...
00:50A love story is about to begin.
00:52Shut up!
00:53...isn't always easy.
00:55Please tell me you actually last longer than three minutes.
00:58Oh!
01:00Help me!
01:02In the end...
01:04Hi!
01:04...it comes down to one...
01:08...big...
01:09...question.
01:10Would you guys like to see each other again?
01:12This isn't a little crit, is it?
01:14This is the First Dates Restaurants.
01:17This is the First Dates Restaurants.
01:36I've been doing burlesque for three years.
01:38I have travelled the world as a singer.
01:41I've spent most of my life stood in toilets talking to people about toilet paper.
01:45Everybody's got a different journey, but it all leads to our door.
01:50This is Aaron.
01:52I'm a huge hopeless romantic.
01:53A social activist and big dreamer looking for his very own happily ever after.
02:00I've always wanted to get married ever since I was a kid.
02:03I've definitely pictured my wedding day in huge detail.
02:07Baby, light up my word like nobody else.
02:10The way I envision it is just this beautiful evening full of light.
02:13You don't know you're beautiful.
02:15Like a big sort of old house.
02:16It's a double staircase.
02:18And we both come down, looking into each other's eyes.
02:21There will be a Domino's Pizza Buffet.
02:23I just want like a bowl of the garlic sauce and like just like loads of pizzas.
02:28That's what makes you beautiful.
02:31How are you Aaron?
02:32Yeah, good. How are you? Lovely to meet you.
02:34Nice to meet you too. You excited about it?
02:36Yeah, really excited.
02:37Yeah? You been single long?
02:39I have to say about like six months. Just situationship really.
02:42So things haven't really progressed past that point.
02:45Right. Why not?
02:47I think I'm colour blind so I don't really see red flags.
02:51I tend to fall hard and fast for people and I always believe the best in them.
02:54Come with me. Let me take you to the bar.
02:56I'd say like Mallow's life is very much like Bridget Jones combined with he's just not that into you.
03:02Where have you come from?
03:03Manchester.
03:04Manchester.
03:05How are you single living in Manchester?
03:07Like seriously, you can't even walk down the street there without somebody trying to talk to you.
03:11Yeah, I think it's just gay culture though as well.
03:13Like I think a lot of gay people aren't looking for that long term.
03:16They're looking for the short term.
03:17So it's a struggle then?
03:18It just seems as soon as you mention commitment, people like lose their mind.
03:21So what are you looking for? Who are you looking for?
03:24How do you like your blokes?
03:25Well, are you asking what my type is?
03:27Yeah.
03:28I do like masculine guys.
03:30I like someone who can be open with their emotions.
03:33And just someone that you can really get on with, you know?
03:35Yeah.
03:37Youth worker by day.
03:40Nightclub host by night.
03:43I made you all right?
03:44Nathan's love life is a total drag.
03:47What do you want to know about Vicky C?
03:51There she is.
03:53She's a beauty.
03:54Oh, she's a beast.
03:56She's literally a more masculine version of me.
03:59If that's even possible.
04:00All right, Hanson.
04:02Is it Saturday Night Fever or...?
04:04It is Saturday Night Fever, absolutely.
04:05How are you doing?
04:06Nice to meet you.
04:06Very well, you all right?
04:07Love your jacket.
04:08Trendy.
04:08On style.
04:09You're ready for it?
04:10I think so.
04:11Do you find it difficult to meet people?
04:12What's the hurdle?
04:13What's the thing that just...?
04:14Time.
04:16Confidence, I think.
04:18So...
04:19You're not struck me as somebody who doesn't have confidence.
04:21On the contrary.
04:23Depends on which context you're talking about, I suppose.
04:25I've been single now for over a decade.
04:29I'm working in bars and nightclubs where there's a constant flow of men.
04:34But it's not the right environment to meet someone in a serious capacity, I suppose.
04:40Hook-up culture is rife.
04:42Intimacy is what everybody wants.
04:44Sex is what everyone gets.
04:45Do you know your date is all right?
04:47Yes.
04:48If you just go discreetly like that...
04:51I know I've seen.
04:52You've seen it, yeah?
04:54All right.
04:54Yep.
04:56This is about to be interesting, Fred.
04:57I'm not going to lie to you.
04:59He's one of my friends.
05:00He's one of my friends.
05:03Well, this is going to be interesting, isn't it?
05:05Very interesting.
05:07Oh, my God.
05:08Aaron!
05:10Victoria.
05:13I'm back!
05:14I brought here with you and we go, how are you?
05:16I'm all right, thanks.
05:17You're all right?
05:18Yeah.
05:19This is so surreal.
05:20Honestly, I was so, like, nervous and then you just turned up.
05:25This is actually...
05:26This is crazy.
05:26This is actually crazy.
05:28Hello, what are you doing?
05:28Hiya, you all right?
05:29Yeah, not bad, not bad.
05:30How's are you?
05:32Much more at ease now.
05:33I'm sitting here with a friend.
05:34We actually know each other.
05:34You know each other?
05:35Oh, right.
05:35Okay, cool.
05:36Where from and how am I?
05:38Manchester.
05:39We run in kind of the same social circles, so...
05:41Yeah.
05:43You guys are very lucky.
05:44Because you know the hardest thing to establish in a relationship is trust.
05:48But you've already got that.
05:50Yeah.
05:51Yeah.
05:51All you have to inject is a little va-va-vous.
05:54Va-va-vous?
05:54Yeah.
05:55A little romantic je ne sais quoi.
05:57Shall we go to your table?
05:57Absolutely.
05:58To la table?
05:59La table.
06:03Oh, thank you very much, ladies.
06:05Enjoy your date.
06:05Have fun.
06:06Fabulous.
06:07Thank you so much.
06:07Thank you so much.
06:13Hi.
06:14My name's Tracy.
06:1753.
06:18I'm looking for that special guy out there.
06:21Call me.
06:25Former Mayor Tracy wants someone special to share her favourite place in the world with.
06:32I am from a little town in West Yorkshire called Wakefield.
06:36A wonderful town.
06:37It's where I grew up.
06:38I've not lived anywhere else.
06:40I loved it that much I became the mayor.
06:44Good afternoon, Fred.
06:45How are you?
06:45All the better for seeing you.
06:47Thank you so much.
06:48Are you in the mood for love?
06:49I am definitely in the mood.
06:51I'm wearing the colour of love.
06:52Yeah?
06:52Shall I take your coat?
06:53Oh, that would be wonderful.
06:54I'm not your stereotypical mayor.
06:56I left school with no qualifications.
06:58I drink.
06:59I go out with my friends.
07:00I go to festivals.
07:01I've got a camper van.
07:03What can I get you to drink first?
07:04I would like to have a spicy margarita, please.
07:06A spicy margarita?
07:07Yes.
07:08Add a little spice to the day, I think.
07:09Why not?
07:10Yeah, exactly.
07:10Starts with me to go on.
07:12What do you miss about being in a relationship?
07:14Can I say sex?
07:18And tell me, what do you do?
07:19I'm a paramedic.
07:20You're a paramedic?
07:21I am, yes.
07:21Oh, wonderful.
07:22But I've only just become a paramedic.
07:24I've been a technician before and worked my way up through the ranks.
07:26So, I graduated last year from university.
07:29Oh, congratulations.
07:30You're 52.
07:30You're never too old to go back and learn.
07:32No, you're not.
07:33No.
07:33Brilliant.
07:34Tell me about you and dating then.
07:35Have you dated much?
07:37No, not much in the last three years.
07:38Wow.
07:39Oh, this is a big day for you.
07:41This is a very big day for me.
07:42Tell me, what are you looking for?
07:43What do you like in a man?
07:44A good sense of humour.
07:46I like people that are kind.
07:47Kind?
07:48Yeah.
07:48And polite.
07:49How do you like them to look?
07:50I like manners.
07:51I've no preference when we looked.
07:52What if it's short?
07:54Well, well, we're all the same lying down now.
07:58Ready to plunge into his date with Tracy, toilet roll salesman Stuart is wiped out from
08:05his search for love.
08:06Now, scrunching it reduces your surface area, doesn't it?
08:10Whereas if you fold it, you've got a bigger surface area, haven't you?
08:15The average person in an office environment will use a toilet three times a day.
08:18And on average, they will use eight sheets of toilet paper per visit.
08:22But we don't want to talk about toilet paper on a first day.
08:24There's way more exciting things to talk about, isn't there, than that?
08:27Nice to meet you.
08:28And you.
08:29Love your shirt.
08:29You like pink?
08:31No, it's cherry blossom, Fred.
08:32Cherry blossom?
08:33No, I mean pink as a colour.
08:33Oh yeah, do I like pink as a colour?
08:35Brilliant.
08:36How long have you been single?
08:3813 years, 3 months and 27 days.
08:41I think.
08:42Might be 28 days.
08:43I'm at a different point in my life now.
08:46Maybe it's time to re-evaluate my single bubble.
08:48I need someone to come along and try and burst it.
08:51Shall I take your jacket?
08:52Yes, please.
08:52No, take that.
08:54It'd be nice to meet someone who's got a lustful eye.
08:55Someone confident.
08:56Someone who's comfortable in their own world.
08:59Have a nice day.
09:00Cheers.
09:01That's an awesome shirt.
09:03I'm Stuart, thank you.
09:04Tracy.
09:05Nice to meet you.
09:05Pleased to meet you.
09:06We're nearly matching Stuart.
09:07I know.
09:08Aren't we?
09:08You must have got the memo.
09:09I did.
09:11I need to put my glasses on, I can't see.
09:12Mine are the same.
09:13Yeah.
09:14I can see them.
09:15What are you drinking?
09:16I'm on a spicy margarita.
09:18Oh nice.
09:19This is Stuart.
09:20He got the memo about matching.
09:21I was going to say.
09:22Look at this.
09:24Joyous.
09:24Yeah.
09:24Look at that shirt, that's awesome.
09:26What do you do for a living then?
09:28So I sell cleaning products for a living.
09:32Alright.
09:32Exciting stuff.
09:33So I spend most of my life in the toilet talking to people about how to use toilet roll.
09:36Which is good fun.
09:37It's good.
09:38It's reception proof.
09:39Yeah.
09:39Yeah.
09:40Everybody needs it.
09:40It's never going to go out of fashion is it?
09:42No.
09:42Not at all.
09:44Hi Fred.
09:45Yes.
09:46Come with me.
09:50I haven't actually saw any of your shows yet.
09:52Like obviously I know that your drag name is Victoria but.
09:55Yeah.
09:55Which is pretty much how everyone knows me to be fair.
09:57What is your actual name then?
09:58Because obviously I, well unless it is Victoria.
10:00No, no, no, no.
10:01Nathan.
10:02A lot of people only know me as Vic or Victoria and she's amazing.
10:08And I could walk down the street as Vic and everyone knows her.
10:11Everyone wants to be her friend.
10:12She's confident.
10:13Mm-hmm.
10:15But underneath it all Nathan really wasn't.
10:19I, I would be ghosted so many times when they find out I've done drag.
10:22Although I do drag.
10:23That's the gay community.
10:24It's brutal.
10:24As soon as you were saying that I was like wow like never talked deeply like this before.
10:28No.
10:28Yeah.
10:30I've been ghosted so many times.
10:32I think dating is difficult sometimes because I can't always funny be myself.
10:36I often feel like I'm showing a different version of me even though they're both me.
10:40I mean.
10:47Me, like when I meet someone that's the hardest thing.
10:50It's like well when, when do I tell someone?
10:52Absolutely.
10:55Has your hair ever caused you problems with dates?
10:58I was getting intimate with a guy and you know they put their hand on my head.
11:02And pulls.
11:03And the thing came off.
11:05And they just screamed.
11:07I screamed and I was like oh my god this is like one of my worst fears.
11:10And yeah and then I did not see them again.
11:13I just sort of like ran out of there.
11:14And it's been like that since you know I was a kid.
11:16Yeah.
11:17So it started coming out in clumps when I was like 12 or 13 at school.
11:20I went to like a Catholic school that is relevant because at that point losing my hair being gay and
11:25stuff as well.
11:26Everything was suppressed.
11:27I'd sit in my bed, talk to the ceiling.
11:30Obviously I'd wish for my hair but I'd also just wish not to be gay.
11:35I thought my word was going to crumble but instead I did a TikTok video, posted it and actually I
11:40got so many messages and then I was like okay cool so maybe being vulnerable is actually a good thing.
11:44It's insane how far I've actually came.
11:48I can't control people's reactions but I can control how I respond to their behaviours.
11:54I am worthy of love.
11:55I deserve that.
11:55If you don't think that, fine.
11:57Go and work with yourself.
11:58It's about war paint and armour.
12:00The hair system and drag are the armour to who we are underneath.
12:05But who we are underneath doesn't change.
12:08We're still that same person with the same morals and the same values.
12:11I don't think we would have ever spoke like this before.
12:14It's just really nice to hear things be so open about it you know.
12:17It's a part of me I keep quite quiet to be honest with you.
12:20I hold myself in a certain way.
12:21I'm very intimidating and I hold myself uptight and I'm almost very unapproachable.
12:25Almost.
12:34Certain types of toilet paper, the really big rolls.
12:36You can pull it out really slowly and they put it in the toilet so it gets wet
12:40and then they flush the toilet and it'll spin the whole toilet paper off down the toilet.
12:46You know Sissi, some of our older daters today, it feels as if they are really out of practice.
12:52They haven't been dating for so long and they're going back on the horse
12:55and they just have no idea how to do it.
12:57But what to do?
12:58I remember the toilet rolls at school that were like the...
13:01Dressing paper.
13:01Yeah.
13:03I mean what were we thinking of?
13:05Cost.
13:08Hi Gorge.
13:09Hello.
13:10How are you?
13:10Hello.
13:11How are we doing?
13:12Fabulous.
13:12Did I hear that you two might know each other?
13:15Yeah, so we are in the same friendship group believe it or not.
13:17But like I wouldn't say like close friends you know.
13:20So we've been in the rooms together at parties, we've pre-drunk together, we've been to clubs together,
13:25we've done it.
13:26So we know each other socially.
13:29But romantically you've never explored anything even before.
13:34No.
13:35No but I think obviously I don't know how you feel about this but being on this date you know
13:38I'm very much open to getting to know you.
13:41Like...
13:41Absolutely.
13:49Matty, I'm not even joking mate.
13:51I'm on a date with Victoria.
13:54Like...
13:55What?
13:58Where you off to?
14:00I'm going to the cellar.
14:00Where in the basement?
14:02Oh here we go.
14:03Take the lift.
14:05This was not on the bingo card of all the things that I thought might happen like this was not...
14:12Anyway, so I'm just giving you a quick update and...
14:15Yeah.
14:15I'll let you know how it goes.
14:17This is so wild!
14:19Wow, thank you very much there.
14:22I'm going to grab you another fork.
14:24Lovely job, thank you.
14:26So have you always lived in Wakefield?
14:27Yes.
14:28And my family still live in Wakefield so my mum still lives...
14:30My mum and dad are still at the same house that my kids live close by so it's just handy.
14:36My daughter was a mental health nurse.
14:38Wow.
14:39So my eldest is a paramedic and my youngest works for a layer of disabilities.
14:44We're all in caring professions.
14:46So how did that...
14:47Did it just happen by accident or has everyone kind of just sort of migrated to that?
14:51Well, it's a funny story.
14:53I'm going to tell you about it.
14:56My oldest son we adopted at birth because I had him when I was 15.
15:01I kept the pregnancy secret for six months and then told my parents about it.
15:05Knew that I couldn't look after him at 15.
15:07My mum and dad didn't have much money.
15:10It was difficult, more difficult than I thought it would be.
15:13Every year you think about it, every year you think, oh, it's his birthday or every year you think, oh,
15:17I wonder what he's doing or what he looks like or I hope he's alright.
15:20All I ever wanted was for him to be happy.
15:23And when the law changed and you were able to find your adopted children through an intermediary, I paid to
15:28find him.
15:30And we met and everything just clicked into place and I got a job with the ambulance service and he
15:34was already a paramedic with the ambulance service.
15:35Oh, wow.
15:37I know you won't believe this, but it turned out I'd got a job at the same ambulance station that
15:43he was working at and he was a paramedic.
15:46It's lovely to see that he's had such a marvellous upbringing.
15:49Something that I did, it's not that you don't love them, it's the fact that you know you can't give
15:52them everything they need at that age.
15:54So he's had a lovely life and I'm super proud of him.
15:58We all just melded into one big family.
16:01Obviously, like you say, it was meant to be.
16:02Yeah, yeah.
16:03There was a song there somewhere.
16:04There is, there is.
16:05Yep.
16:11Good game.
16:12I think that was a tie.
16:14There's no way, there is no way that was a tie, but good game.
16:18I'm trying to be a better loser, OK?
16:20That's OK.
16:23Hi.
16:23Ready.
16:2927-year-old Verity is a barber who's looking for a man whose love won't fade.
16:35I get really mixed reactions from lads when I tell them I'm a barber.
16:40The weirdest chat-up line has just got to be like, when are you cutting my hair then?
16:46And I'm like, never know. You've just ruined it.
16:49I made you look.
16:51Hi.
16:52Hey, how are you, Verity?
16:53I'm good, thank you.
16:54Tell me, what do you do for a living?
16:55So, I am a barber.
16:56Are you?
16:56Yeah.
16:57Do you meet anybody in the salon?
16:59No, never.
17:00My dating life at the moment is literally non-existent.
17:03I don't really approach men.
17:06It's not even about rejection, I just think I'm just scared.
17:09I just can't do it.
17:11How are you feeling?
17:12Yeah, I'm nervous.
17:14So, when was the last time you were dating?
17:15It's been, like, months, really, yeah.
17:17Aw, but...
17:17Yeah, so it's going to be fun.
17:18And how do you like your guys to look?
17:20I like a, like, tall dog and handsome.
17:22Yeah, and I like a trendy guy as well.
17:25Yeah?
17:25Just, like, a happy, easy-going person.
17:27Yeah, happy-tappy.
17:29I want someone that's, like, sweet and gentle with me
17:32and confident, not cocky.
17:34I love, like, dark hair.
17:36Like, a nice, neat beard.
17:38I like them tall.
17:41Verity's date is six-foot-five Mancunian coach driver, Liam.
17:46Have you ever been to London?
17:48Nope.
17:48This is the furthest you've ever been.
17:50Yeah, furthest self, yeah.
17:51I'm from Manchester, like, everything's there.
17:53I only go north, so I never come down.
17:55I'm surprised I ain't got a nosebleed coming this far.
17:58But this is how far you'll travel for love.
18:00Yeah, exactly, yeah.
18:01You can only get one shot at the door.
18:02You can go as far as you can go.
18:04Nice to see you.
18:05Nice to see you.
18:06Nice to see you. Love your haircut.
18:07Oh, cheers.
18:08Yeah.
18:08My ideal woman would be confident, funny, charming.
18:13Same as me.
18:14Just someone with my energy.
18:16Just happy.
18:17Cheers.
18:17Enjoy, good luck.
18:19Hi, are you all right?
18:21Hi, are you all right?
18:21Sorry, I didn't realise it was you coming over.
18:24Oh, you've got a strong accent.
18:25I know, I saw you.
18:26How about?
18:26Like, Leeds.
18:28Manchester.
18:29Oh, really, sorry, I've gone too far.
18:30Hey, sir.
18:31How are you?
18:32Can I get a single pink gin and lemonade, please?
18:33A pink gin and lemonade?
18:34Yeah, sure thing.
18:35I'm a bit of a feminine drinker.
18:37No, that's fine.
18:38Is it?
18:38Do you like wine?
18:39Not really.
18:40It don't taste nice.
18:42It's not a thing.
18:43You can't tell me that tastes nice.
18:44Yeah, I think it does.
18:45All our drink is, like, white wine, yeah.
18:47Obviously not, like, every minute of every day, but, like, yeah.
18:50No.
18:51Pink gin.
18:52What's your name, sorry?
18:53Liam.
18:53Liam and Verity.
18:55Verity?
18:55Yeah, nice.
18:56Lovely to know.
18:57You look lovely.
18:59What do you think of bar?
19:01It's nice.
19:01This is the furthest south I've ever been.
19:03Really?
19:03Have you been to, like, London, though?
19:05No.
19:05You've never been to London?
19:07I've never been to London.
19:09I've never been to London.
19:09Maybe you could tell me.
19:10Ha, ha, ha.
19:11Maybe.
19:14I remember the first time I met you.
19:16Oh, now you're going to tell.
19:17We got him.
19:18I would say, like, a coconut, because, like, obviously,
19:21really hard shell, like...
19:23I've never been to a coconut.
19:25But I see your point.
19:27Yeah.
19:28Ridiculously hard exterior.
19:29And I do.
19:30I'm aware that I hold myself in a certain kind of way.
19:33I don't want to be vulnerable.
19:34Why do you feel like you can't be vulnerable anymore?
19:39Because, yeah, because, um...
19:41I don't want to go through the things I've been through again.
19:44Men are horrid.
19:46The last serious relationship I had, um,
19:50was a very long time ago.
19:52And I think I was very much so desperate to be loved by somebody
19:56that I was sucked into this relationship with this boy
20:02who was just not a very nice person.
20:06I mean, he really broke me
20:08because of how awful he really was.
20:13I don't think I've been ready to trust anyone again since him.
20:18Why did you come on this, then?
20:21Nearly 40 years old.
20:23And I genuinely can say that I don't think I've ever been in love.
20:26How hard is that?
20:27I think it might seem hard, but also, you said yourself, you know,
20:31that you find it really hard to be vulnerable.
20:34Then maybe you just haven't been vulnerable to the right person.
20:36Yeah, maybe that.
20:38Then I am a Taurus, so...
20:40Mmm!
20:41So our signs do match, actually.
20:42Do they?
20:43Yeah.
20:43I'll have to do a tarot card reading for you at some point, then.
20:46Did you do one before today?
20:48So I did one yesterday.
20:49So what did they say?
20:50So, two of cups means the beginning of a relationship.
20:54Nine of cups is the fulfilment of an emotional wish.
20:57That, I do feel, describes the situation.
21:01Well, I hate to say it, but I think your card's read this day perfectly.
21:05Cos that sounds pretty accurate.
21:12So what sort of food do you like?
21:14Erm, I like Mexican, Indian, Italian, Chinese.
21:21Yeah, put everything in there.
21:22Yeah, yeah.
21:23It would be better if asking them, what don't you like?
21:25Custard.
21:26You don't like custard?
21:27No.
21:27Why not?
21:28I've got a proclothobian about custard.
21:31Have you?
21:31It's a little bit weird, I know.
21:33So you're scared of custard?
21:35Yeah, so I once bit into a donut without custard in it and burst into tears.
21:40Oh, wow.
21:41Yes.
21:42I do love a custard donut.
21:46And what made you decide to pick this, then?
21:49Oh, there's a number of reasons.
21:50So, three years ago I got diagnosed with a brain tumour.
21:53Wow.
21:54Because of where it was, it had paralysed me down the left-hand side.
21:57So I went in in January 23 for my first stop.
22:02And they thought it had all been quite successful.
22:04And then in May of 23 they started talking to me about chemo and radiotherapy,
22:08which scares the bejesus out of me.
22:10And when they started talking about radio and chemo, they started talking about two years of life.
22:15So it was like, ooh, shit.
22:18So that's prompted my move back to Leeds.
22:20Yeah.
22:20And my parents are close to there and so is my brother.
22:22Right.
22:23So, yeah, so when I got to Leeds, they were brilliant because they went, no, what we'll do is, we
22:26don't like radio, we don't like chemo, we'll crack you up again and we'll take it out.
22:29So I was like, all right, great.
22:29Okay.
22:30So they did that in Jan 24.
22:32Yeah.
22:32And now they're talking about ten years of life.
22:34Oh.
22:34Well, sorry, ten years treatment-free now.
22:36I suppose I'm resetting my life.
22:38Yeah, I thought, why not put myself out there and live a little bit.
22:43Before, you used to think about your retirement and getting pension right and stuff like that.
22:46I don't care about any of that anymore.
22:48Yeah.
22:48So it's all about, no, let's just go out and live life and have some really good experiences.
22:51Absolutely.
22:53Definitely a life-changing moment.
22:56Sorry, I didn't ask all of you.
22:58Oh, I'm not allowed to answer that.
22:59Yeah.
23:00I'm nearly 50.
23:01Oh, wow.
23:01I have to keep reminding myself that.
23:03What are you going to do for your 50?
23:05I don't know yet.
23:06I haven't decided.
23:0950, it's a big thing.
23:10You need to know something spectacular.
23:12Yeah, it is.
23:13You made it to 50.
23:14Yeah.
23:14Woo!
23:14I can't believe you're 6'5".
23:19I'm 5'4".
23:20Are you?
23:21Yeah, you're over a foot taller than me.
23:23It's like a whole Subway sandwich, isn't it?
23:24I know, yeah, you actually are.
23:26Yeah, a whole Subway sandwich.
23:27You actually are.
23:29That is crazy.
23:34As a queer person, Manchester has everything I've wanted.
23:38Mm-hmm.
23:40Um...
23:41Well, it's interesting you say that as well, because I feel like me and you are a little
23:44bit on the opposite end of the spectrum, not sexuality-wise, but I think for me, I've
23:49always struggled to have, like, gay friends, just because I feel like the community can
23:54be quite difficult.
23:55So, and also, like, quite judgmental.
23:57And also, then you've got the side of, like, trying to make a relationship work in Manchester's
24:01gay scene.
24:02Yeah, there's a lot of promiscuity on the scene.
24:05Hook-up culture...
24:06Yeah.
24:06...is rife.
24:08Um, and it's great for... for the there and thens.
24:14Mm-hmm.
24:15You know, we won't knock it.
24:16I've never had a hook-up.
24:17Ever.
24:18Have you not?
24:18No.
24:19Um, okay.
24:23Oh, can I open now?
24:24Yeah.
24:25Hiya.
24:26Hi.
24:27Hi.
24:29Yes, please.
24:30Could we get the check, please?
24:31Absolutely.
24:31We'll bring it over to you guys.
24:33Do you want to see each other again romantically?
24:38Do you want to be the big brave boy and say it?
24:40Go on, then.
24:40Rather than putting you on the spot.
24:42For me, no.
24:43This is such a wonderful friendship.
24:45And I felt like I've got to know you so much deeper this evening in a way that is so
24:50lovely, but not romantically.
24:53Mm-hmm.
24:54Can we just grab that out?
24:56Spin it.
24:56Yeah?
24:57That's what was really beautiful about tonight, actually, because it's the first time we've
25:00really engaged on a deep level outside of, you know, just viewing the thing that we
25:04had in common was beautiful about being gay, because the group chat is called Gays
25:08R Us.
25:09Gays R Us.
25:10Yeah.
25:11It's 100% on you.
25:12Mine's not working.
25:14So is there definitely no way you two would consider each other?
25:19Well, I'm not ruling it out.
25:21I was not expecting you to say that.
25:24Well, you can ever say never.
25:25If I'm six pounds deep, I might hook up with you when I'm really, really drunk.
25:29Right.
25:29So when you can't see almost, you...
25:32Right.
25:33Okay.
25:34Honestly, of all the people I could have walked in to see, I'm so glad it was you.
25:38What are the chances, though?
25:39I know.
25:40But what a great story to take back to our friends in Manchester.
25:42I think we actually need to go for a drink.
25:44We do.
25:44There is a gay bar here.
25:45There's one.
25:46I've already Googled it and found it.
25:47Love it.
25:48So shall we go and get six pints in here?
25:59I think love is being able to be silent together and that that's okay.
26:05That you are both enough for each other.
26:08Oh.
26:09So that, therefore, you don't have to fill the space with...
26:11Don't talk in words.
26:12I can't imagine you being quiet.
26:17What can I get you?
26:18Can we have the Korean fried chicken?
26:20Yep.
26:21The gambas and the potato sparrows, please.
26:24Should we get some seasoned fries as well or something?
26:25Yeah, we'll get some chips as well then, yeah.
26:26Get some seasoned fries.
26:27Yeah, some fries, yeah.
26:28No problem.
26:29It would be, like, your ideal first day.
26:32Okay.
26:32Probably something like this would be fair, like, having some drinks, like, food.
26:35I like doing fun stuff as well, you know, like, going bowling and, like, crazy golf and stuff like that.
26:40I do like this.
26:41I like how I'm going to sit down and drink and food and try new foods as well.
26:45I quite like that one.
26:46Yeah.
26:46I'm going to try these prawns.
26:47I've never liked these before.
26:48What are you going to do if you don't like this?
26:49I like it.
26:50What if you don't?
26:51No, I'll put on a brave face.
26:54Oh, that's so nice.
26:58Cheers, thank you.
26:59So, like, I have a question for you, right?
27:02Where do you think I'm from?
27:05In the castle.
27:06So, I sound like I am, but I'm not.
27:09You sound like that?
27:10No.
27:10It's got to be.
27:12No.
27:12I'm bad with accents, though.
27:14No, you're right, like, with the accent, like, it's a north-east accent.
27:17But I'm, like, I'm from, like, the Midlands.
27:21So, this is a video of my old accent.
27:23I sound, like, so different.
27:25So, this is the colour of it after I've stripped it.
27:29I'm going to put the dark blonde on it and see what happens.
27:35I can't believe that that's how I sound.
27:37It's a really strange feeling.
27:39I have a brain disorder which caused my accent to change.
27:43Oh, really?
27:44Yes.
27:45Where did you come from?
27:45Yeah, so I have something called foreign accent syndrome.
27:48Right.
27:48October 2023, I had, like, one of the worst migraines of my life.
27:53And when I woke up, I couldn't speak.
27:57And as it was, like, starting to come back,
27:59I could just tell that I didn't sound like me.
28:02I got diagnosed with functional neurological disorder,
28:06which is where, like, my brain and nervous system
28:08isn't connected properly, which causes, like, malfunctions.
28:12Sometimes I have to wear hearing aids because if my brain's malfunctioning
28:14on that certain day, I can't hear properly.
28:16It's really, like, affected my life massively.
28:19And then end up with, like, a different accent, so...
28:23Only person.
28:24Yeah, literally.
28:26Yeah, it was a bit crazy, so...
28:28And, like, I just don't think people knew how to deal with it.
28:30Not a lot of people do, though, do they?
28:31I don't think I would, either.
28:34I don't want to get hurt.
28:36I don't want to fall in love with somebody
28:39and then they can't deal with how poorly I am.
28:42And I think that's why I've just kind of, like, pushed people in me before.
28:46I feel like no-one's going to want me, yeah.
28:50I'm under, like, different neurologists and consultants and that
28:52and, like, yeah, it's a bit crazy.
28:55Yeah, that's...hey, that's what makes you, you.
28:57Yeah, that's true. That is very true.
29:10If you're looking for trouble...
29:11Here, hoping to collar a man tonight...
29:13Right, please.
29:14...is burlesque dancer Double D, a.k.a. Deborah.
29:20Double D.
29:21It's, like, a cheeky reference to Double D,
29:24but I'm not actually a Double D anymore, so...
29:28Hello.
29:29How are you?
29:30I'm good, thank you.
29:31You're looking great.
29:33Have you been on many dates recently?
29:34No.
29:35No?
29:35Not for a long, long time.
29:37I've been single for six years.
29:39If I've been in town with my friend,
29:41I could go in pubs and probably get three different men's numbers
29:45and then message them and then no reply because half of them are married.
29:49Well, look, you're in the right place, though.
29:51I know.
29:51You're the first to arrive.
29:52Good.
29:53You can have a good look at your date when you're on.
29:55Okay.
29:55Because you'll be sitting here.
29:58Enjoy. See you later.
29:59Thank you, Fred. Hello.
30:00Hi.
30:01Welcome. Firstly, can I get you a drink?
30:03Of course, yeah. I've been waiting all day for this drink.
30:05Can I have an April Spritz, please?
30:07An April Spritz. Coming up.
30:09I'm a naught to a hundred girl.
30:11Naught, I don't fancy them at all, or a hundred.
30:14I'm there both feet.
30:16And how do you like your mental look?
30:18Normally tall, dark, handsome.
30:20Oh?
30:21I'm definitely a groupie.
30:24I just love men that are entertainers or singers.
30:28I love Adamant.
30:33I like a man to know his own style and his own taste
30:37and not just be run-of-the-mill.
30:42Deborah's Prince Charming is Lee,
30:44a professional singer hoping to turn his solo performance into a duet.
30:50Do you have any sort of wild stories from travelling the world or anything like that?
30:53I did turn up at one booking.
30:55I had my name on the poster.
30:58And it said one for the ladies.
31:00And it was about a hundred nurses.
31:03And they thought I was a stripper.
31:07How are you?
31:08Hi, Fred.
31:09Nice to meet you.
31:10Very smart.
31:10Yeah, you too.
31:11I love your jacket.
31:12Yeah, really cool.
31:14Have you been on many dates before?
31:16Not very good ones.
31:18People think because you have a microphone and the career that I do
31:21that you're really, really confident.
31:24But I'm very, very shy and I never ever really approach women.
31:28Your date has arrived.
31:29She's at the ball.
31:30Oh, nice one.
31:32Here we are.
31:33Enjoy your date.
31:34Hi.
31:35Hi, all right.
31:35What's your name?
31:36Debbie.
31:36Nice to meet you, Debbie.
31:38And you.
31:38Where are you from?
31:39Barnsley.
31:39Barnsley.
31:40From what?
31:41Have you been on holiday?
31:42No.
31:43I went on the sunbed last month.
31:45Oh, okay.
31:46You've got a nice cup.
31:47Yeah.
31:48What's that?
31:49April Spritz.
31:50I'll have one of them, please, Mellie.
31:52Sure.
31:53Barnsley, yeah.
31:53I've been up there a few times.
31:55I've been to Goba Road.
31:57The working men's club?
31:58Yeah.
31:58Oh, that's where I go.
32:00Oh, is it?
32:00Yeah.
32:01I go to burlesque classes.
32:03Oh, what, you do burlesque?
32:05Yeah.
32:05Oh, good, aren't you?
32:06Good for body confidence.
32:07It is?
32:08Yeah.
32:08What were you doing at Goba, then?
32:09Were you performing?
32:11Yeah.
32:12Not a stripper, though, like people think.
32:14No.
32:14Singer.
32:15What do you sing?
32:16My favourite is, like, Andrea Bocelli.
32:18All right.
32:19So, I like my classical.
32:20Put anything from 50s to chart.
32:24I like your jacket, by the way.
32:25And your jeans.
32:26So, this is my son's.
32:27Is it?
32:28Yes, Fred.
32:29How are we doing?
32:29Are you ready to go through to the table?
32:31Yes.
32:31Ready when you are, yeah.
32:32Come with me.
32:35A lot about travelling.
32:37A place that you like to go.
32:39I haven't been anywhere for a while.
32:41I want to go travelling, but I travel a lot with work.
32:43Yeah.
32:44But it's nice to go with someone.
32:45Yeah, it is.
32:46It makes a difference.
32:47I think that's one of the things I've missed.
32:49I've just been travelling.
32:50I've got a camper van and I've just been in France and Spain.
32:52With a friend.
32:55Yeah.
32:55I don't like sitting on the beach.
32:57I'm not into that.
33:00I hide from the sun because I just burn, so.
33:02Wow.
33:02Yeah.
33:03I love the sunshine.
33:06Yeah.
33:07Tracey's lovely.
33:07She's a very interesting person.
33:09See, the fact she's retrained to be a paramedic, that's a proper job.
33:13I mean, I saw bloody cleaning products for a living.
33:15She's out saving lives every day.
33:17Kind of puts things in perspective, doesn't it?
33:19Yeah, we won't make it fair.
33:20Let's split.
33:20No, we won't.
33:21I'll arm wrestle you for it.
33:23Go on, man.
33:23Go on, man.
33:24I'm going to lose.
33:25Oh, thank you so much.
33:31Would you guys like to see each other again?
33:35Am I going first?
33:36Why not?
33:37Ladies first.
33:38Obviously.
33:38It's the rules, isn't it?
33:39I think I had a really nice time, but I don't think we're actually in the right place.
33:44for each other this moment in time.
33:46Thank you for that.
33:48Yep.
33:48Cheers.
33:49Cheers, yep.
33:51No, I don't disagree with you.
33:52I kind of think that, yeah, I completely understand that.
33:54And, yeah, my life is kind of in a strange place at the moment.
33:58I love that your coat is matching.
33:59This whole pink thing is amazing.
34:01I'll tell you a fun fact about me.
34:03I used to be the mayor.
34:04Did you?
34:05Yeah.
34:05Of where?
34:06Wakefield.
34:06Wow.
34:07That's awesome.
34:08I could have got involved with royalty.
34:11Yeah.
34:11That's nuts.
34:14Oh, we got a little bit of bow tie fixing today.
34:17There we go.
34:18Thank you very much.
34:22I had some Malibu and Cokes last night to try and calm the nerves.
34:25Was you in the gutter?
34:27Yeah.
34:28I felt drunk.
34:30See, I don't drink at gigs.
34:32I never get nervous.
34:34Yeah.
34:34Here, yeah.
34:35Nerves.
34:38Here we go.
34:39Your sea bath.
34:41Your steak.
34:44Is that done?
34:45Can I take that?
34:45Yes, thank you.
34:47Well, that looks really nice.
34:52So, have you been married before, Debbie?
34:54Yeah, for 28 years.
34:56Just once?
34:56Yeah.
34:57Yeah.
34:57But see, I've never been married.
34:58I've been engaged five times over the years.
35:01Five times.
35:02That's a lot of money on engagement.
35:03It is, when you don't get them back.
35:05Well.
35:06I look at past relationships and think, yeah, maybe if I'd done this and done that,
35:11not put myself and my career first and my work, I probably would have been still in
35:17some of them relationships now.
35:21I've got a lot of regrets about my past, because I've missed a lot of my children growing up.
35:29My daughter, at the moment, is living with me Wednesday to Monday, because she's started
35:34working for my son.
35:35It's been really nice, actually, having her there.
35:38I've really missed her.
35:40She's amazing.
35:42They both are.
35:43I've been very lucky with my children.
35:46My son's just told me a couple of weeks ago he's going to have, they're having a baby.
35:50So, he keeps calling me granddad.
35:53I'm in my 50s now and you sort of look and you think, it's just nice to have that someone
35:58next to you.
35:59When my daughter first started going on holiday with her friends, I'd cry for nearly a week
36:03while she was away.
36:04Yeah.
36:04Because we're so close, all of us.
36:06Yeah.
36:07They're so lovely together and when we're all together we just all get on and have fun.
36:11Yeah.
36:11And make fun of each other.
36:13That's what my son's like.
36:14My son's very much like me.
36:15He's very witty, very sarcastic, loves wound ups.
36:18I think I'm lucky my children have got good hearts.
36:20They're good people and that's all you can ask for.
36:23That's a blessing, isn't it?
36:29Yay!
36:30There is your gambas.
36:33I've got your potatoes bravas.
36:36Amazing, thank you.
36:37And I have your Korean chicken.
36:42How is your day in history?
36:44I feel like my health's had a lot of, like...
36:47Impact on it?
36:47Yeah.
36:48Because, like, the last couple of people I've been with it's only been, like, a few months.
36:51Mm.
36:51How was yours?
36:53I've only ever had, like, one serious relationship in my life.
36:55Mm.
36:55And that ended, like, about a year ago.
36:57Mm.
36:58As a kid you kind of think, oh, by the time I'm this age I'll have a family, I'll have
37:02a house, I'll have a dog, a car.
37:05So, I think, turning 30, I would like to share the next half of my life with someone.
37:11My friends are pretty much settled down with missus and getting houses and stuff like that.
37:15To be fair, I'm the same, like, most of my friends are married, they've got kids, and I'm just like...
37:19Yeah.
37:20When you laugh.
37:22Yeah, I'm like, aw.
37:23Yeah.
37:23Having that best friend, but partner, relationship...
37:27Can't be it.
37:28LAUGHTER
37:31Having someone to lean on, someone you can do everything with, you know, do anything to make the other person
37:35happy.
37:36What's, like, your normal type?
37:38So, you do look like your type.
37:41LAUGHTER
37:43So, like, yeah, I like the tall, darling, handsome type.
37:47I like your beard, you've got... I like your hair.
37:49It's different, it's quirky.
37:50Oh, thank you.
37:50No, it's nice, obviously, cos, like, being a barber, I notice it.
37:53Yeah, yeah.
37:54Can't wait for them free trims.
37:56They're going to be brilliant.
37:57Every four days I want to feed.
37:59Nor four deers.
38:01Nor five's the minimum.
38:03Yes.
38:03Five is the minimum.
38:05LAUGHTER
38:08Hello, Fred.
38:08So, um, my little finger tells me that you are a singer.
38:12Yes.
38:13So, what are you saying, then?
38:14Let's go, let's put it on the show.
38:15LAUGHTER
38:16What, I've got to sing?
38:18Well, you're a singer.
38:19Just a couple of verses.
38:20All right, let's go.
38:20MUSIC PLAYS
38:25Oh, sole mio...
38:29Stand I front-e at te.
38:33Oh, sole, oh, sole mio...
38:42Stand I front-e at te.
38:55Wow, that was amazing.
38:58Fabulous.
39:02That was brave.
39:03Honestly, and physically, she is.
39:05Total respect to you, Debbie, for Velasque.
39:09I just love dancing.
39:11Most people are like, wow, I don't know how you've got the guts.
39:14I'm more worried about getting the dance right, the end bit.
39:18You beat yourself up when you watch it back and you're thinking,
39:21I went wrong on that bit, and it was like, well, nobody knew,
39:23because only you know what you're doing for the solo.
39:25Exactly.
39:27I'm really not a confident person.
39:33When I was younger, I was bullied at school,
39:35and I was bullied in my marriage a lot,
39:38and I feel like I can't change who I am.
39:44When you've been married, as long as I was,
39:46it takes a while for the mist to clear
39:48and for you to realise who you are
39:50and what you actually want from life.
39:53The burlesque, it's more of a cabaret,
39:55so we have, like, a singer, and we have all different things.
39:58I can't sing.
40:00Everybody can sing Debbie.
40:01I can sing, it's not a good song.
40:03Everybody can sing.
40:04But what I do is I get on the karaoke, I wiggle a lot,
40:07so it distracts them from the sound of my voice.
40:09Yeah, but that's what karaoke's about.
40:12Now I'm happy in my life,
40:14and I don't want to stop what I'm doing.
40:16I want somebody to bring something to my life.
40:18I would love to be swept off my feet.
40:21I'd like somebody that's really good fun.
40:27Are you cold?
40:29No, I just think it's nice.
40:30It's nice all the way I'm doing.
40:31It's quite romantic, isn't it, really?
40:35Yeah.
40:37How's your gin?
40:38Lovely.
40:39You don't judge me, do you, for drinking pink gin?
40:41No.
40:41Or any gin?
40:42No.
40:43Yeah, it was lovely to be on a date
40:45with someone I was comfortable with,
40:47and it flowed so easily.
40:49Like, it would have been a nightmare
40:51if I was with someone that, like, I was chatting my head off
40:53and I just got nothing back.
40:55It would have been really difficult.
40:57Big spoon or small spoon?
40:59Small?
40:59I like big small spoons, eh.
41:01How can you be small spoon?
41:03I don't know, I think there's something nice about being
41:04tradled in bed, I don't know what it is.
41:06Yeah.
41:06Nice.
41:07You never know.
41:10Would you like to see each other again?
41:14Do you want me first, I don't know?
41:16Oh, I don't know.
41:17Yeah.
41:18I want first.
41:19Yeah, I'd like to see you again, yeah.
41:23So...
41:25Oh, I feel terrible.
41:26I'm so excited.
41:27I think you're really nice.
41:28It's all right.
41:29I think you are obviously attractive,
41:32and...
41:34Maybe it was, like, the environment,
41:35but I just felt like I was more with, like,
41:37my friend in the room.
41:38Yeah, of course, yeah.
41:39You can see it.
41:40You're not cold in just a T-shirt?
41:43Er, brave face, mate.
41:44Brave face.
41:45I'm absolutely freezing.
41:47I feel like the only reason I can put it down to you
41:49is because it's nothing to do with you.
41:51It's that I'm just not...
41:52I'm just not ready.
41:54Oh, it's fine you gave it a shot.
41:55It's all nice.
41:56He's really nice, and I feel bad.
41:58I'm just sorry it didn't, you know, work out,
42:00but there's nobody to meet you.
42:02Go on, Seth.
42:02Yeah, you too.
42:03See you later.
42:04Bye.
42:09My mum and dad were so much in love for years from an early age.
42:13My friends would go,
42:14oh, I saw your mum and dad in Barnsley,
42:15they were holding hands,
42:16and they used to always share a toasted fruit,
42:18tea cake in the market.
42:19I mean, you see a lot of that round hole
42:21where they're walking hand in hand.
42:22It's lovely, but they're handcuffed.
42:24That's what it was like, innit?
42:26We had a lot in common,
42:28like, unbelievable amount in common.
42:30He's a really nice guy.
42:33And I'll get the bill.
42:34No, you won't.
42:34No, we're both equals.
42:37No, no, I'll get the bill.
42:41Will you guys see each other again?
42:45I think, yeah, definitely.
42:47Yeah, I think so, yeah.
42:51I'm getting this CC.
42:52You are a gent.
42:53That's a good quality to have.
42:54I just got a bit wet, it's not my card.
42:57Stop it.
42:59We just hit it off straight away with conversation,
43:01didn't we, Debbie?
43:02It's just, from the moment I sat with her at the bar,
43:05I think the only time we stopped
43:06was when Fred came over.
43:08We were saying you could probably come to one of my shows
43:10and sing, but you might have to sing a different song.
43:13Do you know any Elvis?
43:15That's what I got asked the other day, yeah.
43:17I said, I look like Elvis.
43:18I've never had that in my life.
43:21Let's get to bingo.
43:22Let's get to bingo.
43:23What are you, Debbie?
43:23I've got a few dabbas.
43:25A little less conversation,
43:27a little more action.
43:29All this aggravation and satisfaction in me.
43:33A little more bite, a little less spot.
43:35A little less bite, a little more spot.
43:37Close your mouth and open up your heart.
43:39And maybe satisfy me.
43:41Satisfy me, baby.
43:43Maybe close your eyes and listen to the music.
43:46Maybe close your eyes and listen to the music.
44:14Maybe close your eyes,
44:15you bet you can��.
Comments