- 7 hours ago
- #firstdates
- #datingshow
- #realitytv
- #love
This episode of First Dates Season 25, Episode 6, dives into the intricate world of modern dating as singles navigate the complexities of finding a genuine connection. Observe the diverse range of personalities and expectations as potential couples embark on their initial encounters, sharing their hopes and anxieties.
The episode explores the challenges faced by individuals seeking romance in today's fast-paced world. From humorous mishaps to moments of surprising vulnerability, viewers are treated to an authentic look at the dating scene. The key insights revolve around the importance of communication, shared values, and the courage it takes to put oneself out there.
Discover how different individuals approach the crucial first impression and the subtle cues that can make or break a budding relationship. This installment of First Dates offers a compelling narrative on the universal pursuit of love and companionship.
#FirstDates #DatingShow #RealityTV #Love
The episode explores the challenges faced by individuals seeking romance in today's fast-paced world. From humorous mishaps to moments of surprising vulnerability, viewers are treated to an authentic look at the dating scene. The key insights revolve around the importance of communication, shared values, and the courage it takes to put oneself out there.
Discover how different individuals approach the crucial first impression and the subtle cues that can make or break a budding relationship. This installment of First Dates offers a compelling narrative on the universal pursuit of love and companionship.
#FirstDates #DatingShow #RealityTV #Love
Category
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Short filmTranscript
00:03Do you feel a bit rusty, Romance?
00:04Yes, very rustier.
00:06Definitely need a WD for our day.
00:09I need some help.
00:10It's hard out there.
00:12I am very single at the moment.
00:15I've run out of swipes.
00:16I've completed Tinder.
00:19In the heart of Britain's most romantic city...
00:22Aloha!
00:24Fred and his team...
00:25This is Captain Fur Potato.
00:27...are matching hopeful singletons.
00:29We're getting married, Merlin.
00:31...in a place where love is always on the menu.
00:35I've got a bit in your finger.
00:36You didn't go that far down the strip.
00:40These daters...
00:41He probably thinks I'm having a poo or something.
00:43...are searching...
00:46...for the one.
00:49Would you chase me around the bedroom?
00:50Absolutely.
00:51Get your coat.
00:52I'm in.
00:53For some, stepping into the unknown...
00:57...can lead to surprise.
00:59Rising sparks.
01:00I work in the adult industry.
01:02Do you have an office for that?
01:03I have a dungeon.
01:05But finding a connection...
01:07...a love story is about to begin.
01:10Shut up!
01:11...isn't always easy.
01:13Please tell me you actually last longer than three minutes.
01:18Help me!
01:21In the end...
01:22Hi.
01:23...it comes down to one...
01:25...big question.
01:28Would you guys like to see each other again?
01:31This isn't a total quiz, is it?
01:33This is the First Dates Restaurant.
01:44Working in a First Dates Restaurant, you never know who's going to walk through the door.
01:48And that's exciting.
01:49The boys want the girls while the girls want the girls go by.
01:52You see people from all walks of life.
01:55I've been doing burlesque for three years.
01:58I have travelled the world as a singer.
02:01I've spent most of my life studying toilets, talking to people about toilet paper.
02:05Everybody's got a different journey, but it all leads to our door.
02:10This is Aaron.
02:12I'm a huge hopeless romantic.
02:14A social activist and big dreamer, looking for his very own happily ever after.
02:21I've always wanted to get married ever since I was a kid.
02:24I've definitely pictured my wedding day in huge detail.
02:32The way I envision it is just this beautiful evening full of light.
02:36Like a big sort of old house with a double staircase.
02:40And we both come down, looking into each other's eyes.
02:43There will be a Domino's Pizza Buffet.
02:45I just want like a bowl of the garlic sauce.
02:48And like, just like loads of pizzas.
02:53How are you, Aaron?
02:54Yeah, good. How are you?
02:56Lovely to meet you.
02:56Nice to meet you too.
02:57You're excited about it?
02:59Yeah, really excited.
03:00Yeah? You've been single long?
03:02I have to say about like six months.
03:04Just situationship, really.
03:06So things haven't really progressed past that point.
03:08Right. Why not?
03:11I think I'm colourblind, so I don't really see red flags.
03:14I tend to fall hard and fast for people, and I always believe the best in them.
03:18All right, come with me. Let me take you to the bar.
03:20I'd say like, Man of Life is very much like Bridget Jones,
03:23combined with he's just not that into you.
03:26Where have you come from?
03:27Manchester.
03:28Manchester.
03:29How are you single living in Manchester?
03:32Like, seriously, you can't even walk down the street there without somebody trying to talk to you.
03:35Yeah, I think it's just gay culture though as well.
03:37Like, I think a lot of gay people aren't looking for that long term, they're looking for the short term.
03:42So it's a struggle then?
03:43It just seems as soon as you mention commitment, people like, lose their minds.
03:46So what are you looking for? Who are you looking for? How do you like your blokes?
03:51Well, are you asking what my type is?
03:53Yeah.
03:53Um, I do like masculine guys.
03:55I like someone who can be open with their emotions, and just someone that you can really get on with,
04:00you know?
04:01Yeah.
04:03Youth worker by day.
04:06Nightclub host by night.
04:09I made you all right.
04:11Nathan's love life is a total drag.
04:13What do you want to know about Vicky C?
04:18There she is.
04:19She's a beauty.
04:21Oh, she's a beast.
04:23She's literally a more masculine version of me.
04:26If that's even possible.
04:28All right, handsome.
04:29Is it Saturday night fever?
04:31It is Saturday night fever, absolutely.
04:32How are you doing? Nice to meet you.
04:33Very well, you all right?
04:34Love your jacket.
04:35Trendy.
04:36On style.
04:36You're ready for it.
04:37I think so.
04:38Do you find it difficult to meet people?
04:40What's the hurdle?
04:41What's the thing that just...
04:42Time.
04:44Um, confidence, I think.
04:46So...
04:46You don't strike me as somebody who doesn't have confidence.
04:49On the contrary.
04:50Uh, depends on which context you're talking about, I suppose.
04:54I've been single now for over a decade.
04:58I'm working in bars and nightclubs where there's a constant flow of men.
05:02But it's not the right environment to meet someone in a serious capacity, I suppose.
05:09Hook-up culture is rife.
05:11Intimacy is what everybody wants.
05:13Sex is what everyone gets.
05:15Do you know your date as a wife?
05:16Yes.
05:17It's at the bar.
05:18Uh, yeah.
05:18If you just go discreetly like that.
05:21I know I've seen.
05:22You've seen it, yeah?
05:23All right.
05:24Yeah.
05:53This is about to be interesting, Fred.
05:56This is actually, this is crazy.
05:58This is actually crazy.
05:59Hello, buddy.
06:00Hiya, you all right?
06:01Yeah, not bad, not bad.
06:01How's you?
06:03Much more at ease now.
06:04I'm sitting here with a friend.
06:06You know each other?
06:07Yeah.
06:07All right, okay, cool.
06:08Where from and how and why?
06:09Uh, Manchester.
06:11We run in kind of the same social circles, so.
06:13Yeah.
06:15You guys are very lucky.
06:17Because you know the hardest thing to establish in a relationship is trust.
06:20But you've already got that.
06:22Yeah.
06:23All you have to inject is a little va-va-vous.
06:26Va-va-vous?
06:27Yeah, a little romantic je ne sais quoi.
06:29Shall we go to your table?
06:30Absolutely.
06:31To la table?
06:32La table.
06:36Oh, thank you very much, Liz.
06:38Enjoy your date.
06:39Have fun.
06:39Fabulous.
06:40Thank you so much.
06:47Hi.
06:48My name's Tracy.
06:5153.
06:52I'm looking for that special guy out there.
06:55Can't be.
06:59Former mayor Tracy wants someone special to share her favourite place in the world with.
07:07I am from a little town in West Yorkshire called Wakefield, a wonderful town.
07:12It's where I grew up.
07:13I've not lived anywhere else.
07:15So I loved it that much.
07:16I became the mayor.
07:19Good afternoon, Fred.
07:20How are you?
07:21All the better for seeing you.
07:22Thank you so much.
07:23Are you in the mood for love?
07:25I am definitely in the mood.
07:26I'm wearing the colour of love.
07:27Yeah, shall I take your coat?
07:28Oh, that would be wonderful.
07:30I'm not your stereotypical mayor.
07:32I left school with no qualifications.
07:34I drink, I go out with my friends, I go to festivals, I've got a camper van.
07:39What can I get you to drink first?
07:40I would like to have a spicy margarita, please.
07:42A spicy margarita, yes.
07:44Add a little spice to the day, I think.
07:46Yeah, exactly.
07:47Starts with me to go on.
07:49What do you miss about being in a relationship?
07:51Can I say sex?
07:55And tell me, what do you do?
07:56I'm a paramedic.
07:57You're a paramedic?
07:58I am, yes.
07:59Oh, wonderful.
07:59But I've only just become a paramedic.
08:01I was a technician before and worked my way up through the ranks.
08:03So I graduated last year from university.
08:06Congratulations.
08:07The age of 52, you're never too old to go back and learn.
08:10No, you're not.
08:11No.
08:11No, brilliant.
08:11There you go.
08:12Tell me about you and dating then.
08:13Have you dated much?
08:14So, no, not much in the last three years.
08:16Wow.
08:17Yeah, so...
08:17Oh, this is a big day for you?
08:19This is a very big day for me.
08:20Tell me, what are you looking for?
08:21What do you like in a man?
08:23A good sense of humour.
08:24I like people that are kind.
08:25Kind?
08:26Yeah.
08:27Polite.
08:27How do you like them to look?
08:29I've no preference for what we look.
08:31What if it's short?
08:32Well, we're all the same lying down there.
08:37Ready to plunge into his date with Tracy,
08:40toilet roll salesman Stuart is wiped out from his search for love.
08:45Now, scrunching it reduces your surface area, doesn't it?
08:49Whereas if you fold it, you've got a bigger surface area, haven't you?
08:54The average person in an office environment will use a toilet three times a day,
08:58and on average, they will use eight sheets of toilet paper per visit.
09:02But we don't want to talk about toilet paper on a first day.
09:04There's way more exciting things to talk about, isn't there, than that?
09:08Nice to meet you.
09:08And you.
09:09Love your shirt.
09:10You like pink?
09:11No, it's cherry blossom, Fred.
09:13Cherry blossom?
09:13No, I mean pink as a colour.
09:14Oh, yeah, I like pink as a colour.
09:15Brilliant.
09:17How long have you been single?
09:1913 years, three months and 27 days, I think.
09:22Might be 28 days.
09:25I'm at a different point in my life now,
09:27and maybe it's time to re-evaluate my single bubble.
09:30I need someone to come along and try and burst it.
09:33Should I take your jacket?
09:33Yes, please.
09:34No, take that.
09:35It'd be nice to meet someone who's got a lust for life.
09:37Someone confident.
09:38Someone who's comfortable in their own world.
09:41Have a nice day.
09:42Cheers, thank you.
09:43That's an awesome shirt.
09:45I'm Stuart, thank you.
09:46Tracy.
09:47Nice to meet you.
09:48Pleased to meet you.
09:48We're nearly matching, Stuart.
09:49I know.
09:50It's good, isn't it?
09:50You must have got the memo.
09:52I did.
09:53Grand.
09:53I need to put my glasses on, I can't see.
09:55Might not see him.
09:56Yeah.
09:56I can see them.
09:58What are you drinking?
09:59I'm on a spicy margarita.
10:00Oh, nice.
10:02This is Stuart.
10:03He got the memo about matching.
10:04I was going to say.
10:05Look at this.
10:07Joyous.
10:07Look at that shirt.
10:08That's awesome.
10:09What do you do for a living then?
10:11So I sell cleaning products for a living.
10:15All right.
10:16Exciting stuff.
10:16So I spend most of my life in the toilet talking to people about how to use toilet roll, which
10:20is good fun.
10:21It's good.
10:22It's recession-proof.
10:23Yeah.
10:23Yeah.
10:23Yeah, everybody needs it.
10:24It's never going to go out of fashion, is it?
10:26No, not at all.
10:28Hi, Fred.
10:29Can I take this as good as you can?
10:29Yes.
10:30Come with me.
10:34I haven't actually saw any of your shows yet.
10:36Like, obviously, I know that your drag name is Victoria, but...
10:40Yeah, but just pretty much how everyone knows me, to be fair.
10:42What is your actual name, then?
10:43Because obviously, I...
10:44Well, unless it is Victoria.
10:45No, no, no, no.
10:46I'm Nathan.
10:47A lot of people only know me as Vic or Victoria, and she's amazing.
10:53And I could walk down the street as Vic, and everyone knows her, everyone wants to be
10:57her friend.
10:57She's confident.
10:59Mm-hmm.
11:00But underneath it all, Nathan really wasn't.
11:05I will be ghosted so many times when they find out I've done drag, or I do drag.
11:09That's the gay community.
11:10It's brutal.
11:10Yeah, as soon as you were saying that, I was like, wow, like, never talked deeply like
11:14this before.
11:14No.
11:16I've been ghosted so many times.
11:19I think dating's difficult sometimes, because I can't always fully be myself.
11:23I often feel like I'm showing a different version of me, even though they're both me.
11:28I mean...
11:34For me, like, when I meet someone, that's the hardest thing, because it's like, well,
11:38when do I tell someone, you know?
11:40Absolutely.
11:42Has your hair ever caused you problems with dates?
11:46I was getting intimate with a guy, and, you know, they put their hand on my head, and
11:51pulled, and the thing came off.
11:53And they screamed.
11:55I screamed, and I was like, oh, my God, this is, like, one of my worst fears.
11:59And, yeah, and then I did not see them again.
12:01I just sort of, like, ran out of there.
12:03And it's been like that since, you know, I was a kid.
12:05Yeah.
12:06So it started coming out in clumps when I was, like, 12 or 13 at school.
12:09I went to, like, a Catholic school.
12:11That is relevant, because at that point, losing my hair, being gay and stuff as well,
12:16everything was suppressed.
12:17I'd sit in my bed, talk to the ceiling.
12:20Obviously, I'd wish for my hair, but I'd also just wish not to be gay.
12:25I thought my word was going to crumble, but instead I did a TikTok video, posted it, and
12:29actually I got so many messages.
12:31And then I was like, okay, cool.
12:33So maybe being vulnerable is actually a good thing.
12:35It's insane how far I've actually came.
12:39I can't control people's reactions, but I can control how I respond to their behaviours.
12:44I am worthy of love.
12:45I deserve that.
12:46If you don't think that, fine, go and work on yourself.
12:49It's about war paint and armour.
12:51Yeah.
12:51The hair system and drag are the armour to who we are underneath.
12:56But who we are underneath doesn't change.
12:59We're still that same person with the same morals and the same values.
13:03I don't think we would have ever spoke like this before.
13:05It's just really nice to, you know, hear things, be so open about it, you know?
13:09It's a part of me I keep quite quiet, to be honest with you.
13:11I hold myself in a certain way.
13:13I'm very intimidating.
13:14I hold myself uptight and I'm almost very unapproachable.
13:18Almost.
13:26Certain types of toilet paper, the really big rolls, you can pull it out really slowly and
13:31they put it in the toilet so it gets wet and then they flush the toilet and it'll spin
13:34the whole toilet paper off down the toilet.
13:39You know, Cece, some of our older daters today, it feels as if they are really out of practice.
13:45They haven't been dating for so long and they're going back on the horse and they just have
13:50no idea how to do it.
13:51I don't know what to do.
13:52I remember the toilet rolls at school that were like the...
13:55Tracing paper.
13:55Yeah.
13:57I mean, what were we thinking of?
14:00Cost.
14:03Hi, Gorge.
14:04Hello.
14:04How are you?
14:05Hello.
14:05How are we doing?
14:06Fabulous.
14:06Did I hear that you two might know each other?
14:10Yeah, so we are in the same friendship group, believe it or not, but like, I wouldn't say
14:13like, close friends, you know?
14:15So we've been in the rooms together at parties, we've pre-drunk together, we've been to clubs
14:19together, we've, you know, we've done it.
14:21Yeah.
14:21So we know each other socially.
14:25But romantically, you've never explored anything.
14:29Even before.
14:30No.
14:31No, but I think obviously, I don't know how you feel about this, but being on this date,
14:34you know, I'm very much open to getting to know you.
14:37Like...
14:37Absolutely.
14:45Matty, I'm not even joking, mate.
14:47I'm on a date with Victoria.
14:50Like...
14:52What?
14:55Where are you off to?
14:57I'm going to the cellar.
14:57Go to the basement.
14:59Oh, here we go.
15:00Take the lift.
15:02This was not on the bingo card.
15:03Of all the things that I thought might happen, like, this was not...
15:09Anyway, so I'm just giving you a quick update, and yeah, I'll let you know how it goes.
15:14This is so wild!
15:16Whoa!
15:16Sport.
15:17Wow!
15:18Thank you very much, Lee.
15:19This looks awesome.
15:20I'm going to grab you another fork.
15:22Lovely job, thank you.
15:23More than welcome.
15:24So, have you always lived in Wakefield?
15:26Yes.
15:26And my family's still living in Wakefield, so my mum still lives...
15:29My mum and dad are still at the same house that they are.
15:31My kids live close by, so it's just handy.
15:35My daughter was a mental health nurse.
15:37Wow.
15:38So, my eldest is a paramedic, and my youngest works for a layer of disabilities.
15:43We're all in caring professions.
15:45So, how did that come...
15:46Did it just happen by accident, or was everyone kind of just sort of migrated to that?
15:50Well, it's a funny story I'm going to tell you about.
15:56My oldest son, we adopted at birth, because I had him when I was 15.
16:01I kept the pregnancy secret for six months, and then told my parents about it.
16:05Knew that I couldn't look after him at 15, my mum and dad didn't have much money.
16:10It was difficult, more difficult than I thought it would be.
16:14Every year you think about it, every year you think, oh, it's his birthday,
16:17or every year you think, oh, I wonder what he's doing, or what it looks like,
16:19or I hope he's all right.
16:21All I ever wanted what for him to be happy.
16:24And when the law changed, and you were able to find your adopted children
16:28through an intermediary, I paid to find him.
16:31And we met, and everything just clicked into place,
16:33and I got a job with the ambulance service,
16:35and he was already a paramedic with the ambulance service.
16:37Oh, wow.
16:39I know you won't believe this, but it turned out I'd got a job
16:43at the same ambulance station that he was working at,
16:46and he was a paramedic.
16:48And it's lovely to see that he's had such a marvellous upbringing.
16:51Something that I did, it's not that you don't love them,
16:53it's the fact that, you know, you can't give them everything they need at that age.
16:57So he's had a lovely life, and I'm super proud of him.
17:01We all just melded into one big family.
17:03It was obviously, like you say, it was meant to be.
17:05Yeah, yeah.
17:06There was a song there somewhere.
17:07There is, there is.
17:15Good game.
17:16I think that was a tie.
17:17There is no way, there is no way that was a tie, but good game.
17:21I'm trying to be a better loser, OK?
17:23That's OK.
17:27Hi.
17:27Ready?
17:3327-year-old Verity is a barber who's looking for a man whose love won't fade.
17:40I get really mixed reactions from lads when I tell them I'm a barber.
17:45The weirdest chat-up line is just got to be like,
17:49when are you cutting my hair then?
17:51And I'm like, never know.
17:52You've just ruined it.
17:54Said I'm gonna make you look.
17:56Hi.
17:57Hey, how are you, Verity?
17:58I'm good, thank you.
17:59Tell me, what do you do for a living?
18:00So I am a barber.
18:02Are you?
18:03Do you meet anybody in the salon?
18:06My day in life at the moment is literally non-existent.
18:10I don't really approach men.
18:12It's not even about length of rejection.
18:13I just think I'm just scared.
18:16I just can't do it.
18:18How are you feeling?
18:19Yeah, I'm nervous.
18:20So when was the last time you were dating?
18:22It's been like months, really, yeah.
18:24Yeah, so it's gonna be fun.
18:25And how do you like your guys to look?
18:27I like a, like, tall, dark and handsome.
18:29Yeah, and I like a trendy guy as well.
18:32Just like a happy, easy-going person.
18:35Yeah, happy-tappy.
18:36I want someone that's, like, sweet and gentle with me
18:39and confident, not cocky.
18:41I love, like, dark hair.
18:44Like a nice, neat beard.
18:46I like them tall.
18:49Verity's date is six-foot-five Mancunian coach driver, Liam.
18:55Have you ever been to London?
18:56Nope.
18:56This is the thirdest you've ever been?
18:58Yeah, thirdest self, yeah.
18:59Because I'm from Manchester, like, everything's there.
19:01I only go north, so I never come down.
19:04As far as I've got a nosebleed coming this far.
19:06But this is how far you'll travel for love.
19:09Yeah, exactly, yeah.
19:10You can only get one shot at the door.
19:11You can go as far as you can go.
19:13Nice to see you.
19:14Nice to see you.
19:15Love your haircut.
19:16Oh, cheers.
19:17Yeah.
19:18My ideal woman would be confident, funny, charming.
19:22Same as me.
19:23Just someone with my energy.
19:25Just happy.
19:27Enjoy.
19:27Good luck.
19:29Hi, are you all right?
19:30Hi, are you all right?
19:31Sorry, I didn't realise it was you coming over.
19:34Oh, you've got a strong accent.
19:35And what's all of you?
19:36How about?
19:37Like, Leeds?
19:38Manchester.
19:39Oh, really, sorry, I've gone too far.
19:41Hey, sir.
19:42How are you?
19:42Can I get a single pink gin and lemonade, please?
19:44A pink gin and lemonade, yeah, sure thing.
19:46I'm a bit of a feminine drinker.
19:48No, that's fine.
19:49Do you like wine?
19:50Not really, not.
19:51Don't taste nice.
19:53You can't tell me that taste nice.
19:55Yeah, I think it does.
19:57All our drink is, like, white wine, yeah.
19:59Obviously not, like, every minute of every day, but, like, yeah.
20:02No, pink gin.
20:03What's your name, sorry?
20:04Liam.
20:05Liam.
20:05And Verity.
20:06Verity?
20:07Yeah.
20:07Nice.
20:07Oh, over and over.
20:08Yeah.
20:09Look lovely.
20:11What do you think of Bath?
20:13It's nice.
20:13This is the furthest South I've ever been.
20:15Really?
20:15Have you been to, like, London the war?
20:17No.
20:17You've never been to London?
20:19I mean, I'd like to go.
20:21Maybe you could tell me.
20:23Maybe.
20:26I remember the first time I met you.
20:29Oh, now you're going to tell me.
20:30I would say, like, a coconut, because, like, obviously, really hard shell, like...
20:36I've never been a competitor of coconut.
20:38But I see your point.
20:40Yeah.
20:41Ridiculously hard exterior.
20:42And I do.
20:43I'm aware that I hold myself in a certain kind of way.
20:46I don't want to be vulnerable.
20:48Why do you feel like you can't be vulnerable anymore?
20:53Because, yeah, because, um...
20:55I don't want to go through the things I've been through again.
20:58Men are horrid.
21:00The last serious relationship I had...
21:04Um, was a very long time ago.
21:06And I think I was very much...
21:08So desperate to be loved by somebody that...
21:12I was sucked into this relationship with this boy...
21:17..who was just not a very nice person.
21:21He really broke me...
21:23..because of how awful he really was.
21:29I don't think I've been ready to trust anyone again since him.
21:34Why did you come on this, then?
21:37Nearly 40 years old, and I genuinely can say that I don't think I've ever been in love.
21:42How hard is that?
21:43I think it might seem hard, but also, you said yourself, you know, that you find it really hard to
21:49be vulnerable.
21:50Then maybe you just haven't been vulnerable with the right person.
21:53Yeah, maybe that.
21:55Then I am a Taurus, so...
21:57Mmm!
21:58So our signs do match, actually.
21:59Do they?
22:00Yeah.
22:00I'll have to do a tarot card reading for you at some point, then.
22:03Did you do one before today?
22:05So I did one yesterday.
22:06So what did they say?
22:07So the two of cups means the beginning of a relationship.
22:11Nine of cups is the fulfilment of an emotional wish.
22:15That, I do feel, describes the situation.
22:18Well, I hate to say it, but I think your card's read this day perfectly.
22:23Because that sounds pretty accurate.
22:31So what sort of food do you like?
22:33Um, I like Mexican, Indian, Italian, Chinese.
22:40Yeah, pretty much everything, then.
22:41Yeah, yeah.
22:42I'd be better if I ask you, then, what don't you like?
22:44Custard.
22:46You don't like custard?
22:47No.
22:47Why not?
22:48I've got a proper phobia about custard.
22:50Have you?
22:51It's a little bit weird, I know.
22:53So you're scared of custard?
22:54Yeah, so I've got a...
22:56I once bit into a donut with that custard in it and birthed into tears.
23:00Oh, wow.
23:01Yes.
23:02I do love a custard donut.
23:06And what made you decide to pick this, then?
23:09Oh, there's a number of reasons.
23:11So three years ago, I got diagnosed with a brain tumour.
23:14Wow.
23:15Because of where it was, it had paralysed me down the left-hand side.
23:17So I went in in January 23 for my first stop.
23:23And they thought it had all been quite successful.
23:25And then in May of 23, they started talking to me about chemo and radiotherapy,
23:29which scares the bejesus out of me.
23:32And when they started talking about radio and chemo,
23:34they started talking about two years of life.
23:36So I was like, ooh, shit.
23:40So that's prompted my move back to Leeds.
23:42Yeah.
23:42My parents are close to there, and so is my brother.
23:44Yeah.
23:45So, yeah, so when I got to Leeds, they were brilliant,
23:47because they were, no, what we'll do is,
23:48we don't like radio, we don't like chemo,
23:49we'll crack you up again and we'll take it out.
23:51So I was like, all right, great.
23:52Okay.
23:52So they did that in Jan 24.
23:54Yeah.
23:55And now they're talking about ten years of life.
23:57Well, sorry, ten years treatment-free now.
23:59I suppose I'm resetting my life.
24:01Yeah, I thought, why not put myself out there and live a little bit?
24:06Before, it's kind of, you know,
24:07it's like you used to think about your retirement
24:08and getting your pension right and stuff like that.
24:10I don't care about any of that anymore.
24:11Yeah.
24:11So it's all about, no, let's just go out and live life
24:13and have some really good experiences.
24:15Absolutely.
24:16Definitely a life-changing moment.
24:19Sorry, I didn't ask how old are you.
24:22Oh, I'm not allowed to answer that.
24:23Yeah.
24:24I'm nearly 50.
24:25Oh, wow.
24:25I have to keep reminding myself of that.
24:27What are you going to do for your 50?
24:29Don't know yet.
24:30I haven't decided.
24:3350, it's a big thing.
24:34You need to do something spectacular.
24:37Yeah, it is.
24:38You made it to 50.
24:39Woo!
24:39You made it to 50.
24:42I can't believe you're 6'5".
24:44I'm 5'4".
24:45Yeah, are you?
24:46Yeah, you're over a foot taller than me.
24:48It's like a whole Subway sandwich, yeah?
24:49I know, yeah, you actually are.
24:50Yeah, whole Subway sandwich.
24:53You actually are.
24:54That is crazy.
24:59As a queer person, Manchester has everything I've wanted.
25:05Mm-hmm.
25:07Well, it's interesting you say that as well, because I feel like me and you are a little bit on
25:10the opposite end of the spectrum.
25:12Not sexuality-wise, but I think for me, I've always struggled to have, like, gay friends, just because I feel
25:19like the community can be quite difficult.
25:22So, and also, like, quite judgmental.
25:24And also, then you've got the side of, like, trying to make a relationship work in Manchester's gay scene.
25:29Yeah, there's a lot of promiscuity on the scene.
25:32Hook-up culture is rife.
25:36And it's great for the there and thens.
25:42You know, we won't knock it.
25:44I've never had a hook-up.
25:45Ever.
25:46Have you not?
25:46No.
25:48Okay.
25:51Can I open it now?
25:52Yeah.
25:54Hiya.
25:55Hi.
25:57Yes, please.
25:58Could we get the check, please?
25:59Absolutely.
26:00We'll bring it over to you guys.
26:02Do you want to see each other again romantically?
26:07Do you want to be the big brave boy and say it?
26:09Go on, then.
26:09Rather than putting you on the spot.
26:11For me, no.
26:13This is such a wonderful friendship.
26:14And I felt like I've got to know you so much deeper this evening in a way that is so
26:20lovely, but not romantically.
26:22Mm-hmm.
26:24Let me just grab that out.
26:25Spin it.
26:26Yeah?
26:26That's what was really beautiful about tonight, actually, because it was the first time we've
26:30really engaged on a deep level outside of, you know, just the only thing that we had
26:34in common was being gay, because the group chat is called Gays R Us.
26:39Gays R Us.
26:40Yeah.
26:41It's 100% on you.
26:42Mine's not working.
26:45So is there definitely no way you two would consider each other?
27:15I mean, I'm not ruling it out.
27:18I already googled it and found it.
27:19Love it.
27:20So should we go out and get six pints in this?
27:26Next question.
27:32I think love is being able to be silent together and that that's okay.
27:38That you are both enough for each other so that therefore you don't have to fill the space with talking
27:45and words.
27:45Imagine you being quiet.
27:47LAUGHTER
27:50What can I get you?
27:52Can we have the Korean fried chicken?
27:54Yep.
27:55The gambas pil-pil.
27:56Yep.
27:56And the potato sababas.
27:58We'll get some seasoned fries as well.
27:59Yeah, we'll get some chips as well then.
28:01Yeah, we'll get some seasoned fries.
28:02Yeah, seasoned fries.
28:02Yeah, seasoned fries.
28:03No problem.
28:04It would be like your ideal first day.
28:07Probably something like this with her, like having some drinks, like food.
28:10I like doing fun stuff as well, you know, like going bowling and like crazy golf and stuff like that.
28:15I do like this.
28:16I like I'm going to sit down and drink and food and try new foods as well.
28:20I quite like that.
28:21Yeah.
28:21I'm going to try these prawns.
28:23I've got these before.
28:23What are you going to do if you don't like it?
28:25I like it.
28:26What if you don't?
28:27No, I'll put on a brave face.
28:30Like me.
28:31Oh, it's so nice.
28:32Cheers.
28:34Cheers.
28:35So, like, I have a question for you, right?
28:38Where do you think I'm from?
28:41Newcastle.
28:43So, I sound like I am, but I'm not.
28:46Sunderland?
28:46No.
28:47Sunderland?
28:48No.
28:49I'm bad with accents, though.
28:50No, you're right, like, with the accent, like, it's a northeast accent.
28:53No, no, no, no.
28:54But I'm, like, I'm from, like, the Midlands.
28:58So, this is a video of my old accent.
28:59I sound, like, so different.
29:02So, this is the colour of it after I've stripped it.
29:06I'm going to put the dark blonde on it and see what happens.
29:12I can't believe that that's how you sound.
29:15It's a really strange feeling.
29:17I have a brain disorder which caused my accent to change.
29:21Oh, really?
29:22Yes.
29:22Where did it come from?
29:23Yeah, so I have something called foreign accent syndrome.
29:26Right.
29:27October 2023, I had, like, one of the worst migraines of my life.
29:32And when I woke up, I couldn't speak.
29:35And as it was, like, starting to come back,
29:38I could just tell that I didn't sound like me.
29:41Got diagnosed with functional neurological disorder,
29:45which is where, like, my brain and nervous system
29:47isn't connected properly, which causes, like, malfunctions.
29:51Sometimes I have to wear hearing aids
29:53because if my brain's malfunctioning on that certain day,
29:55I can't hear properly.
29:56It's really, like, affected my life massively.
29:59And then I end up with, like, a different accent, so...
30:03Only person.
30:04Yeah, literally.
30:06Yeah, it was a bit crazy, so...
30:08And, like, I just don't think people knew how to deal with it.
30:10Not a lot of people do, though, do they?
30:12No.
30:12I don't think I would, either.
30:15I don't want to get hurt.
30:16I don't want to fall in love with somebody
30:19and then they can't deal with how poorly I am.
30:23And I think that's why I've just kind of, like,
30:24pushed people away before.
30:27I feel like no-one's going to want me, yeah.
30:31I'm under, like, different neurologists and consultants and that,
30:34and, like, yeah, it's a bit crazy.
30:36Yeah, that's...hey.
30:38That's what makes you, you.
30:39Yeah, that's true. That is very true.
30:52If you're looking for trouble...
30:54Here, hoping to collar a man tonight,
30:57is burlesque dancer Double D, a.k.a. Deborah.
31:03Double D, it's like a cheeky reference to Double D,
31:07but I'm not actually a Double D anymore, so...
31:11Hello.
31:12How are you?
31:13I'm good, thank you.
31:15You're looking great.
31:16Have you been on many dates recently?
31:18No.
31:18No?
31:19Not for a long, long time.
31:21I've been single for six years.
31:23If I've been in town with my friend,
31:25I could go in pubs and probably get three different men's numbers
31:30and then message them, and then no reply,
31:32because half of them are married.
31:34Well, look, you're in the right place, though.
31:35I know.
31:36You're the first to arrive.
31:37Good.
31:37You can have a good look at your date when you enhance.
31:40Okay, yeah.
31:40Because you'll be sitting here.
31:43Enjoy. See you later.
31:44Thank you, Fred. Hello.
31:45Hi.
31:46Welcome.
31:46Firstly, can I get you a drink?
31:48Of course, yeah.
31:48I've been waiting all day for this drink.
31:50Can I have an Aperol spritz, please?
31:52An Aperol spritz.
31:53Coming up.
31:55I'm a not-to-a-hundred girl.
31:57Not, I don't fancy them at all, or a hundred.
32:00I'm there both feet.
32:02And how do you like your men to look?
32:04Erm, normally tall, dark, handsome.
32:06Oh?
32:07I'm definitely a groupie.
32:10I just love men that entertainers or singers.
32:14I love Adamant.
32:20I like a man to know his own style and his own taste and not just be run-of-the
32:27-mill.
32:27Prince Charming.
32:29Prince Charming.
32:29Deborah's Prince Charming is Lee, a professional singer hoping to turn his solo performance
32:35into a duet.
32:37Do you have any sort of wild stories from travelling the world or anything like that?
32:41I did turn up at one booking, erm, I had my name on the poster, erm, and it said one
32:47for the ladies, and it was about a hundred nurses, and they thought I was a stripper.
32:56How are you?
32:57Hi, Fred.
32:57Nice to meet you.
32:58Very smart.
32:59Yeah, you too.
32:59I love your jacket.
33:01Yeah, really cool.
33:02Have you been on many dates before?
33:05Not very good ones.
33:07People think because you have a microphone and the career that I do that you're really,
33:12really confident, but I'm very, very shy, and I never, ever really approach women.
33:18Your date has arrived.
33:18She's at the bar.
33:19Oh, nice one.
33:20Go with me.
33:22Here we are.
33:23Enjoy your date.
33:24Hi.
33:24Hi, all right.
33:25Lee, what's your name?
33:26Debbie.
33:26Nice to meet you, Debbie.
33:27And you?
33:28Where are you from?
33:29Barnsley.
33:29Barnsley, from what?
33:31Have you been on holiday?
33:32No, erm, I went on the sunbed last month.
33:35Oh, okay.
33:36You've got a nice cup.
33:38What's that?
33:40April Spritz.
33:41I'll have one of them, please, Mellie.
33:42Sure.
33:44Barnsley, yeah.
33:44I've been up there a few times.
33:45I've been to Gorba Road.
33:47The working men's club?
33:49Yeah.
33:49Oh, that's where I go.
33:50Oh, is it?
33:51Yeah.
33:51I go to burlesque classes.
33:54Oh, what, you do burlesque?
33:56Yeah.
33:56Oh, good on ya.
33:57Good for body confidence.
33:58It is.
33:59Yeah.
34:00What were you doing at Gorba, then?
34:01Were you performing?
34:03Yeah.
34:03Not a stripper, though, like people think.
34:05No.
34:05Singer.
34:06What do you sing?
34:08My favourite is, like, Andrea Bocelli.
34:10Alright.
34:11So I like my classical.
34:12Put you anything from fifties to chart.
34:16I like your jacket, by the way.
34:17And your jeans.
34:18So this is my son's.
34:19Is it?
34:20Yes, Fred.
34:21How are you doing?
34:22Are you ready to go through to the table?
34:23Yeah.
34:24Ready when you are, yeah?
34:25Yeah.
34:25Come with me.
34:28What about travelling?
34:30What about travelling?
34:30What about travelling?
34:32I've been anywhere for a while.
34:34I want to go travelling, but I travel a lot with work.
34:36Yeah.
34:37But it's nice to go with someone.
34:39Yeah, it is.
34:39It makes a difference.
34:40I think that's one of the things I've missed.
34:42I've just been travelling.
34:43I've got a camper van and I've just been in France and Spain with a friend and all the things.
34:49I don't like sitting on the beach.
34:51I'm not into that.
34:54I hide from the sun because I just burn, so...
34:56Oh.
34:56Yeah.
34:57I love the sunshine.
35:00Yeah, Tracy's lovely.
35:02She's a very interesting person.
35:04See, the fact she's retrained to be a paramedic, that's a proper job.
35:07I mean, I saw bloody cleaning products for a living.
35:09She's out saving lives every day.
35:11Kind of puts things in perspective, doesn't it?
35:14Yeah, we won't make it fair.
35:15No, we won't.
35:16I'll arm wrestle you for it.
35:18Go on, then.
35:18Go on, then.
35:19I'm not going to lose.
35:21Oh, thank you so much.
35:26Would you guys like to see each other again?
35:30Am I going first?
35:32Why not?
35:33Ladies first.
35:34It's the rules, isn't it?
35:35I think I had a really nice time, but I don't think we're actually at the right place for each
35:41other at this moment in time.
35:43Thank you for that.
35:44Yep.
35:45Cheers.
35:45Cheers, yep.
35:47No, I don't disagree with you.
35:48I think that, yeah, completely unsung that.
35:51And, yeah, my life is kind of in a strange place at the moment.
35:54I love that your coat is matching.
35:56God, this whole pink thing is amazing.
35:58I'll tell you the funny facts about me.
36:00I used to be the mayor.
36:01Did you?
36:02Yeah.
36:02Of where?
36:03Wakefield.
36:04Wow.
36:04That's awesome.
36:06I could have got involved with royalty.
36:08Yeah.
36:09That's nuts.
36:12Oh, we got a little bit of bow-tie fixing today.
36:15There we go.
36:16Thank you very much.
36:19I had some Malibu and Cokes last night to try and calm the nerves.
36:24Was you in the gutter?
36:25Yeah.
36:27I felt drunk.
36:28See, I don't drink at gigs.
36:31I never get nervous.
36:32Yeah.
36:33Yeah.
36:34Nerves.
36:37Here we go.
36:38Your sea bath.
36:40Your steak.
36:43Is that done?
36:44Can I take that?
36:44Yes, thank you.
36:47Well, that looks really nice.
36:51So, have you been married before, Debbie?
36:53Yeah, for 28 years.
36:55Just once?
36:56Yeah.
36:57Yeah.
36:57But see, I've never been married.
36:58I've been engaged five times over the years.
37:02That's a lot of money on engagement rings.
37:04It is, when you don't get them back.
37:06Well...
37:06I look at past relationships and think, yeah, maybe if I'd done this and done that, not put
37:12myself and my career first and my work, I probably would have been still in some of
37:18them relationships now.
37:22I've got a lot of regrets about my past, because I've missed a lot of my children growing up.
37:30My daughter, at the moment, is living with me Wednesday to Monday, because she started
37:35working for my son.
37:36It's been really nice, actually, having her there.
37:40I've really missed her.
37:42She's amazing.
37:44They both are.
37:45I've been very lucky with my children.
37:48My son's just told me a couple of weeks ago he's going to have, they're having a baby.
37:53So, he keeps calling me granddad.
37:56I'm in my 50s now, and it's, you sort of look and you think, it's just nice to have
38:00that someone next to you.
38:01When my daughter first started going on holiday with her friends, I'd cry for nearly a week
38:06while she was awake.
38:07Yeah.
38:08Because we're so close, all of us.
38:10Yeah.
38:10They're so lovely together, and when we're all together, we just all get on and have fun.
38:14Yeah.
38:15And make fun of each other.
38:17That's what my son's like.
38:18My son's very much like me.
38:19He's very witty, very sarcastic, loves wound-ups.
38:22I think I'm lucky my children have got good hearts.
38:25They're good people, and that's all you can ask for.
38:27That's a blessing, isn't it?
38:33OK, there is your gambas.
38:38I've got your potatoes bravas.
38:41Amazing, thank you.
38:42And I have your Korean chicken.
38:47How is your day in history?
38:49I feel like my health's had a lot of, like...
38:52Impact on it?
38:53Yeah.
38:53Cos, like, the last couple of people I've been with, it's only been, like, a few months.
38:56Mm.
38:57How was yours?
38:58I've only ever had, like, one serious relationship in my life.
39:01Mm.
39:01And that ended, like, about a year ago.
39:03Mm.
39:04As a kid, you kind of think, oh, by the time I'm this age, I'll have a family, I'll have
39:09a house, I'll have a dog, a car.
39:11So I think turning 30, I would like to share the next half of my life with someone.
39:17My friends are pretty much settled down with missus and getting houses and stuff like that.
39:21To be fair, I'm the same, like, most of my friends are married, they've got kids, and I'm just like...
39:26Yeah, yeah, yeah.
39:27Winging life.
39:57Yeah, I'm like, aw.
39:57My friends, it's quirky.
39:58Oh, thank you.
39:59No, it's nice, obviously, cos, like, being a barber, I know what I said.
40:02Yeah, yeah, yeah.
40:03Can't wait for them free trims.
40:05They're gonna be brilliant.
40:06Every four days I wanna fade.
40:07Yeah.
40:08No, four dears.
40:09Every four days.
40:10No, five's the minimum.
40:17Hello, Fred.
40:18So, um, my little finger tells me that you are a singer.
40:22Yes.
40:22So what are you saying, then?
40:24Let's go, let's put it on the show.
40:26What, I've got to sing?
40:28Well, you're a singer.
40:28Just a couple of verses.
40:30Alright, let's go.
40:30Could you find a movie?
40:52Where does it go?
40:54Did you hear there?
40:58Who would you have liked You?
41:00Yeah
41:07Wow, that was amazing
41:10Fabulous, thank you
41:13That was brave honestly and physically she is
41:18Total respect to see Debbie for
41:21Burlesque, I just love dancing
41:23Most people are like wow. I don't know if you've got the guts
41:27I'm more worried about getting the dance right the end bit you beat yourself up when you watch it back
41:32And you're thinking I went wrong on that bit and it was like well nobody knew because only you know
41:37what you're doing
41:37Exactly, exactly
41:40I'm really
41:42Not a confident person
41:46When I was younger I was bullied at school and I'm and I was bullied in my marriage a lot
41:51And I feel like I can't change who I am
41:58When you've been married as long as I was it takes a while for the mist to clear and for
42:03you to realize who you are and
42:04What you actually want from life?
42:07The burlesque it's more of a cabaret so we have like a singer and we have all different things I
42:13can't sing
42:15Everybody can sing Debbie. I can sing it's not a good song
42:18Everybody can see what I do is I get the karaoke I wiggle a lot so it distracts them from
42:23the sound of my voice
42:28Now I'm happy in my life and I don't want to stop what I'm doing I want something to bring
42:32something to my life
42:34I would love to be swept off my feet
42:36I'd like somebody that's really good fun
42:43Are you cold?
42:45No, I actually think it's nice
42:46It's nice the one we're going to talk
42:48It's quite
42:50Romantic isn't it really?
42:52Yeah
42:53How's your gin?
42:55Lowly
42:55You don't judge me do you for drinking pink gin?
42:58No
42:58Or any gin?
42:59No
43:01No
43:01Yeah, it was lovely to be on a date with someone I was comfortable with and it flowed so easily
43:06Like it would have been a nightmare if I was with someone that like I was chatting weird off and
43:11I just got nothing back
43:13It would have been really difficult
43:14Big spoon or small spoon?
43:17Small?
43:17I like big small spoon
43:19Are you? How can you be small spoon though?
43:21I don't know, I think there's something nice about being trade or embed, I don't know what it is
43:24Yeah
43:24It's nice
43:25You never know
43:28Would you like to see each other again?
43:32Do you want me first, I don't know?
43:35I don't mind
43:37I've got folks
43:38Okay
43:39Yeah, I'd like to see you again, yeah
43:43So...
43:44Oh, I feel terrible, I'm so sorry
43:46I think you're really nice
43:48It's alright
43:48I think you are obviously attractive and
43:53Maybe it was like the environment but I just felt like I was more with like my friend in a
43:58way
43:58Yeah, of course, yeah
43:58I can see it
44:00You're not cold in just a t-shirt?
44:03Ah, brave face, mate
44:04Brave face
44:04I'm absolutely freezing
44:07I feel like the only reason I could put it down to you because it's nothing to do with you
44:12Is that I'm just not, I'm just not ready
44:14It's fine, you gave it a shot
44:15It's all I'm honest
44:16He's really nice and I feel bad
44:19I'm just sorry it didn't work out but it was lovely to see you again
44:23Sorry, get on, Seth
44:23Yeah, you too
44:24See you later
44:25Bye!
44:30My mum and dad were so much in love for years from an early age
44:34My friends would go, oh I saw your mum and dad in Barnsley, they were holding hands and they used
44:38to always share a toasted fruit tea cake in the market
44:41I mean you see a lot of that round hole where they're walking hand in hand, it's lovely but they're
44:45handcuffed
44:46That's what it was like, innit?
44:49We had a lot in common, like unbelievable amount in common, he's really nice guy
44:55And I'll get the bill
44:56No you won't
44:57No, no, we're both equals
44:59No, no, I'll get the bill
45:04Will you guys see each other again?
45:08I think, yeah, definitely
45:10Yeah, I think so, yeah
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