'I went on First Dates – fans would be taken aback by show secret and who pays for food'

A contestant on the new series of First Dates has given an insight into what really happens off-camera on the renowned TV dating show.

Cormac Boylan, who features on tonight's episode of the Channel 4 programme, spilled some behind-the-scenes secrets to Reach Plc, revealing his preparations for his on-screen date and what happens during filming.

Contrary to what some viewers might suppose, Cormac revealed that the meals aren't paid for by the show; instead, the daters pay for their own food.

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Cormac said: "The First Dates restaurant worked like a normal restaurant and my date split our bill so we both paid for it... I think it's also worth mentioning that it's not scripted at all."

He also pointed out that there are chances for contestants to interact with each other and the production crew.

He elaborated: "Whilst we were waiting to film, we were speaking to other contestants and producers on the show."

In addition to discussing part of the production process, Cormac shared his experience of meeting one of the series' well-known figures, maître d'hôtel Fred Sirieix.

He described Fred, 53, as "an absolute character, really nice, and very talkative and interesting to talk to".

As the latest series of First Dates made its return to British television, the celebrated maître d' has offered some advice on the dos and don'ts of dating.

Fred has also recently discussed how First Dates differs from other dating shows currently on the air.

Speaking to the Telegraph, he explained: "It's about people and the lives people live. Life isn't just one straight line – it's about twists and turns.

"People will talk about betrayal, or the death of a partner, or how they were treated as a child. It's a very entertaining show, and it can be quite funny, but also sad and emotional at times.

"At the heart of it is the true quest for love. This is why, for me, it's the best and most authentic of all dating shows."

In a previous discussion with RadioTimes in 2022, Fred dismissed any comparisons between First Dates and Love Island and how the former is very different to the latter.

He explained: "First Dates isn't that kind of show. It's about two people who don't know each other, who live in different places and sometimes not very far from each other, and they want to meet somebody that they can make a connection with, so that they can spend their life with them.

"It's about that conversation and about finding out whether they have a connection and whether there is chemistry. Chemistry - that's what it's about."