A new series of popular Channel 4 dating show First Dates, starring Fred Sirieix, is set to begin this week.

After making the switch last season, series 22 of First Dates will once again take place in the UK's most romantic city - Bath.

Siriex will return as restaurant maître d’ after featuring on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here at the back end of 2023.

While Bartender Merlin Griffiths and waitress Cici Coleman will also feature in the new series along with several new faces.

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What to expect from the new series of First Dates

A new batch of singletons are set to feature as they go on blind dates in their search for love.

Griffiths, speaking to PA media recently, said to expect a "fascinating bunch of daters" this series.

He said: "An absolutely fascinating bunch of daters… unique, and wonderful, and some of the most interesting people I have met working on First Dates, ever.

"I think we look for interesting stories, ways to connect, and sort of present the full gamut of human life, and the way that we love and the way that we fall in love.

"You have to wait and see, just watch it and you’ll see what I mean. Genuinely rich and wonderful people."

Siriex added there was one couple that was particularly memorable to keep an eye out for.

He said: "They were kind of shy and a little cagey during their date, but they really liked each other.

"And I was staying in a hotel while I was filming there, and guess who I see the next day? This man and this woman!

"She had just come out of the shower, her hair was wet, and they were having a nice breakfast, talking and laughing and giggling and all that.

"I came up to the table and said: ‘Hi, so it worked!’"

First Dates cast

Fred Sirieix will once again return as maître d’ of First Dates with help from bartender Merlin Griffiths and waitress Cici Coleman.

They will be joined by Francesca Martu from spin off series First Dates Hotel and several new faces including:

  • Kofi Yeboah-Mensah
  • Aoife Smyth
  • Jamie McCleave

Fred Siriex (centre), Merlin Griffiths (left of centre) and Cici Coleman (right of centre) will be returning for another series of First Dates.Fred Siriex (centre), Merlin Griffiths (left of centre) and Cici Coleman (right of centre) will be returning for another series of First Dates. (Image: Channel 4)

Siriex added: "We have new staff members, really cool people who've really integrated within the team very quickly.

"They were fun to work with and very professional. But the main change is that we were in Bath - all that history and all that good energy there.

"The vibe was incredible, I can't tell you how incredible it was. I really loved it and to be reunited with Francesca was lovely."

About the new First Dates restaurant in Bath

First Dates has previously been filmed in restaurants in London and Manchester.

For the show's tenth anniversary First Dates will be filmed in Bath - recently voted the UK’s most romantic and most beautiful city.

The restaurant being used for the new series is The Botanist Bath.

The Botanist is housed in the extraordinary Octagon Chapel, a grade II listed building built in 1767.

The building is steeped in history and was originally a church frequented by author Jane Austen, according to Channel 4.

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Sireiex said the decision to move to Bath for the new series was "the best decision we've made".

He added: "For me, it felt like the best ever First Dates that we've had in 10 years. It was just really beautiful and magical."

When does the new series of First Dates start?

The new series of First Dates begins on Channel 4 on Tuesday (August 6) at 10pm.