Channel 4's First Dates returns to screens tonight (Wednesday, October 28) at 10pm, with former Traitors UK winner Meryl Williams among the hopeful singles looking for love. Fred Sirieix will once again open the doors of the luxury restaurant as singletons go on blind dates.
Meryl Williams swaps the roundtable for a table for two
Meryl Williams, who won the first civilian series of The Traitors UK in 2022 alongside Aaron Evans and Hannah Byczkowski, will appear in tonight's episode. The 30-year-old, who was born with achondroplasia, a genetic condition that causes the most common form of dwarfism, is stepping away from the roundtable to find her very own Faithful.
Tonight's synopsis teases: "Then there's Meryl, one of the original Traitors, who is stepping away from the round table to find her very own Faithful. There's just one problem: she has never been on a date before. With nerves running high, flight attendant Tom has his work cut out trying to make Meryl feel at ease."
Viewers react to Meryl's First Dates debut
A preview clip posted earlier this week on social media showed Meryl walking down the street in a red dress as she prepares to meet her date. The caption read: "Swapping the roundtable for a table for two. Brand new series of #FirstDates. Starts Wednesday 28 October at 10pm on Channel 4."
Viewers reacted with excitement, with one person replying: "Oh, I'm looking forward to this! I hope it goes well for you @merylwilliams." Another commented: "I like Meryl and her nana is a fabulously skilled seamstress", as a third added: "Ahhhhh!! Can't wait to watch." A fourth echoed: "Well, that would be a dream come true... Meryl is the quintessence of beauty, inside and out."
On her own social media, Meryl opened up about why she decided to go on First Dates, admitting she wanted to go on her very first date. In the clip, she said she was "so scared" and nervous.
What else to expect in the new series
Also in tonight's episode is a TikToker from Essex, Daniella, known on social media as Danibabes, who has over 400k followers on Instagram and over two million on Instagram. Episodes are expected to drop every week on Wednesdays, with next week's instalment seeing a First Dates first when waitress Cici goes on a date.
Since it first aired in 2013, First Dates has become a firm favourite amongst viewers, with one person previously writing on IMDb: "I've watched all the versions, however I will always go back to the UK version as it is the best. From the moment I watched the first episode of UK First Dates, I was addicted."
Another admitted: "This is by far the best version of first dates and I have seen many others", as a third echoed: "My admiration goes out to those who constantly put themselves in the firing line for rejection, and a massive plus must be the anticipation of the next date and who you shall meet. A great show and well worth watching. 10/10."
First Dates airs tonight at 10pm on Channel 4.
