Former Take Me Out Contestant Lifts Lid on Isle of Fernando's Experience
John Harris, a former contestant on ITV's popular dating show Take Me Out, has revealed the reality behind his trip to the iconic Isle of Fernando's, 15 years after appearing on the programme. Hosted by Paddy McGuinness from 2010 to 2019, the show featured single men trying to win over 30 women for a chance at love and a date in the Canary Islands.
The Truth About the Isle of Fernando's
Contrary to its name, the Isle of Fernando's is not a private island but the resort of Puerto de la Cruz in Tenerife. Participants enjoyed luxurious, fast-paced dates, often staying at high-end locations such as the Hotel Botanico and The Oriental Spa Garden. John Harris, who shared his story with the new online bingo brand Zingo Bingo, described the whirlwind nature of the experience.
John said: "Filming was on the Monday, and I flew out on Tuesday morning. We then filmed on Wednesday for the date and flew back on Thursday. I forgot the name of the girl that I chose for my date. I know—it was terrible!"
Behind the Scenes of the Show
Harris explained that participation was completely voluntary, with no fee involved, at least for him. He noted that contestants did not have to pay for flights and received a small amount of expenses for food and other necessities. After successfully impressing the women, he chose to go on a date with a lifeguard named Kerry, but he later confessed to forgetting her name.
The date itself was highly staged. Harris recounted: "I had to be up at 5am the next morning to film my date—I couldn’t remember the girl's name! We had to play tennis on the date, and we had no choice. And then we went out for dinner, but you don’t actually get to eat any of the food. It’s all for display."
Social Dynamics and Aftermath
Despite the pressures, Harris and the other contestants made the most of their time. He said: "When we flew out, we went partying. We were young lads, all staying in separate hotels. We just went out and had loads of fun." Kerry and Harris remained an item for the duration of the trip, but he admitted that while it was "a bit of fun on the telly," she may have wanted something more serious.
After the episode aired, a weekend reunion was organised in Manchester, not affiliated with ITV or the production company. Harris described it as "absolutely crackers," with fancy dress nights and emotional moments, though Kerry was not in attendance. He kept in touch with a few fellow contestants from his series.
This candid account sheds light on the often-glamorised world of reality TV dating shows, highlighting the fast-paced, scripted nature of productions like Take Me Out.
