FIRST DATES HEADS TO THE MEDITERRANEAN FOR BEACH CLUB SPIN-OFF ON CHANNEL 4

Channel 4 has commissioned First Dates Beach Club, a new dating series from Twenty Twenty productions, the makers of BAFTA-winning series First Dates. The 8 part documentary series will put a fresh spin on the iconic dating show and is set to film in a glamorous Mediterranean beach location next summer.

The commissioning news follows the success of last year’s First Dates 10th anniversary series, which achieved the highest streaming numbers the show has ever seen. First Dates Beach Club will bring together singletons looking for love in a picturesque beachside setting, where the idyllic views and relaxed holiday vibes promise the perfect backdrop for discovering new romance.

Fred Sirieix and Merlin Griffiths will return to take part in the ultimate summer of love, and alongside the First Dates team will witness sparks of chemistry and the unpredictable surprises that come with finding the one.

The series promises to deliver the heartwarming and entertaining moments that have made First Dates one of the UK’s most beloved dating shows, but with the added sparkle of a sun-soaked holiday atmosphere and several fresh format twists to follow singles on their journeys to finding love during their stay.  

Rita Daniels, Commissioning Editor said: “The Sun and sea is undoubtedly going to give this brand-new concept the ultimate sizzle. I can’t wait to see the beach time antics of our hopeful daters. I’m sure under the watchful eye of our fantastic First Dates team we will be able to witness first hand our brand new lovers embracing the romance and watching the sun set on a stunning Mediterranean beach.”

Creative Director at Twenty Twenty James O’Reilly said: "We can’t wait to bring First Dates to the beach with Channel 4. The warmth, charm and chemistry that viewers love about First Dates is still at the heart of the show, but we’re taking it to a whole new level with sun, sea, and a touch of holiday romance. After ten years of matchmaking, First Dates Beach Club offers a fresh and exciting evolution of the much-loved series, with some new twists to the format designed especially for success on streaming.”

Previously filmed at restaurant locations in the UK, across Bath, London and Manchester, First Dates has run on Channel 4 for 22 series and become one of the UK’s best-loved and most watched series since it first aired in 2013. First Dates Hotel, which has seen three series on Channel 4 since launching in 2017, has seen daters in search of a soulmate travel to luxurious hotels in France and Italy.

First Dates has received a string of awards and nominations and has seen local versions launched in over 20 territories around the world. Maître d’ Fred Sirieix and his team have helped match up hundreds of couples in that time, leading to a host of engagements, marriages and even a baby. 

Filming will take place in the summer of 2025, with further information shared in due course.