Channel 4 show pulled from air as fans slam sudden schedule shake up

11 January 2024 , 13:47

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A popular Channel 4 show was pulled with no notice (Image: Channel 4)

A huge Channel 4 programme was pulled off air last minute due to "editorial reasons".

First Dates returned earlier this month with a brand new series, with new episodes airing on Tuesday nights at 10pm. However, this week the latest episode was removed from the channel. Reports say the new series was also removed from streaming services. Channel 4 has not expanded on why the episode was removed.

However, the new series is set to resume from next Tuesday (January 16). In a statement, Channel 4 said: "Episodes were removed for editorial reasons and the new series will resume next Tuesday at 10pm." Even First Dates' maître d’ Fred Sirieix was surprised by the move as he admitted he didn't know why the episode wasn't shown.

Fred was also surprised to see the show wasn't on air (Channel 4)

Taking to his social media account, the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! star apologised to fans. He said: "No idea what happened tonight with #FirstDates episode and when it will be aired. Clearly a glitch somewhere. Sorry, as soon as I hear I will let you know x." He then returned to X, formerly known as Twitter, the next day to give an update.

Fred said: "Breaking news #FirstDates episode 2 will go out next Tuesday at 10pm. Then the series will run every week until #Valentine Sorry for the inconvenience last nigh." Fans of the dating show were far from impressed as they missed out on watching the latest episode.

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Taking to social media, one said: "What happened to #FirstDates? I missed the announcement." Another added: "When you wait all day for a new #FirstDates ep in the new restaurant and it's cancelled seconds before 10pm." Someone else commented: "Just spent 30 minutes watching an episode I thought I had watched before."

During the latest series of the hit dating show, two reality stars have already made an appearance. Real Housewives of Cheshire personality Lauren Simon hoped to find love six years after she split from her ex-husband, Paul Simon. Lauren's love life has played out on the ITVBe show and she hoped maitre'd Fred would be able to help her find her happy ever after.

However, as Lauren sat down for her date with Chiles things went downhill as they started discussing their roots, with Lauren explaining she's from Cheshire and Chiles from Manchester. "So what do you do?" he asked, before Lauren, through gritted teeth said: "I think you know what I do." But she was left looking very awkward when Chiles responded: "No? I have no idea. Why? Why would I have guessed? There's a story there, right? I'm very intrigued by what you do, you're very secretive about it."

"I'm a stripper," Lauren responded, leaving Chiles questioning her admission. However, she later went on to say: "I work in the television on the Real Housewives of Cheshire which is highly-publicised in Manchester so I would have assumed you would have known!"

While fellow TV star Aaron Evans also appeared on the new series. The 25-year-old went on to win The Traitors season one alongside fellow Faithfuls Hannah Byczkowski and Meryl Williams.

The Mirror has contacted Channel 4 for comment.

Mia O'Hare