Inside First Dates stars' love lives off camera - secret fiancée to mean exes

30 August 2023 , 09:34

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A look at First Date stars' love lives

First Dates is best known for setting those up who are looking to find love.

There are some recognisable faces on the show, with those who work at the First Dates restaurant becoming staples on our screens. Away from TV they have love lives of their own - some going a bit more smoothly than others. However, they continue to be relatable by sharing their own journeys of finding love.

Some have gone on to find their special someone, get married and have children, whereas others continue to go solo. Here's a look inside the First Date stars' own love lives.

Laura Trott

Laura Trott is best known for being a waitress on First Dates and announced in August 2023 that she had given birth to a baby boy.

Laura got married in Devon (instagram.com/lauratott__)

Laura has had her first baby (instagram.com/lauratott__)

The waitress who then trained as a paramedic, revealed the happy news as she shared a sweet clip of her son in his cot to the backdrop of Eva Cassidy's Songbird. She captioned the post: "He’s here.. Leo Clarke 28/08/23." Laura tied the knot with her mystery partner in 2022 in a sweet ceremony in Devon.

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Cici Coleman

Waitress Cici Coleman has been open about not having the best relationships in the past. In 2020 she told Pete Wicks on FUBAR Radio: "I’ve dated absolute a***holes and then there’s been some lovely ones, but I have learned lessons from each one of them."

Cici has been open about her love life (Channel 4)

Cici is thought to be single (Instagram/ @cici_coleman_)

Cici has said in the past that she used dating apps and said that being on First Dates adds pressure to her love life. She told the Express: "I'm not just putting all of my energy into dating, I'm putting energy into me, my job and my friendships and the extension of that is I meet great people.

"I've had some wonderful dates recently, they may not have gone anywhere but they've all been great people. I kind of needed that reminder that there are some really lovely men out there."

Fred Sirieix

Despite being the main man on First Dates, Fred tends to keep his love life on the down low. He was previously in a relationship with Alex Spendolini for 12 years and the had two children together - Team GB diver Andrea and Lucien.

The popular French maître d’ found love again in the form of his mystery Jamaican fiancée, who he affectionately refers to as 'Fruitcake', in 2018. She joined him in the spotlight in 2022 after appearing on Celebrity Gogglebox with him.

At the time, Fred said: "I’m delighted to be joining the Celebrity Goggleboxers for this series. It’s going to be very surreal being on the show having been critiqued a number of times in the regular series! I am looking forward to the public getting to meet the wonderful Fruitcake too."

Fred with partner Fruitcake (Channel 4)

When Fred and Fruitcake saw each other it was love at first sight and they were "all over each other" during their first drink together. Opening up about the first time he laid eyes on his beloved, he gushed: "It was so beautiful. When I saw her I fell in love and she smiled because she knew."

Speaking about their romance the year they first met, he said: "Occasionally, I’ll go for a little wine and some tapas after work with my partner, who I like to call 'Fruitcake'. It’s nice to have a relaxing conversation and chill out when you’ve had a long day. If I do get the chance to be in the kitchen, I love making fresh pasta. I find rolling it out very therapeutic and I get flour everywhere. It’s great fun."

In March 2020, Fred revealed the exciting news he was engaged to his partner of two years. Not one to make a song and dance out of it, he shared a snap of the pair on Instagram with the simple caption: "Fruitcake said yes".

He had proposed to her at their London home in Peckham whilst in lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. While revealing it was the "perfect" proposal, Fred did confess there was one key item missing. He explained: "The main thing the only thing is I did not get a ring, but I've managed to do it now we are out of lockdown, and she is very happy. So, all is well."

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Merlin Griffiths

Barman Merlin Griffiths has been with his partner Lucile for more than a decade after meeting at a cocktail making competition. The pair share a daughter together but Merlin tends to keep his family away from the spotlight.

Merlin was diagnosed with diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer in 2021, but recently told fans that he had got the all-clear. Over the last 18 months he has undergone a number in intensive treatments and surgeries, so was delighted after receiving an email about his latest CT scan.

Merlin has been with his partner over a decade (Channel 4)

Sharing the message with fans, it read: "Hi Merlin, hope you are well. Your CT scan has just come through. All looks good, there are no signs of reoccurrence. Hope this is reassuring." He captioned the image: "Final Year 1 scan results are in, and it’s ALL CLEAR for now. Nice. Thank you # NHS #bowelcancerawareness."

Many of his fans rushed to offer their congratulations underneath, with one writing: "Amazing news mate, my wife has just started chemo for ovarian cancer and you sir are such an inspiration." While another penned: "So great to hear that Merlin."

Grant Urquhart

Grant joined the show in series 10 as a waiter and looks to be very much in love. In 2022 he talked about celebrating a three year anniversary with his then-girlfriend however it's thought they are no longer together. Looking at his social media, it looks as though he is now in a new relationship.

Austin Ventour

Austin has been with his partner for seven years

Austin has been in a long-term relationship with make-up artist Katie Moore for around seven years. They announced in 2020 that they were engaged, and welcomed their first child together. According to Katie's website, she has worked with "various celebrities and influential individuals". Her work has also been featured in publications such as Vogue, Cosmopolitan and GQ.

Charlotte Everett