Fred Sirieix has welcomed some brand new faces to his First Dates team.
The Channel 4 dating show makes a big return on Tuesday, January 19, with a few changes.
The latest run has seen the entire production move north with filming taking place last year in Manchester at The Refinery in Spinningfields.
And, as well as some new daters looking for love, there's some new cast members too.
Joining Fred, Merlin Griffiths and waiting staff CiCi Coleman and Grant Urquhart for the 16th series are David, Fiona and Daniella.
The three newbies all worked in hospitality before being snapped up to star in the forthcoming series.
For Daniella, a born and bred Mancunian, joining the cast was a win-win situation as she lives in Manchester and loves the show so much she has previously applied to be one of its dates.
"I applied for the show a few years ago, I think when I was 18," the now 25-year-old said.
"You know when you're so desperate and single I thought, 'Please somebody take me'. But they didn't reply to me. So, I thought that's it...but then somehow I've landed up on this."
She has worked in many different restaurants as a waitress and also has experience in managing bars.
Fiona, who is originally from Huddersfield, is an apprentice barmaid with Merlin.
"There was a lot of pressure there as Merlin has been doing the job for so long but it's been so nice to actually learn from him," Fiona, 30, said.
She added: "It is genuinely like a real job. I am constantly making drinks and constantly looking after people."
Alongside working in the new First Dates restaurant, Fiona has a career in advertising and has also worked as a model, having done fashion shows in Paris, Barcelona and New York in the past.
Fellow new addition David, 28, is originally from Liverpool but moved to Manchester to study fashion design at Salford University and 'loved it'.
"I'm so excited for the show to start, to come up north and for everyone to see our northern humour and banter," David said.
He has worked in hospitality since he was 13-years-old, starting in The National Wildlife Centre in Liverpool where he washed dishes.
David worked his way up in the trade before becoming a restaurant manager in London, and then restaurant supervisor for a top name.
"I love the job because I love to be with people," David said.
"I love to have conversation, to get involved and make their day a bit more special. So being a waiter is something to be proud of.
"I know some people think it is 'that kind' of career but it's just phenomenal to be able to make someone smile or comfort someone. It's fabulous."
Daniella added: "It's a fab job. People look down on waitresses but it's honestly one of the best jobs."
"I'm so proud," David said. "I think everyone in life should be a waiter at one point in their life because we work so hard."
Away from hospitality, David is currently working on launching his own fashion brand.
He started his fashion journey as an intern for Vera Wang in New York, comparing the experience to the film 'The Devil Wears Prada'.
His celebrity clients included Nicki Minaj, Kendall and Kylie Jenner and his first collection received its own full spread in Vogue Magazine which he described as 'a dream come true'.
Teasing the new series, David said: "We don't actually get to watch it until you guys see it, until it's on.
"All I can say is it's just been a whirlwind of emotions for everyone and it is going to be amazing."
Fiona added: "There's so many different characters as well and people from different walks of life and different age groups. So you basically see everything and so many different stories."
And Daniella thinks the show being filmed in Manchester has played a different part.
"We can't give away too many spoilers but I think people in the north have a bit of a weird, funky sense of style.
"So you'll see some cool things. Some excellent things."
Filming for the series at The Refinery in Spinningfields restarted in September 2020 after six months off due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Channel 4 show worked out a way for it to work - while sticking to very strict Covid-19 guidelines.
First Dates starts on Tuesday, January 19, on Channel 4 at 10pm.
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