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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Kate Lally

Romeo and Duet contestant shares what Oti Mabuse is really like

A Scouse contestant on ITV's Romeo and Duet bagged himself a date within just seconds of beginning to sing during last week's show.

The programme, hosted by former Strictly star Oti Mabuse, sees singletons stand on a balcony and serenaded by potential love matches they can hear, but not see. Hopeful singers get just one song to entice a potential new partner down from the balcony.

Only then will the two come face-to-face for the first time.

READ MORE: Scouse Romeo and Duet contestant bags a date in seconds

Jonathan Graham, a singer from Liverpool, took part in the show after his sister was scouted. His sister turned producers down as she is actually married, but with singing talents running in the family she quickly offered an alternative.

The 33-year-old told the ECHO : "We were driving to a gig in Crewe when she got the call. Obviously she couldn't do it, but I was single at the time. I had to sing over the phone in the car, there and then.

"After that, though, the process was actually really smooth. Goat films [the producers] are great, they made sure we were well looked after before, during and after filming."

Jonathan admits he didn't agree to go onto the show believing he would find "the one". He said: "I thought it was a great opportunity, a good platform to show my music talents, and then if I met somebody that was a bonus. "

Jonathan, who says he is still friends with Jamie but has found romance with someone new since filming the show, regularly sings around Liverpool. He performs at Kitty's on Tithebarn Street every month, and will perform at Pride this summer.

Lifting the lid on what it's really like to film the show, he said: "Everything you see is real. You literally don't get to speak to the person you're paired with until you're rehearsing. Then you get 20 minutes to practise and then a live performance".

When asked what Oti Mabuse is like in person, he continued: "She is so lovely. It can be a worry when you meet someone who seems so nice on the television because what if they're not really like that? But she is exactly how she seems, she's great".

Romeo and Duet continues at 7pm on Saturday on ITV and the ITV Hub

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