Viewers praise My Mum, Your Dad as they are left in tears during opening ep

It's been dubbed 'middle-aged Love Island'

Author: Alex RossPublished 12th Sep 2023
Last updated 12th Sep 2023

After months of waiting, Davina McCall's brand new dating show My Mum, Your Dad finally hit our screens last night (Monday 11th September), as the cast entered into a luxury retreat in an attempt to find love.

The show, which has previously been dubbed as 'middle-aged Love Island', follows a group of single parents who have been nominated by their grown-up children, as they get back into dating with the end goal of finding a soul mate.

As the series kicked off last night on ITV/STV, viewers were immediately hooked with the concept, with many taking to social media to admit how much they were enjoying the launch episode.

One wrote: 'Eeeeekkkkk… forget Love Island this is bloody brilliant👏👏 huge congratulations Davina… I cried, laughed and just loved every moment❤️'. (sic)

Another added: 'Loved it just what is needed on TV 😍', with another commenting: 'Was a good first episode, fingers crossed for itv on this one. DAVINA smashing it as per usual'. (sic)

A fourth impressed viewer wrote: 'Love this, feels so real, hooked already, I hope they all find love ❤️'. (sic)

The first episode saw contestants Monique, Sharon, Caroline, Natalie, Paul, Clayton, Roger and Elliot enter the fancy retreat, as their kids headed off to the secret bunker to watch their every move, and it didn't take long before host Davina entered to kick-start the dates.

After 51-year-old Caroline chose to go on a date with 58-year-old Roger, viewers were left in tears when the postman emotionally opened up about the tragic loss of his wife last year, after she sadly lost her battle with cancer.

During the date, Roger bravely spoke about his wife's diagnosis and the moment she passed away, leaving Caroline, their children, and viewers at home in tears.

After witnessing the emotional scene, one viewer wrote: 'Its too soon for him, you can still all that pain in his eyes… just wanna give him a hug!! Xx'. (sic)

Another wrote: 'Brought me to welling up…. So tough for him', with another adding: 'Bless him, can feel his heart breaking'.

Check out the My Mum, Your Dad cast below:

Monique and Taiya


Monique - Nominated by her daughter Taiya

Age: 50
From: Winchmore Hill
Occupation: Therapist/Student

Taiya

Age: 21
From: North London
Occupation: Student

Sharon and Tia


Sharon - Nominated by her daughter Tia

Age: 53
From: Sunderland
Occupation: Safeguarding and Welfare Officer in Education

Tia

Age: 24
From: Sunderland
Occupation: Social Media Influencer

Caroline and Carli


Caroline - Nominated by her daughter Carli

Age: 51
From: South Lanarkshire
0ccupation: Tech Advisor/Scan Assistant

Carli

Age: 20
From: South Lanarkshire
Occupation: Flight Attendant

Natalie and Kaliel


Natalie - Nominated by her son Kaliel

Age: 44
From: Bournemouth
Occupation: Self-Esteem and Relationship Recovery Coach

Kaliel

Age: 20
From: Bournemouth
Occupation: Gas and Plumbing Apprentice

Paul and Mazey


Paul - Nominated by his daughter Mazey

Age: 47
From: London
Occupation: Owner of a Decorating Company

Mazey

Age: 21
From: Bath
Occupation: University Student

Clayton and Christian


Clayton - Nominated by his son Christian

Age: 57
From: Nottingham
Occupation: Pastoral Support Officer

Christian

Age: 35
From: Nottingham
Occupation: Graphic Artist/Warehouse Employee

Roger and Jess


Roger - Nominated by his daughter Jess

Age: 58
From: Derbyshire
Occupation: Postman

Jess

Age: 28
From: Derbyshire
Occupation: Network Rail Planner

Elliot and Zachary


Elliot - Nominated by his son Zachary

Age: 53
From: Essex
Occupation: PE Teacher and Football Coach

Zachary

Age: 21
From: Essex
Occupation: University Student

Janey and Will


Janey - Nominated by her son Will

Age: 47
From: West Sussex
Occupation: Singer/Recruitment Manager

Will

Age: 19
From: West Sussex
Occupation: Student

Martin H and Jessica


Martin H - Nominated by his daughter Jessica

Age: 56
From: Birmingham - Lives in Epson
Occupation: Retired basketball player/Sports Presenter and MD

Jessica

Age: 23
From: Epsom
Occupation: Model/Sales & Marketing/Mental Health Skills Coaching

Tolullah and Georgia-Blu


Tolullah - Nominated by her daughter Georgia-Blu

Age: 50
From: London
Occupation: Design consultant/Journalist

Georgia-Blu

Age: 28
From: London
From: Chartered Accountant

Martin M and Luke


Martin M - Nominated by his son Luke

Age: 52
From: Derby/Lives in Ibiza
Occupation: Property developer

Luke

Age: 18
From: Ibiza
Occupation: Bartender

On tonight's episode (Tuesday 12th September), 47-year-old Janey will entered the retreat as nominated by her son Will.

My Mum, Your Dad airs every night at 9pm on ITV/STV.

Now read:

Everything you need to know about TV presenting royalty Davina McCall

Cast revealed for new dating show My Mum, Your Dad

The biggest TV shows Davina McCall has worked on throughout her amazing career

How to listen to Downtown Radio:

Tune into Northern Ireland's Home of Great Music, Downtown Radio on FM, AM, DAB Digital Radio, online, on our Rayo app and by asking your smart speaker to 'Play Downtown Radio'. Gary & Glen kick things off every weekday morning and Neal McClelland brings you home on Downtown Drive.