First Dates is back with a brand new series

Fred Sirieix and his team are back!

Author: Alex RossPublished 6th Aug 2024
Last updated 7th Aug 2024

With the current series of Love Island coming to an end last week, you may be crying out for some more reality TV to watch! Well, don't panic, because as well as the first ever Love Is Blind: UK arriving on Netflix this week, Channel 4 have also announced that First Dates is back!

That's right, Fred Sirieix and his team are re-opening the doors of the First Dates restaurant, in an attempt to help people find love over dinner.

When does First Dates start?

The 22nd series of First Dates hit our screens on Tuesday 6th August 2024 at 10pm.

Fred said of the show previously: "It's about true love and it's real. It's about real people wanting to find true love and they go there for the right reasons. They may or may not find love on First Dates, but they know that they can trust us to look for the best possible match for them.

"It's also very entertaining. We're very nosy. We want to know what's going on in people's heads and First Dates does that."

When is it on TV?

Following the opening episode on 6th August, First Dates will then air weekly every Tuesday night at 10pm.

What channel is it on?

As usual, First Dates will air on Channel 4 and the channel's streaming service.

Where is the restaurant?

The last series earlier this year saw the show move to The Botanist Bar and Restaurant in Bath.

Who are the staff?

As well as host and matchmaker Fred Sirieix, fans will be pleased to know that barman Merlin Griffiths will be back for the new series, as well as waitress Cici Coleman.

Waiting staff Aoife Smyth, Kofi Yeboah-Mensah, Francesca Martusciello and Jamie McCleave will also feature on series 22.

Check out which other TV shows we can't wait for the return of:

Strictly Come Dancing

After comedian Chris McCausland won the show in 2024, Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One on Saturday 20th September! The show will run all the way until 20th December.

Waterloo Road

School drama Waterloo Road is due to return for a 16th series on Tuesday 23rd September! The show, which was rebooted in 2023, has been a huge success for the BBC.

Married At First Sight UK

We can't wait for the UK version of MAFS to return later this month, as more singletons attempt to find love at first sight. E4 have now confirmed the series will begin on Sunday 21st September.

Big Brother

The third series of Big Brother on ITV/STV is due to begin on Sunday 28th September, with reports suggesting this year's show will run for a huge seven weeks!

Blue Lights

Following the first two successful series, filming for series three of BBC police drama Blue Lights kicked off in February, and now we know it will begin on Monday 29th September!

The Traitors and Celebrity Traitors

Series four of The Traitors is due to return in early 2026, but fans can also look forward to the first ever celebrity edition of the show, which is due in Autumn 2025.

Stranger Things

Netflix bosses confirmed in January 2023 that the fifth and final series of Stranger Things had officially started production - and at the 2025 Tudum event, confirmed that the series will be released in three parts. Volume 1 will land in the UK on 27th November, followed by Volume 2 on 26th December and the final ever episode on 1st January 2026.

Ted Lasso

Following the end of series three in 2023, fans were crying out for a fourth series of comedy show Ted Lasso! On Friday 14th March, main actor Jason Sudeikis confirmed the exciting news, revealing it was in early production! There's no release date just yet.

Emily In Paris

That's right, after things got pretty interesting for Emily Cooper as we saw her set up camp in Rome, starring actress Lily Collins answered our prayers as she confirmed that a fifth season is officially on the way - hitting Netflix on Thursday 18th December.

Hijack

Following series one back in June 2023, Apple TV bosses have now confirmed Idris Elba will return for a second series of Hijack! No plot or start date has been announced just yet, but reports are rife that production will begin soon.

Vigil

Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie reprising their roles as DCI Amy Silva and DI Kirsten Longacre in BBC drama Vigil. With filming set to begin in Scotland later this year, fans could see series three land in early 2026.

Red Eye

ITV/STV crime drama Red Eye become one of the station's biggest shows in 2024, so it's no surprise it was commissioned for a second series. Filming started in March 2025, with Martin Compston joining the cast, but there's no word on any release date just yet.

Trigger Point

Following two successful series, ITV/STV bosses announced in October 2024 that they'd commissioned Trigger Point for a third series, with Vicky McClure will reprise her role as bomb disposal operative Lana Washington. Filming for series three concluded in June, with the show set to air in the Autumn. Trigger Point has also now been renewed for a fourth series!

Nobody Wants This

It was one of the most popular rom-coms of 2024, so it's no surprise Netflix bosses were quick to renew Nobody Wants This, starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell. After production began in March, it was later confirmed at Netflix's 2025 Tudum event that the new series is set to be released on 23rd October 2025.

The Day of the Jackal

Series one of thriller The Day of the Jackal has broken viewing records for Sky Atlantic, so there's no surprise that bosses were quick to renew the show for a second series, before the first was even over! Although there's no air date just yet, filming is expected to take place in 2025.

After The Flood

Actress Sophie Rundle played the role of Joanna Marshall in series one of ITV/STV drama After The Flood. The show was so popular it was immediately renewed for a second series, with Alun Armstrong, Jill Halfpenny, Ian Puleston-Davies and Matthew McNulty joining the cast. Filming for series two started in March 2025, so we suspect it could arrive later this year.

Deal or No Deal

Following it's reboot, quiz show Deal or No Deal has become increasingly popular with viewers, so it's no surprise fans are calling out for more.

Amandaland

Following the first series of Motherland spin-off show Amandaland, BBC bosses were quick to renew comedy series Amandaland for a second series. Lucy Punch will return as Amanda, alongside Joanna Lumley and Philippa Dunne. There's so far been no word on when series two will land.

Bullseye

Following the Christmas special in 2024, ITV/STV bosses have now confirmed they've commissioned a full series of iconic gameshow Bullseye, with Freddie Flintoff as host. The series is due to air later in 2025, as well as a brand new Christmas special.

Hunted

Applications for the next series of Hunted are due to close at the end of May, so we suspect it could be ready to land on TV in early 2026.

Selling Sunset

With series eight dropping last September, Netflix have confirmed a ninth series of the glitzy reality show will return, with a brand new cast member! Netflix have now confirmed the show will return on 29th October.

Unforgotten

After series six aired in early 2025, ITV/STV bosses were quick to recommission crime drama Unforgotten for a seventh series, with Sanjeev Bhaskar and Sinéad Keenan set to return. There's no official start date just yet, but we imagine it will be early 2026.

I'm A Celeb

Ant and Dec are also set to return to our TV screens later in 2025 for a brand new series of I'm A Celeb! No names have been announced just yet, but as also, rumours are heating up about which famous faces will head into the jungle.

Bridgerton

On the same day bosses announced the show had been renewed for a fifth and sixth series, Netflix also confirmed the hugely-antipcated fourth series would land in 2026. There's no exact date just yet, but filming is taking place now.

The Masked Singer

Bonkers entertainment show The Masked Singer UK has officially been renewed for another season, due to air in early 2026.

The Night Agent

After series two dropped on Netflix in January, bosses were quick to confirm The Night Agent would return for a third instalment, with Gabriel Basso as FBI agent Peter Sutherland. Production for series three started in February 2025, so it could land in early 2026.

At Home With The Furys

Following the popular first series back in 2023, Netflix bosses confirmed a second series of At Home With The Furys in May 2025. Filming with Tyson Fury, his wife Paris, and the couple's seven children is underway now.

The Bear

Following the fourth series arriving in June 2025, bosses have now confirmed The Bear will return for a fifth series! Although there's been no start date given just yet, the show typically begins every year in June.

Gangs of London

Following the third series earlier in 2025, which ended on a major cliffhanger, Sky have now confirmed Gangs of London has been commissioned for a fourth series. Although there's no start date just yet, filming is due to begin in January 2026.

The new series of First Dates begins on Tuesday 6th August.

Now read:

My Mum, Your Dad confirmed for September start with first teaser

Filming has wrapped for series 3 of The Traitors

Thomas Kriaras reveals how much the MAFS UK cast get paid to appear

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Mary Mandefield

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