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Channel 4's First Dates barman Merlin Griffiths has teased fans of the show will be seeing a more "cantankerous" Fred Sirieix when the show returns next week (August 6). Merlin acknowledges that the popular Maitre D can be very "hands on" with the dates but hinted he takes it even further than usual this year.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk he said: "I personally leave them [the guests] to it. If I can make sure that they're comfortable and happy in our restaurant and well attended to then they're capable of doing the rest.
"I think Fred likes to get a lot more hands on, as you'll see, actually, that's one of the surprises to look forward to. Fred, as we know, always likes to get pretty hands on with our dates! This time around, more so than ever," he revelaed.
"It's absolutely wonderful. He's positively cantankerous," Merlin laughed. Indeed, Fred jumps right in during the very first epiosde giving a pep talk to one of the guests.
William is a 24-year-old who has never kissed a girl and his appearance on the show is also his literal first date ever. He is matched with 23-year-old Zara, also on her first ever date but feels he has been hindered in romance by his stutter and he gets off to a nervous start.
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Cue Fred offering the nervous diner advice which ultimately leads William to up his flirting game and the pair ultimately bond over their love of the Royal Family.
With Fred's "interference" in the dates and some new team members, Merlin thinks this series is as good as ever .
"It's [the series] set in Bath which is a staggeringly beautiful, grade two listed city, and I think that really contributes greatly to the romance there. There's really lovely team dynamic as well this time around with some new faces on the staff.
"It's wonderful to have Fran over from Italy on the team as well. So I think we have a very different feeling to the team dynamic and the way we all work together.
"Kofi you'll see is very much one of the lads. He's warm and kind hearted and genuine and generous.
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"And I think they it was really good fun to have them on our team to help look after our dates. And I think that's the bit to look forward to," he enthused
Reflecting on the show's enduring success he opined: "Human beings are infinitely interesting, which is one of the things that, really, for me, is key with First Dates. It's a people show and that's what makes it a lot of fun and heartwarming.
In the world we live in, where we have so much choice, so many different platforms take up our attention I think making these meaningful connections can be even tougher than it ever used to be, and that's where First Dates comes in.
It is acting as a catalyst for people to make long term, meaningful connections, and I think it's a really heartwarming thing.
First Dates returns to Channel 4 for a new series on Tuesday August 6 at 10pm.
