First Dates moving to Manchester

The \'First Dates\' restaurant is moving to Manchester.

The reality dating show - which is fronted by maître d\' Fred Sirieix - has been filmed at the Paternoster Chop House in St Paul\'s in London since 2013, but the show\'s narrator Brian Protheroe has revealed producers are planning to move up north.

He told The Sun newspaper: "I think they\'re in the process of changing the restaurant.

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"When we finally get through the lockdown period, if we ever do, then I think there\'ll be another restaurant. I think possibly in Manchester."

News of the move first circulated in January with the show relocating to the north west of England ready for the upcoming 16th series later this year.

Brain revealed he is unsure whether Fred and his staff - including waitresses Cici Coleman and Laura Tott and barman Merlin Griffiths - will follow the show to Manchester.

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He added: "Whether Fred will be there, I\'ve got no idea.

"I think it\'s bound to happen eventually. Merlin is good value - he\'s almost as good value as Fred."

However, a spokesperson for the Channel 4 series confirmed Fred will remain with the show.

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They said: "Fred will be joined by some of the existing First Dates team at the new restaurant in Manchester, and there\'ll be some new faces from the local area."

The network will also see its casting crew based in Bristol alongside the story editing and members of the post-production teams.

Managing Director and head of studio Twenty Twenty, Leanne Klein, said: "We are very excited to be taking our flagship dating series to the regions.

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"We have already begun tapping into the fantastic local talent pool in Bristol from where we are putting together our new team of casters and date editors.

"And with the move of the \'First Dates\' restaurant we will have the chance to expose our daters to a brand new experience with a few exciting new tweaks to the much loved format."