It might be hard to believe but despite being a self-professed hopeless romantic, dating shows aren’t really my thing.
Don’t get me wrong - there are a few I’d watch when there’s not much else on, like First Dates or Married at First Sight. The dating show genre has clearly evolved from the rather banal banter between screened-off contestants on Blind Date to the baying bevy of beauties on Take Me Out.
When Paddy McGuinness boomed “single man, reveal yourself”, I’m sure he didn’t quite envisage a future show where they did just that, albeit slowly from the ankles up. Still, I defy anyone not to have had a sneaky peek at the selection of genitalia on show during Naked Attraction; after all, it’s only human nature, rather like rubber necking at a car accident...
However, despite my indifference to dating shows, there is clearly an appetite for them across the globe. Netflix has been cashing in on the genre for years and will launch their latest offering Love is Blind: UK, hosted by Matt and Emma Willis, in early August.
‘Restaurant Thirty Seven at Silky’s is a reason not to bypass........