First Dates recap: Cheeky chat, shared heartbreak and Ron Burgundy
Derek and Karen hit it off in the First Dates restaurant, bonding over past life experiences.
Eight more daters returned to the First Dates restaurant on Thursday for a chance at love.
In a world where everyone is looking for the one, these eight daters were no different as they faced into their blind dates hoping to find that spark.
From cheeky chat about dating, an emotional reflection on previous heartbreak, and a yearning for a "regular life" with kids and a dog, the latest episode had it all.
Peter (33) from Dublin was first to enter the First Dates restaurant on Thursday night’s episode, saying he is often misjudged as “a player”.
Peter said he never says anything inappropriate but is known to go on a ‘ghost mission’ from time to time.
Peter, who said he was looking for someone chatty, with a good head on their shoulders, was introduced to his date Jade (30) from Dublin who he described as “stunning”.
Starting their date by ordering two shots, the pair quickly got to chatting about their social lives, dating lives, and the importance of family.
Peter said that he has experienced the world of dating and that he is now ready to meet someone on the same wavelength and settle down.
Touching on eating habits, Peter said he can’t stand it when women are weird about eating in front of their date, to which Jade replied: “That wouldn’t be me… If you’re hungry, eat.”
Jade spoke about how she had previously experienced homelessness with her kids, describing it as a difficult time in her life but said she got an apartment five years ago which made her “so happy”.
Asking Jade what her curfew was for the night, Peter suggested that they go for a drink after the date.
The pair both said they’d like to see each other again and continued their date with that drink which turned into a second date and cosy dinner and drinks at Peter’s local pub.
Noelle (20) from Dublin settled in at the bar by having the banter with barman Neil while waiting for her date Morgan.
“This man has been nothing but insults… I think we’re in love,” she told maitre d’ Mateo Saina.
Morgan entered the First Dates restaurant dressed to impress, saying she loves to dress for an occasion - be it purple feathers or see-through mesh.
Morgan said she recently visited a psychic who told her she would meet her soulmate and that she wouldn’t live in Ireland.
Getting to know each other over dinner, the pair realised their differences but bonded over their hobbies and life experiences.
Morgan shared her past dating experiences, saying that she has had her first and second loves and that she is now waiting for her third love to come along.
Noelle spoke about the importance of being two whole individual people within a relationship who come together to make each other better people and enjoy each other.
When it came to deciding whether they wanted to see each other again, the pair said they would and said plans to attend a silent disco or to see Coldplay could be on the cards. Ultimately, though, the pair didn’t make it to either.
Derek from Cavan said that if he used the phrase ‘How’re you fixed’ on the date, it would be a sure sign that he was “onto a winner”.
In walks 40-year-old Karen, impressing Derek who spots her from the bar and uses the phrase off the bat.
After just a few minutes of meeting, the pair realised that Derek’s brother, who is living in Celbridge while studying in Maynooth, is living with Karen’s friend.
The pair spoke about their dating experiences and how the dating apps haven’t been working in their favour.
Derek, who has been single for six and a half years, shared that he was with someone for eight years, was engaged to her, travelled the world together, and shared a house but that it was “done and dusted” just six months before the wedding.
“If someone’s not happy in the relationship, why would you continue it, why kick the can down the street,” he said.
Relating to Derek’s story, Karen said she has the special ability of ending up with people who don’t want to get married or have kids and spoke about how “you just know” when they’re not on the same page.
She spoke of her experience of feeling unworthy, unattractive and unwanted in a previous relationship which she said put her in a hole.
“I went through a really bad depression. I didn’t want to be here anymore. I had to find my self-worth and have to remember what do I want in life,” she said.
Derek and Karen both spoke about their pets and Derek spoke about his cat Ron Burgundy, aptly named because he’s ‘kind of a big deal’.
Derek broke our hearts when asked on screen if he ever felt lonely. Shedding tears, he said he feels lonely when he comes home and there’s no one there.
“I genuinely think the cat saved my life. You’re low and I had someone else to care for, if that makes sense,” he said.
The pair also shared their zest for life and how they both want to live an active lifestyle. When asked if they’d like to meet again, they both said yes and have since explored Cavan together, with Karen even meeting Ron Burgundy.
Ariana (23) from Meath was paired with sales rep by day and, wrestler by night Josh.
Upon entering the restaurant she told maitre d’ Mateo that she liked what she was seeing so far as she caught a glimpse of Josh waiting at the bar.
They spoke about their experiences of moving abroad and how supportive their families are of their dreams.
Josh said that he wants to become a professional wrestler and that there is no plan B because he is so committed to achieving that dream.
Speaking about how she would be happy to settle down soon, Ariana said she wants the “regular life” with a dog, a baby and an apartment.
“If I met the right person tomorrow, I would have a baby,” she said.
Josh said that he does potentially see kids in his future but is in no rush to have kids right now.
Speaking about Ariana’s warm personality, Josh said her smile was already "beaming her personality" before she even spoke and that the date felt natural.
When asked if they would like to see each other again, Ariana said she would not see him romantically because they are two different people on different paths in life.
First Dates continues on RTÉ 2 next Thursday at 9.30pm.
