'My garden now looks like World War I!'

After 10 years at the First Dates restaurant, Fred Siriex tells new about swapping his tux for a trowel

- ALI GRAVES

Channel 4’s First Dates is celebrating a decade on our screens this year, and maître d’ Fred Sirieix tells new the show has made him re-evaluate what’s truly important in life.

“Everyone is different and yet we’re all the same. We’re all looking for that respect and acceptance,” he says. “There’s beauty in being open and not judgemental. This is when we really appreciate life and people for who they are.”

The show started in 2013, following romantic hopefuls as they meet for dinner for the first time, with Fred welcoming them to the First Dates restaurant. We’ve been treated to some hilarious moments as well as tender scenes, but one thing is for certain – everyone is eager to fall head over heels in love.

Recalling one of the funnier moments on the show, Fred, 51, says, “When we first started, there was this couple, both dancers in their 20s. They instantly connected and fancied one another. They were talking about aphrodisiac foods and she said she didn’t think oysters counted, but that olives did – and then went on to eat them very suggestively. It was the funniest thing.”

But the show has also taught Fred that life is not always a fairy tale.

“People go on dates and they say they want this or they want that, but when they have people sitting in front of them, they can’t see it because they’re caught up in a fantasy world of what they’re expecting. If people focused more on what matters, which is kindness and being genuine, then I think it would work much better.”