'I've had my heart broken many times'

First Dates' Fred Sirieix reveals all about relationships, working with Gordon Ramsay and Gino D'Acampo and his top tips for Valentine's Day

- LISA BLAKE

It’s been 10 years since Channel 4’s hit dating programme First Dates first appeared on our screen and

while there’s been hundreds of people walk in and out of the door in their quest to find love, the one thing that’s remained constant is French maître d’hôtel Fred Sirieix.

Fred, 51, is thrilled to be celebrating the milestone, telling us, “It’s an incredible achievement, I feel so proud to work on a show which makes me smile but has also led to weddings and children, how amazing is that?”

When we chat over a Zoom audio, we notice Fred’s iPhone name is a winky face emoji so we ask if it was to show off his flirty side.

He laughs, “Not at all, it’s always like that, my daughter did it. It’s been like that for years and I don’t know how on earth to change it!”

Love guru Fred is engaged to a lady who he affectionately calls “Fruitcake” on social media, but her name remains a mystery. He tells us wedding plans with his Jamaican fiancée are “going well” but wants to keep tight lipped on the finer details.

Here, Fred – who’s dad to daughter Andrea, 18, who’s a Commonwealth Games gold medallist diver and son Lucien, 13, from a previous relationship – gives his top tips for a successful relationship. He also says he’s glad there are times the cameras aren’t rolling when he hangs out with his Gordon, Gino and Fred: Road Trip pals, Gordon Ramsay and Gino D’Acampo…