First Dates — Season 23

More hopeful singletons visit the First Dates restaurant looking for love. Glamorous 53-year-old Justine loves chocolate; 59-year-old chocolate expert Angus is hoping to melt her heart. Their date sizzles, but is Angus coming on too strong? Fashionista Lucy, who's 24, has never had a boyfriend. She suffered a long illness, which means she now uses a stoma bag. Lucy's date is the moustachioed, pearl-necklace-wearing Ben, who's also 24. They connect over fashion, charity shops and a shared obsession with Harry Styles. Hairdresser Clint, who's 39, admits that dates tend to find him rude. His match is long-haul flight attendant Dani, who's also 39, and who finds his jet-setting job is a hindrance to settling down. Writer Jack bears more than a passing resemblance to his namesake Captain Jack Sparrow. His date Chloe, a singer in a rock band, arrives in an eye-catching leather dress. From the moment Jack and Chloe meet and compliment each other's eyeliner, sparks fly. Jack writes Chloe a poem. But she goes one better, performing a serenade that brings the restaurant to a standstill and leaves Jack stunned.

On Valentine's, the most romantic day of the year, 50-year-old Dave, a singer and wedding celebrant who unites couples in matrimonial bliss, hopes to find a piece of that bliss for himself. Enter Matthew, who's also 50, a single dad sporting a beard that he himself classes as a mistake. Betty, who's 23, has never had a boyfriend. Her date tonight is Robbie, a 31-year-old shoe salesman whose banter sometimes lets him down. After a slightly awkward start, they bond over past hardships as young love starts to blossom. Martin, a 66-year-old poet from West Yorkshire, has memory problems after a serious motorbike accident. Martin's date is Denise, a grandmother of six. And Martin's so inspired he writes Denise a poem on the spot. Jade is a 29-year-old artist who turns heads. Jade thinks women are 'the most beautiful thing in the world' but finds them very hard to read. Her date with Genell, a mum of one, is one of the flirtiest encounters the restaurant has ever seen.

Hugo is 19 and, although he wears a cravat, he's never been on a date. He meets career-focussed Rose, who's also 19 and knows exactly what she wants: becoming a self-made millionaire, holidaying on a yacht in Monaco, and finding a man who looks like a young Hugh Grant. Hugo's dating inexperience is clearly demonstrated by a series of clangers; he even asks Rose if she's pregnant. Next up: at the age of 61 Candy is an eternal optimist who believes her knight in shining armour is still out there. Cue dapper 61-year-old fitness aficionado David. Trainee paramedic Holly has a weakness for bad boys and a habit of getting their names tattooed 'in a private area' shortly before they dump her. TV salesman Taylor has the bad boy looks but a heart of gold. Kirsty, a 42-year-old mother-of-two and amateur boxer, is ready to put her gloves down for love and is looking for a 'gym buff'. Avid gym-goer and kebab shop entrepreneur Paul credits his love of doners for helping him achieve his muscular physique. Is Kirsty in for a sizzling date? Or will it all go up in flames? 

Social activist Shamsa dreams of a man who's fun, respectful, handsome and, most importantly, tall. Enter 6' 3" software salesman Hamish, a gentleman who proves chivalry is alive and well. Sparks fly, they bond over a shared love of Whitney Houston, and Shamsa feels comfortable enough to tell Hamish about a powerful and traumatic event from her childhood. Meanwhile, school caretaker Dominic, who's 27, hasn't had much luck in love; one date took him shopping in TK Maxx. His match is 30-year-old Rebecca, a free spirit who loves swimming with sharks and travelling to exotic parts of the world. Dominic can't swim and has a phobia of butterflies; can he turn his luck around, or is adventurous Rebecca too much for him to handle? Rock singer Brocarde is hoping to meet a fellow creative who'll accept the 'ghosts' of her past and make her heart sing. She bonds with youth worker and fellow musician James over shared passions. But how will James react when Brocarde opens up about her romantic dealings within the paranormal world? Retired fire-fighter Ian hasn't dated since his wife passed away. Can he re-ignite the flame of love and find a second chance at happiness with passionate and playful Coral? 

After racing at Le Mans and winning Daytona, retired sports car driver Johnny, who's 54, is looking to inject some va-va-voom into his love life. His date is 49-year-old champion ballroom dancer Snieguole, whose name means Snow White in Lithuanian. Snieguole seeks a man 'with balls, who won't be scared of me'. School caretaker Dominic returns to the restaurant after his first visit ended in tears. His second shot at romance comes in the form of 29-year-old animal charity worker Beth. The two quickly connect over a shared love of camper vans. And then there's 21-year-old dog groomer Pollyanna, who is deaf and whose sign name is 'Prosecco Polly'. Her date is stablehand Rob. Rebecca, who's 22, works as a model for adult TV channel Babestation - a job she loves but which has 'caused hell' with her dating life. Leather-clad fitness photographer Mak, who's 35, is Rebecca's date, and sparks fly. But how will Mak react when Rebecca reveals her side-hustle as a dominatrix specialising in foot worship?