Blind Date brings on former Mr Gay UK as first gay male contestant on show
Blind Date contestants Jordan Shannon and Jesse Drew
The latest Blind Date episode will see former Mr Gay UK try and find his perfect match as he becomes the first gay man to attempt to find love on the show.
Nightclub host Joni from Newcastle held the Mr Gay England title in 2016, and is appearing on the show after “not being hit on, being dumped and getting divorced”.
Joni, 28, secured the title for helping support young LGBT people suffering from mental health problems, as well as preventing young suicides in the community.
The former titleholder will select from three men hoping to make the grade on the programme.
Operations manager Paul, 32, who lives in Birmingham but is originally from Barbados will be competing for a chance to join Joni on a date, as well as 36-year-old “serial relationshipper” Alex, a project manager from Henley-On-Thames.
It looks like the last hopeful, Mark, could be taken out by presenter Paul O’Grady if he doesn’t find his match in Joni.
When he was asked who he was looking for, the 29-year-old airline handler said “Is it big-headed to say someone like yourself?”
“Are you joking? Well, you know I’ve got nothing on tonight I’m free,” quipped Paul.
Blind Date’s first episode aired in 1985 and was hosted by former singer and Scouser Cilla Black.
Paul O’Grady, who was known to be friends with the late presenter, started presenting the show’s reboot in 2017.
Blind Date will return to Channel 5 on Saturday at 8pm.
