Channel 4’s First Dates HAVE to split the bill because they are only given £25 towards their food

From having to split the bill because of the price of the menu to being unaware of strategically placed cameras, two former contestants have revealed what it is really like behind the scenes of First Dates.

Stefan-Pierre Tomlin, from London, who claims to have been the most swiped person on Tinder in 2017, appeared on the pilot of the Channel 4 dating series, while Joseph Kent was on the show in 2015 as one of the background daters.

Speaking to The Sun, the pair revealed the shocking reality of taking part in the programme, which has aired since 2013 with over 100,000 people applying to take part each season. 

They claim contestants have to split the bill because they aren’t given enough money to cover the cost of drinks, and even their arrival in a taxi is staged as they are made to wait up to five hours in a holding room.

Stefan-Pierre, who went on a few dates with Siofra (both pictured), said he had to wait around five hours in a waiting room before going to the restaurant 

LENGTHY APPLICATION PROCESS

Joseph, whose dates ‘got cold feet’ twice during the production of series three, said he was eager to go for a date after receiving a call from the team one day when he was about to leave work.

However, he didn’t make it onto the show until 2015 because both of the people he was supposed to date dropped out.

The company director said contestants are quizzed about their dating history and ideal partner in multiple interviews before being selected to take part.

 ‘I never found any of the questions uncomfortable. They asked about my sex life but I was quite happy to speak openly,’ Joseph added.

STAGED ARRIVALS

Joseph revealed that contestants are quizzed about their dating history in a series of interviews before going on the show  

Stefan-Pierre, a fashion model who has had over 14,500 right swipes on dating app Tinder while searching for love, claimed he had to wait for around five hours in a holding room after his stepdad dropped him off at St Paul’s.

He said it’s about a 10 second taxi journey from the waiting room to the First Dates restaurant in London, Paternoster Chop House.

The reality TV star added that it takes hours to film the post-date interviews after an already ‘exhausting’ day of shooting and claimed alcohol can influence the scene.

Stefan-Pierre said: ‘You have to film your sections individually and then together. If they don’t capture it right you have to do it again.

‘There’s a lot of pressure and you have to be careful of what you say.’

HIDDEN CAMERAS

Stefan-Pierre claimed he was unaware of the cameras hidden throughout the restaurant that are used to capture every conversation and phone call 

Stefan-Pierre said he was unaware of the 42 hidden cameras inside the restaurant including the bathroom because he was on the pilot series.

The model claimed that it’s ‘very easy to forget you’re going to be on TV’ because the First Dates restaurant is designed to feel like a real date.

However he confessed the walk into the building can feel like an ‘overwhelming’ red carpet because of the cameras taking shots in every direction.

He said every conversation and even phone calls to friends is captured for the show.

NO ACTS OF CHIVALRY

The former contestants claimed they were only given £25 towards the bill, despite prices on the menu being up to £39 for a meal excluding drinks 

The former contestants claimed the couples don’t split the bill because of modern dating etiquette, but because they are only given £25 towards the cost of their food and drink.

Prices at the Paternoster Chop House vary with a 300g fillet steak costing up to £39, while a roasted Isle of Wight cod is £27 and sides are at least £5 each.

Alcoholic cocktails are priced between £12-£15 and a bottle of Dom Perignon champagne sets diners back £250.

BACKGROUND CUSTOMERS ARE APPLICANTS 

Joseph met others who were going to be background daters at a youth hostel close to the restaurant before being asked by producers if there was anyone in particular he wanted to go on a date with. 

He explained that names are pulled from a hat for those who don’t have a preference and then the pairs take turns to eat in the restaurant to make it look busy. 

Joseph added: ‘You’re taken straight to the table as you’re there to fill the space and sit around the edge of the restaurant rather than the main section, where the featured dates are.’ 

Stefan-Pierre broke up with his date Siofra after a few dates, while Joseph claimed he also had a ‘enjoyable experience’ on the show but is still looking for love.