South African version of First Dates coming to BBC

Cape Town – Another localised reality dating format show is being made for South Africa.

BBC Studios Africa has commissioned First Dates South Africa for BBC Lifestyle (DStv 174) which will first screen First Dates Australia, followed by the British version.

Rapid Blue will be producing First Dates SA, joining the flurry of current and planned dating reality shows on South African television stretching from The Bachelor South Africa and Finding the One on M-Net to Date My Family on Mzansi Magic, The Longest Date on SABC3, and One Night with my Ex on 1Magic. 

South Africans over 18 will be able to enter for First Dates SA from 25 March with cameras that will roll during July in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, showing viewers the "intimate experience of the world of first dates" as people look for love.

After a date on the show singletons enter the First Dates booth where people reveal what they really thought and viewers find out if there's a possibility of love.

BREAKING NEWS: The First Dates restaurant will be throwing open its doors in sunny (or is it shady) SA later this year on #BBCLifestyleSA ?? If you or any of your friends are single and looking for a perfect match, why not apply?

Entries open Monday 25th March #FirstDatesSA pic.twitter.com/xAjizSEdJW

— BBC South Africa (@BBCSouthAfrica) March 19, 2019

Joel Churcher, General Manager and Vice President of BBC Studios in Africa said: "I am a huge First Dates fan, so am thrilled that not only are we bringing BBC Lifestyle audiences the very popular Australian and UK editions, but that we can partner once again with Rapid Blue to produce the South African version of this global hit.

"Dating here in South Africa is serious business with couples really pulling out all the stops, so I cannot wait to see how fun local personalities demonstrate how dating should be done."

Ed Worster, Rapid Blue's executive producer of First Dates South Africa said: "We love the authenticity of the First Dates format. Our job is to find the perfect match for each of our daters and we really hope that true love might follow their first encounter.

"Once we've set them up it's over to the couples to see if there's any chemistry or a spark between them. We'll be looking for big characters, the unexpected, the novice daters and the players, eligible guys and ladies, the beautiful and the quirky, the young and the old.

"Hopefully sparks will fly in the First Dates South Africa restaurant and showcase a hugely entertaining experience that will resonate with all our viewers."