First Dates: Oswestry actress is new waiter on Channel 4 show
An aspiring actress has landed herself a role in one of Channel 4’s most-watched TV shows which helps singletons find love.
Charlotte Knowles, from Oswestry, has joined First Dates favourites maitre d’ Fred Sirieix and waitress CiCi Coleman at the London-based restaurant.
The popular dating show is back for a ninth season and Charlotte is set to make her full debut on Monday evening’s episode. She will be waiting on tables and helping the couples, who are on a blind date, to fall in love.
“I was having a productive Monday so decided to email the First Dates casting department,” she said.
“I didn’t think I would hear anything back but they called me in for a casting where they filmed me for two hours. Then they came to the cafe where I was working and filmed some more, and then I was told I’d got the job. It’s such a huge show and it even has more viewers than I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here. It’s so much more than a reality TV show.
“I used to watch it with my mum and dad, we love it. So when my first episode came out we all sat down and watched it together. I had so many people sending me messages asking if it actually me!”
Charlotte, who trained at the Guildford School of Acting, began filming in March but has had to keep it a secret until the first episode aired earlier this month.
So far she’s filmed 24 episodes at the Paternoster Chop House and said it’s already opening new doors in her career.
“My job is to wait on tables but we’re there not only to serve people, but to help orchestrate the chats, make people feel at ease and ultimately help people fall in love,” Charlotte said.
“It’s been the hardest secret I’ve ever had to keep but since it aired I’ve had so many messages from my agent saying people want to see me.”
The central London restaurant is open to the public but you won’t find Charlotte or CiCi there when the show’s 57 camera’s aren’t rolling. Most of the staff you see on First Dates are actually trained actors or have day jobs.
Since joining the show CiCi has become a household name who is now starring in E4’s All Star Driving School.
