TV

First Dates viewers fall in love with 97-year-old ‘cradle-snatcher’ diner

Richard is Channel 4 show's oldest ever dater

By Nancy Brown

Viewers have fallen in love with the oldest person ever to enter the First Dates restaurant — at the grand old age of 97.

Ex-footballer and World War II veteran Richard was on the Channel 4 show last night looking for love again.

His second wife died five years ago from pneumonia and he lost his first after an eight-month battle with cancer.

Don’t miss a single story! Add us as a Preferred Source in Google for all your entertainment news

It’s important to us that you never miss our articles when searching for stories! We have all the latest TV & Celebrity news to share with our community of loyal readers.

Click here and tick Entertainmentdaily.com to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.

Richard is the oldest ever First Dates suitor (Credit: Channel 4)

Richard was matched with Ruth, a baby by comparison, aged 79, and the pair hit it off with a shared love of soaps and Tottenham Hotspur.

He said before the date: “Personally I can’t believe anybody would look at me twice.

“Luckily enough I’ve still got my marbles. I don’t think I manage too bad considering the fact I’m nearly 100. My brain is as though I’m still about 30.

“It gets a bit lonely on your own when you’re a bit old. Ideally I would like someone who’s quite clever, pretty good looking, well dressed, well spoken. It’s nice to have a little cuddle every now and again.”

Ruth and Richard agree to a second date (Credit: Channel 4)

He told Ruth during their date that he played for Spurs football club as a junior, adding: “But then the blasted war started.”

Richard, who was called up to the special forces, said: “To be frank, we were trained as killers which was not nice, but there was a war on.”

Read more: Channel 4 confirm RETURN of First Dates favourite

He fought at the Battle of Arnhem where thousands of Allied soldiers were massacred.

Richard shows his special forces photo (Credit: Channel 4)

“We didn’t stand a chance,” he said. “I was quite lucky because all those boys got killed, and back in England all those people got bombed.

“It was horrible. I used to have nightmares. I was 27 when I came out and I’d lost most of my youth.

“I still think I’m a young man. My body isn’t but my brain is.”

The pair over dinner (Credit: Channel 4)

Ruth told him: “If I had a hat, I would take my hat off to you because I think you’re amazing.”

Afterwards she said: “He’s what I would call old-school, a real nice gentleman and he had a nice manner about him.”

And despite Richard concluding: “I enjoyed it but I might be a bit too old for her,” viewers were thrilled when they agreed to a second date.

Don’t miss out: Three steps to ensure you see all ED!’s latest news on Facebook

* First Dates continues on Channel 4 at 10pm next Wednesday.

What do you think of Richard? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!

Nancy Brown
Editor

Related Topics

First Dates