Fred Sirieix in First Dates first as he stars as a diner in Valentine's special with wife Fruitcake
First Dates: Be My Valentine will also feature another familiar faceFred Sirieix will be entering the First Dates restaurant as a customer this week as the show is given a Valentine’s Day twist.
The French maitre-d has been given the night off so he can enjoy a slap-up meal with his wife, Fruitcake.
Together, they will be joining an array of single diners who are all hoping to find love on the most romantic day of the year.
Ahead of the special episode, called First Dates: Be My Valentine, Fred said: “I love playing Cupid in the First Dates restaurant. It’s electric.”
And it now turns out he is playing Cupid for himself.
First Dates: Be My Valentine – Fred Sirieix and Fruitcake
Fred has now shared a sneak peek at First Dates: Be My Valentine and is seen with wife Fruitcake in the restaurant.
Last year, Fruitcake – a nickname given to her by Fred – fell seriously ill at home. She was whisked to hospital before being diagnosed with Bell’s palsy.
The condition causes sudden paralysis or weakness in one side of the face. The neurological disorder is temporary, with most people making a full recovery within six months.
But as Fruitcake talks to Fred over dinner about her experience with the condition, she reveals it has lasted longer.
In a preview clip of this week’s Valentine’ special, she says: “You supported me when I was ill last year, and how grateful I was to you for looking after me. It was a horrible time.
Fred replies: “A mad time that was.”
Fruitcake, whose real name has always been kept private, continues: “To be diagnosed with Bell’s palsy and not even knowing what Bell’s palsy was…”
Fred tells her: “When you called the ambulance, they thought you were having a stroke. And when the ambulance arrived, that’s what they believed you were suffering from.”
‘I wasn’t confident going outside’
Fruitcake goes on to explain the effect her diagnosis had on her life.
“Yeah, and you know, to not even be able to recognise myself when I look in the mirror,” she says. “And to, you know, in some ways, being a bit of a recluse. Because I wasn’t confident with going outside.”
Fred tells his wife she’s “done very well”. But she explains to him: “The fact is, I’m still not quite over the hill yet. Even though everyone says, ‘Oh I can’t see it’. The fact that I still sometimes suffer with a bit of pain and stuff…”
Reaching for her hand across the table, Fred tells his emotional wife: “But we’ve got your back, man. We’ve got your back.”
Fruitcake struggles to hold back tears as she tells him: “Oh, don’t make me cry. But thank you.”
When is First Dates: Be My Valentine on?
First Dates: Be My Valentine actually airs ahead of Valentine’s Day. You can catch the special episode on Wednesday February 11, 2026 on Channel 4.
The show starts at 10pm and is on for 65 minutes, with an end time of 11.05pm.
Along with Fred and Fruitcake, fans of the show will recognise another familiar face in the restaurant. Former Gogglebox star Daniel Lustig-Webb is also hoping to find love following his divorce with co-star, Stephen.
The pair announced the break-up of their marriage in April 2024 and quit Gogglebox. Stephen has since appeared on E4 reality show, Celebs Go Dating.
Meanwhile, Firs Dates viewers will also be introduced to call handler Andrea, who is matched with Girls Aloud fan Patrick. Dentist and part-time rapper Phil will enjoy a dinner with medical sales manager, Jessica.
Read more: 22 Kids and Counting returns tonight with special episode as Josh Radford faces mental health battle
