HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ITV Crikey... It’s ten years of no likey, no lighty

“Even two people from our crew met behind the scenes and have just got married. So I’m spreading the love – even when I’m off duty.”

One thing Paddy won’t do is matchmake for his own friends.

“It’s funny because when I step away from the job I’m at home chilling. All my mates have partners, are married or not interested so I’ve no one to fix up.

“I channel all my energy into the people on Take Me Out.”

But he added: “I get a lot of people asking about the show and then saying, ‘Can you fix my mate up?’ That’s lovely.

“I like that Take Me Out is part of the culture here now.

“If you hear ‘Fernando’s’ (the fictional isle where couples go on a date) or ‘No likey, no lighty’ you instantly know what the show is. I love that.”

Although he juggles Take Me Out with other telly roles – and has just announced another series of The Keith and Paddy Picture Show – he insisted: “I still enjoy the job. I enjoy going to the studio and seeing everyone. It still excites me. So as long as that still happens then I’ll keep going!”

After a decade on Take Me Out – where 30 women decide if they’d like to date one man – Paddy knows exactly what girls want.

“The biggest turn-offs for girls is if a lad still lives with his mum – for some reason the girls don’t like that. Or if the guy is really short. It’s a shame but the girls just won’t have it!”

Paddy married model Christine in 2011 – they have twins Penelope and Leo, four, and toddler Felicity. He recalled: “I proposed on Christmas s Eve. That was quite romantic with th all the lights and stuff. It was lovely.”

But his efforts weren’t always so successful uccessful – and he even gave one ne date whiplash.

“We’d been en for something to eat. I was only y 19 so when I say something hing to eat...McDonald’s! ald’s!

“I was coming ming out of the car park and reversed into another car. r. I didn’t hear from rom her again – –I I don’t know if it was the whiplash or the fact I was in a red Ford Sierra. It could be either/or really. “Thank goodness there weren’t ‘Where there’s blame, there’s a claim’ ads back then.” Paddy says although dating apps today have made meeting people easier, face to face is best. “When I was younger you’d go out, meet someone, take their number and ring their house thinking, ‘ Oh, please don’t let their dad pick up the phone.’ “All th that’s gone. They’re all just swiping on Tinder and using dating apps. a But I think our contes contestants are still in the minds mindset of meeting someone in the flesh, speaking to them and seeing if they get on.” Ta Take Me Out returns tonig night at 6.45pm – with tw twists. One show features all over 50s. Another has 30 m men lined up instead. After ten years, Paddy ad admits: “It’s strange sayin ing, ‘Bring on the boys’ and no not ‘Bring on the girls.’”