I crashed and gave the girl whiplash on a date... I didn't hear from her again
MARION McMULLEN chats to Paddy McGuinness about 10 series of matchmaking on Take Me Out
Are you romantic?
I’D like to think so, but I think a man’s idea of romance is different to a woman’s!
What is the most romantic thing you’ve ever done?
WELL, I proposed to my wife on Christmas Eve, that was quite romantic with all the lights and stuff. That was lovely.
Have you played matchmaker with any of your friends?
NEVER! It’s funny because when I step away from the job, I’m at home chilling. All my mates are already in relationships so I’ve no one to even fix up. Everyone’s got long-term partners, [are] married or they are not interested. That’s why I channel all my energy into the people who come on Take Me Out.
What’s your worst dating disaster?
IT’S a while back, but I once reversed my car into another car in a car park and gave a girl whiplash. That wasn’t very good and I didn’t hear from her again – I don’t know if it was because of the whiplash or the fact that I was in a red Ford Sierra. It could have been either/or really.
We’d been for something to eat, I was only 19 so when I say something to eat... McDonalds! I was coming out of the car park and crashed. We never saw each other again.
Thank goodness there weren’t the ‘Where there’s blame, there’s a claim’ adverts back then.
How does it feel reaching the tenth series of Take Me Out?
IT’S mad because it’s the same crew so you look forward to seeing everyone.
I just genuinely don’t know where the time has gone. It’s crazy considering the amount of weddings we’ve had and kids being born from people meeting on the show.
I feel very proud. It’s lovely.
Why do you think people love the show so much?
WE’RE careful not to try and be too ‘cool for school.’
It’s a dating show, but it’s a Saturday night entertainment show as well, so you can sit there and watch it with your friends, family, the kids, everyone.
Everyone gets involved, we’re all shouting at the telly telling her to pick him.
It’s just a nice easy watch.
What’s the biggest mistake a guy can make on the show?
IT’S not so much a mistake, but across all series it never changes, the biggest things to make girls turn off are – if a lad still lives with his mum, for some reason the girls don’t like that, or if the guy is really short, which is a shame. But the girls just won’t have it.
Do people stop you on the street trying to get on the show?
I GET a lot of people asking about the show and then people 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 the words ‘Fernando’s’ or ‘No likey, no lighty’ you instantly know what the show is. I love that.
You are doing a special for older ladies this series. How did that come about?
WE did an OAP special for Text Santa about four or five years ago, but we only did one round. It was really popular and I really loved doing it. I always had that in my mind, so we decided to do it as part of the tenth anniversary.
It’s over 50s and older. Just because you’re over 50 doesn’t mean that you can’t find love or meet somebody.
Do you think it is harder to find love when you’re older?
WHEN I was younger, that process of going out and meeting someone, taking their number, ringing their house up and thinking ‘Oh please don’t let their dad pick up the ‘phone’ all that’s gone. They’re all just swiping on Tinder and using dating apps. I suppose it’s easier now.
Are you proud of the show’s success – seven weddings and three babies so far?
I AM really proud, it’s the world’s most successful dating show, which is amazing.
I met a little girl the other day whose parents were contestants and I sat there thinking ‘This little person would not be here if mum and dad hadn’t met on Take Me Out’. It’s mad when you think about it. I don’t get emotional, I’m just proud to be a part of something like that. It’s great and just a nice ‘boy meets girl/ they go off to Fernando’s’ thing and hopefully something comes of it.
The fact we’ve had seven weddings and three children is amazing. There are another two children on the way. Even two people from our crew, who had met behind the scenes, recently got married. So I’m spreading the love, even when I’m off duty.
What’s the naughtiest bit of gossip you’ve heard coming out of Fernando’s?
WELL, they keep me in the dark with stuff like that, honestly, they do!
I don’t get to hear any gossip about the dates, but I’m not too fussed about that. What I hear is what viewers see happen on the telly, that’s it.
Can Take Me Out last another 10 years and would you still want to host it?
WE’LL have to wait and see but I don’t immerse myself in showbiz life. I’m not at every red carpet event or going to the opening of an envelope. 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.
Take Me Out, ITV, tonight, 6.45pm.
I met a little girl the other day whose parents were contestants and I sat there thinking ‘This little person would not be here if mum and dad hadn’t met on Take Me Out’. It’s mad when you think about it...
Paddy on Take Me Out’s impressive record of creating lasting relationships