First Dates Mary misses hugs from late husband
A FIRST Dates contestant has told how she went on the show as she longed for a cuddle after her hubby passed away.
Tipperary native Mary Swords is nervous dating John from Tipperary on the hit RTE show tonight but maitre d’ Mateo and the crew put her at ease.
Mary, 74, told the Irish Mirror: “Mateo and the team made us feel so welcome.
“It was a bit surreal you know with the lockdown and the social distancing but it was very enjoyable.
“We weren’t allowed to hug but we had a lovely time, I love hugs.”
After losing her husband four years ago, Mary admits she was lonely.
She said: “My husband John died four years ago, we were together 52 years.
“It was very hard when he died, life goes on, I was lonely on my own.
“When he died, my sister came to stay with me for three months, it was an awful hard time.”
Mary admits she was mainly looking for companionship.
She said: “I wasn’t looking to get married or anything, I was just looking for a companion, someone to go to a party or a wedding or a concert.
“I really missed the hugs from my husband John, he was a very affectionate man.”
FIRST DATES IRELAND RTE Two, 9.30pm MAITRE d’ Mateo and the team are back this week with a whole new gang of daters hoping to find love in the First Dates restaurant.
Among the hopefuls this week are Mary and Johnny from Tipperary, who are looking for their second chance at love, and two hairdressers who are hoping their date is a cut above the rest.
The evening kicks off with Mary, 74, from Tipperary sharing her story about her search for a second chance at love.
Her date tonight is 76-year-old “mad” Johnny from Thurles.
Returning to the restaurant, hairstylist Lain, 34, originally from Leeds, is hoping this time to feel the “tingle” of romance when he dates fellow coiffeur Dean, 31.
Seeking a tall, dark and handsome stranger, student nurse Carla, 19, from Down, gets the complete package in the form of Dublin postman Kieran, 21.
And after growing tired of virtual dating at home, Andrea, 32, from Louth arrives at the candy store in search of “the Leader of the Pack”.
She is paired with sales manager John (36) from Dublin.