For those unfamiliar with First Dates Hotel, it’s a matchmaking show which brings single people together in a resort in the south of France.
In effect a super-sized version of First Dates, the restaurant-based show of which it is a spin-off, the programme generates appeal for the same reasons its predecessor proved so popular – the stories shared by its guests.
It has provided moving tales and cringeworthy comedy, but we’re not sure anything will have the same impact as Julie’s recounting of how her husband was murdered in front of her.
“We were backpacking in the Philippines and we got accosted and he got shot,” mother of three Julie told her date Dave, before sharing more details of the incident in private.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TbPYap7kic
Viewers were shocked to hear her speak so candidly about what must have been a traumatic moment, and shared their sympathies with Julie.
#FirstDatesHotel is breaking my heart 💔 please be happy again Julie!
— Kristen Hobden (@Kristenhobnob) January 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/alexandramayxo/status/821139065236049920
@FirstDates Julie's story was just heartbreaking #blueMonday got nothing compared to that. Sending big hugs to #firstdateshotel
— Chris 'Earl' Gray (@Wallabee1) January 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/dubhead77/status/821123118404083715
One of the comments, from someone who appeared to be her daughter, showed how proud she was of Julie’s appearance on the show.
https://twitter.com/can_i_just_/status/821122070889332737
https://twitter.com/can_i_just_/status/821125936477310977
Catch up with this week’s episode of Football Friday Live:
