Every week, First Dates manages to produce some kind of TV gold, be it funny, cringeworthy, or poignant.
On Tuesday night’s episode we met Danny Bennett, a model and Pleasure Boys entertainer originally from Birmingham, who was being set up with single mum Kate.
Danny, a 6’4″ man-mountain who is almost completely covered in tattoos, made a big impression straight away.
Hello massively tall tattooed Danny on #firstdates 😘
— Rosie Astbury (@Rosieroundface) April 19, 2016
Danny… 😍 #FirstDates pic.twitter.com/sp374rUZvx
— Frankie (@frankiefermi) April 19, 2016
Unusually for First Dates (or most first dates for that matter), Danny noticeably wasn’t drinking, ordering rounds of pineapple juices as he and Kate chatted and flirted – and he complimented her boobs in as charming a way as possible.
On #FirstDates, don't talk about EVERYTHING that's on your mind. It's for the breast. Best. For the best. https://t.co/EJvx4Xeq76
— Channel 4 (@Channel4) April 19, 2016
Danny really seemed like Kate’s stated type too, and the two had real chemistry. But then Kate asked why Danny wasn’t drinking, and it slowly emerged that Danny was a recovering drug addict, having gone through a dark period in his early twenties.
Kate’s response to the news was gracious, but you could sense that she had started to cool considerably towards the guy.
We’ll cheers to that, Danny – with a pineapple juice obvs.🍍✅ #FirstDates pic.twitter.com/xkcBQ5WOeg
— First Dates (@FirstDates) April 19, 2016
In her defence, Kate explained that as a mum, she had to prioritise her child’s safety and emotional security, and, in the post-date interview, she kindly but firmly ruled out any further dates with Danny.
Viewers were hugely impressed with Danny’s honesty:
#FirstDates Congrats on quitting drugs Danny. Never let anyone say you are dull or boring for not drinking.
— Helen Miller (@Aquamonkey92) April 19, 2016
Well done #Danny it's nice to see the guy open up about addiction. #firstdates 👍🏾
— Ashford (@ashman18874) April 19, 2016
Danny is awesome. Good for him getting to where he is now. #firstdates
— Laverne (@LaverneAwlEars) April 19, 2016
And although he was a gentleman about Kate’s decision…
There’s someone out there for all of us, Danny. Sorry you didn’t find her tonight. 💫 #FirstDates pic.twitter.com/cHqS8beoDZ
— First Dates (@FirstDates) April 19, 2016
…Danny did retweet this message afterwards…
Still, it seems like Danny won’t be short on offers after this; maybe he’ll even be invited back to try again?
Danny may raise the bar when it comes to tattoos, but alcohol is strictly off the menu. 💪🏻🍹🚫 #FirstDates pic.twitter.com/m0YbSYV4BX
— First Dates (@FirstDates) April 19, 2016
Are you a recovering addict like Danny? If so, how did you navigate the dating world? Email us Hello@JOE.co.uk or message us on Facebook.
