
Missing Virgin Island? 3 more reality shows for a loved-up summer
From their emotional vulnerability to the joy of being carefree in the moment, it's safe to say the participants of Virgin Island stole the hearts of the nation.
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First Dates host Fred Sirieix (right) with one of the show's stars Merlin Griffiths
Now the series has come to an end, are you looking to fill the void it's left behind?
Channel 4 has a plethora of shows to choose from, and we've lined up three reality series that are perfect if you loved Virgin Island.
Remember the first time
Want to continue the theme of firsts? Why not tap into one of Channel 4's most successful franchises: First Dates.
Making matches for over a decade, TV's most wholesome dating show is back with its 24th season.
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If you've not seen the show before (where have you been?), just like Virgin Island, First Dates provides heartwarming, authentic encounters between genuine people.
With everyone looking for one thing – love – the show provides the most romantic interactions, as well as some hilarious moments that could only happen on a first date.
Hosted by TV favourite Fred Sirieix and his stellar team, will this season bring us another First Dates wedding?
Or will there be more awkward meetings of exes or first date fails?
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Most read in Reality
One thing's certain: this series of firsts will satisfy your reality loving needs!
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Relationship gurus Anna Williamson and Paul Carrick Brunson (middle) help stars find true love in Celebs Go Dating
Guided by experts
Do you love the knowledge and wisdom an expert brings to a reality show?
Virgin Island had its sexologists, whereas another Channel 4 show brings a different type of boffin – the relationship experts.
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Paul Carrick Brunson and Anna Williamson have entered the chat.
They are the relationship experts who guide six hopeless celebrities in their quests to find true love in Celebs Go Dating.
From date debriefs to raw, honest chats, the experts provide the no-nonsense advice we wish we could tell celebrities when we read about their relationships online!
Back for series 14, the show is set to be a juicy one this year.
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The line-up includes pop star and reality TV legend Kerry Katona, as well as other familiar faces including Olivia Hawkins, Louis Russell, Jon Lee, Mark Labbett and Christine McGuinness.
There's nothing more satisfying than learning that celebs are just like us and have the same first date jitters that we do.
Expect some hilarious moments, awkward convos and straight-talking advice as we watch the celeb agency clients navigate the world of dating someone 'normal'!
Let's just hope no one gets with a fellow celebrity this year.
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A rowdy crew, mad guest requests, lovely boats – it's all in Below Deck Mediterranean
Reality in paradise
Virgin Island takes place on an idyllic retreat set in the stunning waters of Croatia.
If you're craving more sea, sun and summer reality TV vibes, then Below Deck Mediterranean should be next on your watchlist!
The latest season is available on Channel 4, letting you dive into the world of yachting and the super-rich.
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With Captain Sandy at the helm, along with her rowdy crew, can the team master the guests' wild demands while also navigating their own personal lives?
Expect mishaps, close calls, lavish themed nights and some rather bonkers guest requests – maybe paradise isn't so stress-free after all!
Read more on the Irish Sun
Already watched the drama in the Med? Find more onboard action in the Caribbean and Australia by streaming Below Deck or Below Deck Down Under.
Hot dates to watch out for
NEVER miss an episode this summer. Here's when to watch with Channel 4…
First Dates
Catch up with Fred and the gang, and all the hilarious first dates in series 1 to 23 – available now. Series 24 episodes are dropping weekly.
Celebs Go Dating
Series 1 to 13 are available, with season 14 episodes coming each week from August 4.
Below Deck
Season 11 of Below Deck has just arrived, with episodes dropping weekly.
You can also watch the latest season of Below Deck Mediterranean.
Keep an eye out for the new series of Below Deck Sailing Yacht launching on August 6.
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The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Liz Hurley, 60, stuns in red dress as she holds hands with boyfriend Billy Ray Cyrus at The Inheritance premiere
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Extra.ie
7 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Inside Pauline McLynn's career as Fr Ted star joins Corrie
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Extra.ie
10 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Father Ted star lands new major role in Coronation Street
Father Ted's Pauline McLynn is returning to our screens after joining the cast of Coronation Street. The 63-year-old is most known for playing the lovable housekeeper Mrs Doyle in the iconic comedy series and now will venture across to the UK television scene to join the long-running soap. Pauline will star as part of a new family who will take over the local pub, the Rovers Return Inn. Pauline played the lovable Mrs Doyle. Pic: Channel 4 Catherine Tyldesley's character Eva Price, who was last seen on the show in 2018, will return alongside her latest partner and his mother, who are both new to the cobbles. Eva will return alongside her latest partner, Ben Driscoll, who is portrayed by 'Shameless' star Aaron McCusker. Pauline is playing Ben's interfering mother, Maggie. Ben's two sons and Eva's daughter Suzie will also be joining the cast. Residents will discover that Eva and Ben are taking over as the new landlady and landlord of the pub in October, seven years after Eva left the street to start a new life in France with her daughter. Coronation Street producer Kate Brooks said: 'We are beyond thrilled that Eva is returning as the landlady of the Rovers, with her new blended family in tow. 'The Driscolls do not arrive quietly, so expect big drama, explosive secrets and raucous knees ups galore. Pauline McLynn will play an interfering mother. Pic: Neil Mockford/WireImage 'To have actors of Catherine, Aaron and Pauline's considerable calibre at the beating heart of this family is absolutely wonderful, and we can't wait for you to get to know and fall in love with them as much as we have already done. 'Strap yourselves in, it's going to be an exciting and eventful ride.' A host of stars just left the UK series this year including Sue Cleaver, who spent 25 years playing Eileen Grimshaw. Among the others who have left are Colson Smith, who played Craig Tinker, Luca Toolan, who played Mason Radcliffe, and Helen Worth, who played Gail Platt. Coronation Street has been running for 65 years after first airing in December 1960. With the most recent one airing this week, the British soap has broadcasted 11,634 episodes and there are plenty more to come. It is estimated that it would take over six months to watch the whole series without taking a single break.