Latest news with #Sirieix
Wales Online
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Fred Sirieix's Olympic star daughter, mystery wife and 'crying every day' on BBC show
Fred Sirieix's Olympic star daughter, mystery wife and 'crying every day' on BBC show The beloved TV personality is on BBC show Who Do You Think You Are? alongside his daughter Fred Sirieix and Fruitcake attend the Royal Albert Hall on March 07, 2025 (Image: Getty Images ) Fred Sirieix has built a distinguished career in the hospitality industry, becoming one of the UK's most recognisable television personalities. After training in a Michelin-starred restaurant in France, he moved to London, where he worked at esteemed establishments such as La Tante Claire and Galvin at Windows, the latter of which he managed for 14 years. Sirieix's transition to television began with Channel 4's "First Dates," where his charm and professionalism as the maître d'hôtel endeared him to audiences. His television repertoire expanded to include shows like "Million Pound Menu" on BBC Two and ITV's "Gordon, Gino and Fred's Road Trip," showcasing his versatility and charisma. In 2023, he was a contestant on "I'm a Me Out of Here!" further cementing his status as a beloved TV figure. Tonight, viewers can see a different side of Sirieix as he delves into his family history on BBC One's "Who Do You Think You Are?" In this episode, he travels to France with his daughter Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, to explore their roots. Here, we take a look at parts of his life away from the TV screen. Olympic star daughter Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix has established herself as one of Britain's most promising diving talents. Born in London in 2004, she made her international debut at just 13 and clinched her first solo international gold at the 2020 FINA Diving Grand Prix in Rostock. That same year, she was honoured as the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year. Article continues below Her breakthrough came in 2022 when she secured gold in the women's 10m platform at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, becoming the first English woman to win the event since 1966. She followed this feat with European Championship gold in the same discipline and added further accolades in synchronised and mixed synchro events alongside partners Lois Toulson and Noah Williams. In 2024, Spendolini-Sirieix continued her impressive trajectory. At the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, she contributed to Great Britain's gold in the team event and earned bronze medals in both the individual 10m platform and the synchronised 10m platform with Toulson. Later that year, at the Paris Olympics, the duo clinched bronze in the women's 10m synchronised platform, marking a significant milestone in her career. Although she finished sixth in the individual event, her performance solidified her status as a leading figure in British diving. Her achievements were recognised with titles such as European Aquatics' Female Diver of the Year and The Sunday Times Young Sportswoman of the Year. "Amazing," Fred said of his daughter's Olympic achievement in an interview with OK! "Andrea has been training since she was eight. The Olympics was her dream. And to win a medal in Paris – it was incredible. "She's won medals for Britain and Italy, but never in France. She trained so hard she barely went to school, but she still got brilliant results. I've always said if you want something, you've got to work for it. No shortcuts. You're going to suffer. It's got to be painful." Beyond her athletic accomplishments, Spendolini-Sirieix's journey has been marked by resilience. She has openly discussed overcoming personal challenges, including mental health struggles, and credits her family, particularly her father, for their unwavering support. Their emotional embrace after her Olympic bronze win became a poignant moment of the Games. Spendolini-Sirieix (right) was in tears after winning bronze New wife and her nickname Sirieix recently married his long-term partner, affectionately nicknamed "Fruitcake," in a picturesque ceremony at Pattoo Castle in Negril, Jamaica. The couple, who have been together since 2018, exchanged vows on February 18, 2025, after postponing their original wedding plans due to Covid. The bride, however, has not publicly disclosed her real name, leading to an air of mystery around her. On the wedding day, she looked stunning in an elegant white gown, while Sirieix donned a classic white tuxedo jacket and black bow tie. The intimate celebration was attended by close friends and family, including Sirieix's children from a previous relationship, Andrea and Lucien. When asked in the same OK! interview why he nicknamed her Fruitcake, Sirieix replied: "That one's just between her and me. It works for us. She's Fruitcake. That's all you need to know. And that's all she wants you to know. We're happy that way." Despite the couple's public profiles, they have maintained a level of privacy regarding their personal lives. Fruitcake, a fashion enthusiast, has occasionally appeared alongside Sirieix at public events, but the pair have kept details about her personal background and profession private. Sirieix has spoken fondly of their bond, noting how their connection deepened during the pandemic lockdowns, strengthening their commitment to one another. Crying 'every day' on BBC show Sirieix will appear tonight on Who Do You Think You Are? and the journey is an emotional one for the TV star. Sirieix delves into his family history on the BBC One show, during which he travels to France with his daughter, Andrea, to explore their roots. The journey uncovers stories of wartime romance and resilience, including the tale of his grandfather René, a prisoner of war during World War II, and his great-grandfather Léonard Bordas, who fought in some of the most harrowing battles of the First World War . "Oh, I cried every day in fact, because it was very emotional," he said. "I went to Burgundy, where my grandfather was a prisoner of war. I went to the very place he was held during the Second World War. He escaped from there to go home, crossing the whole of France. "It was so dangerous. The penalty was being shot. What I didn't realise is that my grandfather was suffering from PTSD, and so was my great-grandfather, who, incredibly, took part in the First World War from the very first battle to the last. And he survived. Article continues below "I mean, it's just incredible."
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fred Sirieix marries longtime partner Fruitcake after five-year engagement
Fred Sirieix has tied the knot with his partner, who he affectionately refers to as Fruitcake, five years after they got engaged. The First Dates star, 53, shared a photograph from their wedding in Jamaica on Instagram, with the date they officially said "Yes" to one another, which fell on Tuesday 18 February. He wore a tuxedo with a white shirt and jacket, with a black bow tie, trousers and shoes, while Fruitcake wore a strapless column wedding dress with a long lace-edged veil. The photograph showed the couple smiling as they held hands outside Pattoo Castle, with white confetti being sprinkled over them. In his Instagram Stories, Sirieix also shared a photograph of the couple leaning over the balcony during sunset. Little is known about Fruitcake, who is a 50-year-old fashion influencer specialising in "making high street fashion look luxe", according to her Instagram account. Sirieix and Fruitcake made their relationship public in 2018. During his stint on I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! last year, Sirieix shared how he and Fruitcake met by simply smiling at each other while walking on a street in Peckham. "The way I met Fruitcake, I met her in Peckham. I was walking up and she was smiling at me, and I was smiling at her, and I liked her eyes," he recalled. "I just had to talk to her. I asked for her number. I said, 'Shall we go for a drink tonight?' That was nine years ago." The couple have largely kept their relationship out of the public eye. Fruitcake confirmed on Instagram that the affectionate nickname is not her real name, adding: "My mum would never!" However, Sirieix has previously spoken openly about their intimacy and said that he has "never enjoyed sex as much as now" after meeting his like-minded partner. He told The Sun in 2020: "I think it's a confidence thing and meeting another person who feels exactly the same way as me. "I like myself much more than when I was 20, I'm a better human being than when I was 20. It's that overall wisdom." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Fred Sirieix (@fred_sirieix) The couple got engaged in 2020 and had initially planned to have their wedding in 2021, but had to delay it due to Covid. Fruitcake shared some additional snaps from the big day on her Instagram Stories. One clip showed a long dining table decorated with candles and pink and white flowers, with fairy lights strung along the ceiling and walls. She also shared a close-up photo of her updo, featuring a sparkling tiara, as well as a clip of her stiletto heels by Rene Caovilla and dangling pearl earrings. While Fruitcake rarely shares posts about Sirieix, she did dedicate a special Instagram post to him on 27 January for his birthday, calling him her "favourite partner-in-crime". "Happy Birthday to my favourite partner-in-crime! Here's to more adventures, laughter, and love. Let's make this year the best one yet! In fact I know it will be." Sirieix was previously with Italian Alessandra Spendolini, who he shares Olympic bronze medal winner Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix and son Lucien with. Additional reporting by PA Read more about sex and relationships: Harriet Walter says marrying later in life is 'exactly when you want to be married' (Yahoo Life UK, 3-min read) 'We've been married nearly 70 YEARS, and here's the secret to everlasting love' (Manchester Evening News, 2-min read) Seven ways to find love later in life as Kristin Scott Thomas marries at 64 (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
The Independent
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
First Dates star Fred Sirieix ties the knot with partner Fruitcake
First Dates star Fred Sirieix has tied the knot with his partner, a woman he refers to as Fruitcake, this week. The 53-year-old French maitre d'hotel wed his fiancee – who not much is known about – of around five years on Tuesday in a ceremony in Negril, Jamaica. On Fruitcake's social media account, she refers to herself as aged 50 and a fashionista with style tips. Sirieix shared an image to Instagram of the pair wearing wedding clothes, and wrote '18.02.2025' to signify the wedding date. He was quickly congratulated by Dragons' Den star Sara Davies, A Place In The Sun and Homes Under the Hammer presenter Lucy Alexander, and Olympian Greg Rutherford. Davies wrote: 'Huge congratulations you two and fruitcake looks stunning!' Alexander said: 'Ahhh congratulations Fred .. how wonderful' Rutherford wrote: 'Huge congratulations my friend.' Sirieix was previously with Italian Alessandra Spendolini, who he shares Olympic bronze medal winner Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix and son Lucien with. Last year, he was part of the BBC's Olympic coverage in Paris and is also known for travel shows including Remarkable Places To Eat. Sirieix has presented BBC series My Million Pound Menu, and competed on ITV's I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special.
The Independent
28-01-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
First Dates' Fred Siriex: How to date intentionally in 2025
From endlessly scrolling profiles online and confusing situationships, to ghosting, benching and catfishing, modern dating feel a bit hopeless at times. So how can we be more intentional about finding love? We asked Fred Siriex, best known as the First Dates maître d'hôtel – as the show heads into its 23rd series on Channel 4. Try meeting in the wild again 'It's different from when I was younger because you now suddenly have an endless pool of people to choose from. It's also usually now done on apps, which can lead people to being stood up or catfished,' says Sirieix. 'It can also make meeting in real life difficult because you're now in front of the person, there is no where you go, you can't just put your phone down and end the conversation which is what people are used to.' It's a different world to the 80s and 90s, Sirieix says. 'I think there is no substitute for real life and meeting people in person. To keep a relationship alive, it can be difficult if you are not physically together. Physical presence and physical proximity is key.' 'When you are in proximity with someone, you can see them, touch them, smell them, look at them which will benefit your relationship. When you're online through an app, or long distance, it can make it more difficult.' Communicate exactly what you want With the rise of numerous types of relationships – whether it's long distance, open, polyamorous, 'living apart but together' – Sirieix says as long as it works for everyone involved, it's nobody else's business. 'We see everything and anything on First Dates and that's what I like about it. As long as the people having the date are happy and it works for them, then that's all that matters. However, communication is needed for any relationship, no matter what it is,' he says. 'You have to know what you want. If you want a one night stand, you have to say that. If you want something long term, you have to say that. 'You have to explain to people, be explicit and be clear, because nothing is obvious until it's obvious. Once you've made it clear to the person what it is, then they can decide if they want the same.' Take a risk and be vulnerable In dating, opening up can be difficult for many people, especially if they've been hurt in the past or have unhealed trauma. However, Siriex says this shouldn't hold you back from being honest and vulnerable with someone new. 'You're starting a new story. Although everyone has trauma that lingers in the mind, you have to be able to get past these hurdles, be yourself and allow yourself to trust somebody else,' he says. 'It's an act of faith, but the main thing is to remain positive and confident in yourself and your choice.' As someone who has seen hundreds of first dates happen in real life, Siriex says the best way to make sparks fly on a first date is to tell the person what you think, how you're feeling and how they make you feel. 'Somebody has to come out and say these things first. So if it's you, just go for it and then see what might happen. But somebody has to start,' he says. Take a break from dating if you need According to a 2024 Forbes Health study, 78% of dating app users reportedly feel 'emotionally, mentally, or physically exhausted' by them. Siriex says if you're tired from dating and it hasn't happened yet for you, just take a rest and you never know what might happen. 'I hear stories about men and women really trying to find someone. But sometimes it's not about the destination, it's about the journey and you should enjoy that journey,' he says. 'It can be frustrating and long and it can feel like you're wasting your time and not getting anywhere, however it's also remembering, you don't know where you could meet someone.' 'It could be on the bus or the tube. You may engage in a conversation with somebody and it could lead somewhere. But you just don't know how it's going to start. 'Sometimes you have to follow your instinct and your heart. You can't be defeatist with it.' Stop looking for perfection With increasing choice and options out there, Siriex reminds us that the perfect person doesn't exist. 'We are not perfect. We look at ourselves in the mirror and we can see imperfections, and other people see that in themselves too,' he says. 'We need to be honest with ourselves, let other people be honest and accept them. We want to be accepted and loved so we have to also do the same for others.' The new series of First Dates begins on February 3, 10pm, on Channel 4.
