Yahoo News First Dates episode pulled from schedule at the last minute
The latest episode of First Dates was pulled from Channel 4's schedule due to "editorial reasons".
Following the season premiere earlier this month, new episodes were set to air on Tuesday nights at 10pm. However, last night's (January 9) instalment was suddenly pulled by the broadcaster, with the new series also being removed from streaming services.
Channel 4 hasn't publicly expanded further on why it decided to pull the episode, but confirmed that the new series will resume its schedule from next Tuesday (January 16).
"Episodes were removed for editorial reasons and the new series will resume next Tuesday at 10pm," Channel 4 said of the change in a statement.
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The sudden cancellation even caught the show's maître d’ Fred Sirieix by surprise, as he revealed even he didn't know why the episode had been pulled.
"No idea what happened tonight with #FirstDates episode and when it will be aired. Clearly a glitch somewhere," he wrote, adding: "Sorry As soon as I hear I will let you know x"
Sirieix then addressed the incident again on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Wednesday (January 10). "Breaking news #FirstDates episode 2 will go out next Tuesday at 10pm. Then the series will run every week until #Valentine Sorry for the inconvenience last night," he wrote.
The sudden move had left many fans confused, with several sharing their dismay on Twitter/X as they realised the episode broadcast was a repeat.
"What happened to #FirstDates? I missed the announcement," one person asked.
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"When you wait all day for a new #FirstDates ep in the new restaurant and it's canceled seconds before 10pm," a second person wrote.
Season 21 of the Channel 4 dating series premiered last week, giving fans their first look at the show's brand new location in Bath.
The decision to move First Dates away from its established locations in London and Manchester coincided with the show's 10-year anniversary on screens, with the series promising the new location and format shake-up would see "some of the most unforgettable dating moments the show has ever featured".
First Dates airs on Channel 4.
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