A man is set to have his first-ever date with another guy televised to thousands.
Dean Leake, from Stockbridge Village, had never been on a date before since coming out as gay at the age of 16. The University of Liverpool student wanted to throw himself “in the deep end” and applied for Channel 4’s Teen First Dates. Now, after going through the in-depth application process and waiting two years, his experience will be on TV screens tonight - Wednesday, November 15 - at 8pm.
The 21-year-old told the ECHO: “I’m a massive fan of the show and I had never been in a relationship before or even on a date so I just saw it as an opportunity to find love. I know people go on reality shows for all different reasons but my intentions were really genuine, I did want to try and find love.”
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In usual fashion, Dean visited the Manchester-based restaurant where he was greeted by fan-favourite and now I’m a Celebrity contestant Fred Sirieix. However, as the then-teenager was the second out of his date to arrive, he had little time to speak with Fred or barman Merlin Griffiths.
The third-year English Literature student had said - whilst appearance was somewhat important to him - he was looking to find someone he could connect with on a deeper level. Dean, who works as a peer researcher for YPAS Liverpool, a mental health and well-being service, said a dealbreaker for him was how his date would treat the hospitality staff serving the meals as “this says a lot about someone”.
He said: “I was 100% feeling the pressure and walking in you could definitely tell I was. When I saw Fred, I was thinking lots of things to myself because it seemed real then. You don’t get an inkling at all as to who you’re dating, I didn’t have a clue. It was very secretive and suspenseful.”
Dean was paired with York teenager Farhan. The 19-year-old was looking for someone “a little nicer” and who he could “play footsie with under the table” after having previously appeared on the award-winning show and the relationship failing to progress beyond the date.
Dean added: “The date went really well and we went out for a drink after the show. We aren’t together now but we still have friendly chats. I wasn’t able to tell anyone about the experience and had to keep it to myself so I’m excited for everyone to see it. I’m still finding my feet in the dating game but it definitely helped with my confidence and who I am as a person. But I am still looking for love.
“The best part for me was being able to represent the community. The show was so inclusive and it didn’t feel like a box-ticking exercise at all thankfully. They value who you were as a person and what you brought to the date. It nice to be seen as a person as rather my sexuality.”
Dean is appearing on series three, episode four of Teen First Dates.
