Inside the middle-aged love nest where stars of My Mum, Your Dad can get cosy with a freestanding bar, day beds and hot tub (but don’t worry kids, there’s no cameras in the bedroom!)
ITV’s new dating show My Mum, Your Dad, has shared a first look at the luxurious mansion where the middle-aged singletons can kick off their quest for love.
The reality series was filmed at a stunning manor in West Sussex where the contestants can get to know each other.
And the hopefuls, which were revealed on Monday, will certainly be living in luxury as the manor boasts a swimming pool, day beds and a standalone bar.
The ITV2 series follows single parents who have been nominated by their grown-up kids for a second chance at love.
Dubbed the ‘Middle-Aged Love Island’, parents will undergo dates and bonding workshops while unknowing being watched by their children from an out-house with ‘pillows over their faces’ in embarrassment.
Living it up: ITV’s new dating show My Mum, Your Dad, has shared a first look at the luxurious mansion where the middle-aged singletons can kick off their quest for love
Exciting: The reality series, which is hosted by Davina McCall, was filmed at a stunning manor in West Sussex where the contestants can get to know each other
Having fun: The hopefuls, which were revealed on Monday , will certainly be living in luxury at the countryside manor
The manor, which will act as the setting for the singletons on their quest to find love, is surrounded by the picturesque English countryside, making it the perfect setting for the beginning of a romance.
The singletons can relax on a day bed next to the indoor pool, or head outside to a cosy garden snug.
While the kitchen also boasts a huge dining table, it also includes a standalone bar where budding couples can enjoy a drink together.
Speaking about the new show, which will air for two weeks from September 11, Davina has told how viewers will be able to relate to the families on the show.
The singletons will believe they are being matched up by relationship experts, when in reality, Davina has shocked their children by roping them in to help with the dates.
Davina admitted there were moments in filming where the adult kids were hiding behind cushions from embarrassment, but insisted there will be no sex scenes shown on TV.
She explained: ‘There are no cameras in the bedrooms, I think it’s important to point out that it is different in that way.
‘For me personally speaking, I’d rather watch the hint of love, the hint of something coming, should I shouldn’t I, a moment of tenderness – that’s so exciting – but jumping into bed with each other sh**ging, once you’ve seen it once, it doesn’t mean anything.
So much drama! The ITV2 series follows single parents who have been nominated by their grown-up kids for a second chance at love
Lovely! The stunning home features a standalone bar where the singletons can enjoy a drink and get to know each other
Nowhere to hide! While there won’t be an addition of a hideaway, the singletons can share their feelings in the confessions room
Relaxing: The grounds of the mansion boasts plenty of cosy areas where the singletons can step away for a chat
So much drama! The middle-aged singletons, unaware that they’ve been matched by their children, will also be watched by their offspring
Time for a dip! The singletons can relax on a day bed next to the indoor pool, or head outside to a cosy garden snug
Delicious! While the kitchen also boasts a huge dining table, it also includes a standalone bar where budding couples can enjoy a drink together
Moving: Speaking about the new show, which will air for two weeks from September 11, Davina has told how viewers will be able to relate to the families on the show
Exciting! The singletons will believe they are being matched up by relationship experts, when in reality, Davina has shocked their children by roping them in to help with the dates
Privacy: Davina admitted there were moments in filming where the adult kids were hiding behind cushions from embarrassment, but insisted there will be no sex scenes shown on TV
Distance: She explained: ‘There are no cameras in the bedrooms, I think it’s important to point out that it is different in that way’
Quote: ‘For me personally speaking, I’d rather watch the hint of love, the hint of something coming, should I shouldn’t I, a moment of tenderness’
‘This really f**king means something, when you see people falling, you know this is serious. That’s so lovely. But yes, there are moments where the kids have got cushions over their faces. They’ve never seen their parents in a date situation.’
My Mum, Your Dad has been described as ‘the middle aged Love Island’, and Davina said she unintentionally gave the programme its nickname and has been trying to ‘burn’ it ever since.
She told how she wrote an email to ITV pitching her own idea for a middle-aged dating show, and while that never got used, she was called in to host My Mum, Your Dad.
Speaking of the email, she said: ‘It was my fault that it got called mid-life Love Island, because that’s what I called it in my email, I’m sorry about that. We’ve been trying to burn that name ever since! I’m sorry, I’ve ruined it!’
Similar to Love Island, My Mum, Your Dad will air on weeknights from September 11 but will only last for two weeks, with Davina insisting it can be shorter because the parents know what they are looking for.
There is no prize money up for grabs at the end of the retreat, with Davina telling how ‘the prize is love’ as she insisted there is nothing ‘cynical’ about the show.
Davina also spoke about the difficulties of dating in your 40s or 50s, admitting that struggles with confidence and self-esteem don’t get any easier as you get older.
She said: ‘It doesn’t get any better as you get older, sometimes you can rationalise it more, but it’s still there. We witness that a lot, and you are willing them, someone to go and talk to them about it.’
The former Big Brother host confessed that many middle-aged singletons struggle to understand dating apps, making it harder for them to find their second loves.
‘We’re of that generation where apps are weird, we don’t know how to do apps,’ she said. ‘Like “what do you mean you’re still talking to 17 other people when we’re going out?”, I don’t understand how that works! It’s hard isn’t it!’
Davina went on to describe the show as a ‘dream come true’ as she spoke about how she has always wanted to see middle-aged love represented on primetime TV.
She said: ‘When I walked in, I was literally beside myself. Firstly because it was like a dream come true to walk into an entertainment TV programme, primetime ITV, and see my people.
Touching: ‘This really f**king means something, when you see people falling, you know this is serious. That’s so lovely,’ she added
Reality TV: My Mum, Your Dad will air weeknights from September 11 (pictured L-R Kaliel and his mum Natalie, Zachary and his dad Elliott, Karli and mum Caroline, Sharon and daughter Tia, Jessica and her dad Roger, Taiya and her mum Monique, Paul and his daughter Mazey and Clayton and his son Christian)
‘A bunch of mid-lifers, who all look really cool, really fun, culturally at the same place in life, we all understand each other, second time-rounders. It was really brilliant to be in a room with those types of people.’
My Mum, Your Dad will kick off on September 11 and will see four single mothers and four single fathers be dropped off at a West Sussex mansion by their kids for their second chance at love.
The parents and children are both told that relationship experts will guide the dates, but the kids are given quite the shock when they are told they are, in fact, the experts.
Over the course of two weeks, the single parents will go on dates and attend workshops to get to know each other, all while their kids play matchmakers.
My Mum, Your Dad starts Monday September 11, 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX. The series will run on consecutive weeknights for two weeks.
My Mum, Your Dad: Meet the single parents and their matchmaker kids!
Meet the parents … and their matchmaker kids!
Name: Monique
Age: 50
Location: Winchmore Hill
Profession: Therapist/student
How would you describe yourself in a few words? Kind-hearted, a believer in God and positive. I radiate love!
Why did your daughter nominate you for MMYD? To dip my toes back in the pool of dating, and try and connect with someone and find love, and experience living with other people again.
Name: Sharon
Age: 53
Location: Sunderland
Profession: Safeguarding and welfare officer in education
How would you describe yourself in a few words? Fun, genuine, personable.
Why did your daughter nominate you for MMYD? She was getting desperate! I’d lost all confidence in myself. I think for Tia she was wanting to give me a bit of a helping hand.
Name: Caroline
Age: 51
Location: South Lanarkshire
Profession: Tech advisor/scan assistant at a private baby clinic
How would you describe yourself in a few words? Charismatic, outgoing and fun. I can be a bit fiery at times!
Why did your daughter nominate you for MMYD? I’ve been single for such a long time, it’s probably the longest I’ve ever been single! I’ve always been quite happy being single but I think she thought, ‘Mum, you need to get out there!’
Name: Natalie
Age: 44
Location: Bournemouth
Profession: Self-esteem and relationship recovery coach
How would you describe yourself in a few words? Adventurous, deep and outgoing.
Why did your son nominate you for MMYD? I’ve been on my own for a long time. I think he thinks it’s my time for me now.
Name: Paul
Age: 51
Location: London, lives in Bath
Profession: Owner, decorating company
How would you describe yourself in a few words? Very chilled, laid back and loyal.
Why did your daughter nominate you for MMYD? She feels I need to sort myself out when it comes to dating!
Name: Clayton
Age: 57
Location: Nottingham
Profession: Pastoral support officer
How would you describe yourself in a few words? I’m pretty effervescent. I’m all about balance in terms of fun – I’d say there’s a cheeky side to me.
Why did your son Christian nominate you for MMYD? He’d like to see me settled with someone I could have a future with.
Name: Roger
Age: 58
Location: Derbyshire
Profession: Postman
How would you describe yourself in a few words? Fun, loving, conscientious, struggling to get old – I don’t want to get old. I lost my wife, I know that you can get up and life can be over in a split second.
Why did your daughter Jess nominate you for MMYD? She’s a lovely girl. Her mum was really thoughtful in everything – she could plan things to a detail – and Jess has got that. She is so thoughtful and it was just a lovely thing for her to say, ‘Dad, look, we understand that you’re struggling and it’s been hard and we know that you’ve got a lot of love to give and we’re OK if you were to see someone else’.
Following my wife passing 18 months ago, I didn’t really want to meet anyone. You don’t expect it to be you and you don’t expect it to be your wife. But I’m going on the show to get some confidence. I must have subconsciously wanted to meet someone by saying yes to the show.
Name: Elliott
Age: 53
Location: Essex
Profession: PE teacher/football coach
How would your son describe you? He’d say I am good fun, easy going (I’m not easy going).
Why did your son nominate you for MMYD? He wants rid of me! I think the prospect of me being in his life for too much longer was a burden. No, he just wants me to be happy.
Name: Taiya
Age: 21
Location: North London
Profession: Student
Why did you nominate your mum to go on the show? I nominated my mum because I think she deserves love! She’s put everything aside to raise me and my sister for so many years so I thought now is my mum’s time.
Name: Tia
Age: 24
Location: Sunderland
Profession: Social media influencer
Why did you nominate your mum to go on the show? I feel like it’s finally her time to be happy. I think she’s put herself on the backburner to bring up myself and my sister. In the last few years I feel like she’s given up on love, so she didn’t want to try anymore. I hope putting her forward will be the push she needs to put herself first.
Name: Karli
Age: 20
Location: South Lanarkshire
Profession: Flight attendant
Why did you nominate your mum to go on the show? She was single for a while and she doesn’t seem to have any luck with guys. So I thought why not?
Name: Kaliel
Age: 20
Location: Bournemouth
Profession: Gas and plumbing apprentice
Why did you nominate your mum to go on the show? Because I wanted her to find someone and be happy. I saw it advertised and I thought it would be perfect for her.
Name: Mazey
Age: 21
Location: Bath
Profession: University Student
Why did you nominate your dad to go on the show? I want to see him settled. The way he was dating before wasn’t working. I wanted him to date outside of the box.
Name: Christian
Age: 35
Location: Nottingham
Profession: Graphic artist/warehouse employee
Why did you nominate your dad to go on the show? I just want him to settle down, find the right person – he’s getting on now! I want him to live life with someone. I want him to travel with someone and get out there.
Name: Jess
Age: 28
Location: Derbyshire
Profession: Network rail planner
Why did you nominate your dad to go on the show? It was a joint thing with my brother and sister and it was our way of basically telling him that we were happy for him to start dating, if that was something he wanted to do.
It was a cop out on our part really, as it meant we didn’t need to sit down and actually say it. It was a sneaky way of saying, ‘Oh look at this, do you want to look into this?’ Never actually expected anything to come of it.
It was about putting dad first. We’d never really thought about us, or about ourselves in that situation. I wasn’t thinking about how I’d react, I was thinking about him.
The reason for that is he does the same for us, he would always put family first. So it was just a way of saying to him, stop worrying about us. If he wasn’t ready, that was also totally fine. It wasn’t an ultimatum. It was just, if you want to, you can, don’t worry about us.
Name: Zachary
Age: 21
Location: Essex
Profession: University student
Why did you nominate your dad to go on the show? He deserves a chance to be happy and he hasn’t had that. I want him to have what a lot of his friends have done; get married and settle down. He deserves the opportunity to find the ‘end stages’ of love.
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