Richard Blackwood will join a string of famous faces hoping to meet their match on a celebrity special of First Dates
EastEnders star Richard Blackwood will appear on the Channel 4 dating show First Dates next month as he attempts to find love in celebrity episode.
Richard, 44, who stars in EastEnders as reformed bad boy Vincent Hubbard, will feature in one of four planned specials.
Richard will appear alongside TOWIE star Jess Wright, Gogglebox's Scarlett Moffatt, TV star Esther Rantzen and Paralympian Will Bayley, who will each attempt to meet the man or woman of their dreams as part of the televised blind date.
Kellie Maloney, formerly boxing ace Frank Maloney, was also set to star but her segment was axed when it was claimed her date felt "uncomfortable" with her being transgender.
The Express reports that the show's executive producer, Nicola Lloyd, said of the upcoming series: "We're hugely excited about the new series of First Dates.
"It never seems to matter who walks through the doors of the First Dates restaurant, regardless of status we're all vulnerable human beings and our celebrity series confirms this."
She added: "We're proud to be able to maintain the emotional integrity of the series through these four unique celebrity episodes.
"Be prepared for some romantic matches alongside a few awkward encounter."
Richard will appear on First Dates on Channel 4, Friday, July 8, 9.00pm.
