First Dates' Fred Sirieix reveals they were contacted by POLICE while filming the new series

First Dates frontman Fred Sirieix has revealed the show’s crew were contacted by police on the first day they resumed filming with new COVID-19 restrictions.

The presenter, 49, revealed they were told by the authorities they had to complete filming by 10pm in accordance with new curfews as they were recording the Channel 4 show in a restaurant.

Fred also revealed that filming for First Dates’ 16th series was relocated to an eatery in Manchester for a change of scenery after seven years recording at the Paternoster Chop House in London.

Surprising: First Dates frontman Fred Sirieix, 49, has revealed the show’s crew were contacted by police on the first day they resumed filming with new COVID-19 restrictions

Speaking on Thursday’s This Morning, Fred chatted about the newest series of First Dates which began last week, and the new rules they had to follow in accordance with government guidelines.

He explained they were even contacted by the authorities reminding them of the curfew during filming.

He said: ‘We had very strict protocols. People were getting tested, in bubbles, it was like a military operation. 

Strict: The presenter revealed they were told by the authorities they had to complete filming by 10pm in accordance with the new curfews as they were filming in a restaurant

Restrictions: After filming was relocated to Manchester, Fred explained the police called the set to remind them of the curfews, which had since been replaced with a nationwide lockdown

‘On the very first day we were filming, the police gave us a call and they said you are a restaurant, you have to close at 10 o’clock. 

‘You can imagine the mess. But the show must go on. It’s like any other restaurant, we have to adapt to the situation.’

Last summer Prime Minister Boris Johnson introduced new restrictions meaning all restaurants and pubs had to close by 10pm, but these plans were scrapped when the whole country was placed in lockdown earlier this month.

Fred revealed filming for First Dates was relocated to The Refinery in Manchester after seven years in the capital.

Chatting: The maître d’hôtel was a guest on Thursday’s This Morning to chat about his new CBBC series Step Up To The Plate

He told Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby: ‘It was time to refresh the show. Manchester is great, the people are so friendly.’

The new series also saw waitress Laura Tott noticeable absent from the restaurant team, as she continued working as a paramedic on the NHS frontline during the pandemic.

Fred explained: ‘She was very ill with COVID back in March and now she’s there saving people’s lives. We are doing a new series and hopefully she’ll be able to join us then.’

The maître d’hôtel was a guest on the show to chat about his new CBBC series Step Up To The Plate, which sees a group of budding chefs take on the challenge of running their own restaurant.

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV. First Dates continues tonight at 9pm on Channel 4.

Back soon: This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV. First Dates continues tonight at 9pm on Channel 4