TV producers are on the hunt for singletons from Blackburn to take part in a new and “unique” TV dating show.

Dates With Mates is a UKTV original dating show with a twist and it’s set to be broadcast on channel W.

Produced by Harbar 8 and BBC Studios, each episode of Dates With Mates follows a group of four friends as they navigate the (sometimes daunting) world of dating at a dinner party like no other.

Producers put a call-out for people from Blackburn earlier this month and say they are particularly interesting in casting men aged 40+.

A spokesperson for the show’s casting production said: “Hi Blackburn!

“I am looking for some fantastic singles for our new TV dating show. You may have seen my post for groups, but now we are casting singles.

“You would enjoy either a starter, main or desert with not one but four great people!

“We are particularly interested to hear from single guys who are 40+ as casting specific matches.

“However, we are happy to hear from any and all applications.

“Whether you’re straight or LGBTQ+, we’d love to hear from you!”

What is Dates With Mates?

Four single best friends are going out for a three-course dinner with a difference. This time the food is not the focus but the company - with each course the group of friends will also be served up a different potential date.

However, once the plates have been cleared, the dates must leave, and deliberation begins. At the end of the night, their lucky dates can return, to ask out only one of the mates. But will there be a match, or will their choices cause drama amongst the four friends?

Dates With Mates is commissioned by Helen Nightingale, senior commissioning editor, and ordered by Adam Collings, channel director for W. Richard Watsham is UKTV’s director of commissioning and Steve North is genre general manager, comedy and entertainment. 

Helen Nightingale said: “This unique new series for W gives viewers a softer more thoughtful look into the world of modern dating. Our daters are looking for real connection and we think this show gives them the opportunity to find just that.”

Adam Collings said, “We’re so excited to launch W’s first ever dating series. The most daunting part of dating can often be when your love interest meets your best friends, so why not involve them from the get go? We hope viewers will love Dates With Mates as much as we loved the pilot.”

Pete Ogde, one executive producer for BBC studios, said, “This is our first commission for W, collaborating with them on a dating show is new territory and has been a lot of fun. We look forward to viewers seeing the hard work that has gone into this brilliant series.”

Dates With Mates will air exclusively in the UK on UKTV's W channel following a slate of fresh new programming on W including, Emma and AJ Get To Work, Nurses on the Ward, Inside the Ambulance and Nurses Down Under, in addition to the recently announced series Rochelle Humes: Interior Designer in the Making.

Applicants must be 18+ and have the right to live and work in the UK. For more info and no obligation, please email: bbcnorth.casting@bbc.co.uk .