A FIREMAN went on national TV and flew to the Bahamas in search of his ideal woman -- before realising he already knew her!

Mick Patton, 21, was given every man's dream of picking from a bevy of bikini-clad babes performing tasks to impress him in the new ITV1 show Elimidate.

He went to the first auditions for the show in March after his Manchester-based modelling agency, Image UK, put some photos forward.

At the time he had been out casually a couple of times with 16-year-old Terri Moore, a friend of his family.

But the couple are now an item after he realised there was no place like home when it came to finding the right girl.

Mick, of Garden Street, Great Harwood, said: "I was out filming in the Bahamas in April for five days. It was brilliant with all the cameras, posh hotels and luxury.

"But I am seeing Terri now. She is not very impressed that I went.

"The girls from the show were really nice and we are all still in touch now via the odd phone call.

"But it is nice to have someone who you know and personality comes first. With me working shifts a long-distance relationship would be too difficult."

Four girls went head-to-head to impress Mick over three rounds of games. He had to ditch one girl after each task.

He chose from Londoner Naomi Varugnese, 20, who wanted to live like a princess after marrying a footballer, Hannah Stewart, 19, looking for a man with sex appeal, Surrey music student Claire Kelly and wannabe actress Caroline Presgrave.

Terri, of Commercial Road, Great Harwood, said: "I was not very happy when he went on the show but we weren't really seeing each other then.

"But he is such a nice person with a gorgeous smile -- and the fact that he is a fireman is definitely a bonus!"

Mick has worked at Great Harwood fire station part-time for four years.

He says the uniform gets girls' hearts racing and the flames of passion going too.

He said: "There is something about a man in uniform, from what the girls tell me. It gives off a sexy impression and when I told them on the show they came out with all the usual corny puns.

"I can't deny it probably helped me get picked for the audition.

"But now the other firefighters are all having a good laugh and we are all going to watch it together!"

Elimidate, presented by ex-Atomic Kitten star Kerry McFadden, is to be shown at 10.30pm on Thursday.