Monday 4 July 2016

Would YOU get naked on a first date? Singletons strip off and jump into bed with complete strangers as Italian show Undressed comes to the UK

UK version of Italian dating show Undressed begins next week
Strangers must undress each other, then spend their first date in bed
They answer probing questions and do tasks to get to know each other

After half an hour, they can decide to carry on the date or leave

By LUCY WATERLOW FOR BE INFORMED
PUBLISHED: 08:26 GMT, 4 July 2016 | UPDATED: 09:15 GMT, 4 July 2016

Brave singletons from across the UK have agreed to go on a very revealing dating show that has already been a hit in Italy.
Called Undressed, the matched up couples must strip one another to their underwear on their first meeting and then jump into bed together.
The singletons in search of their soulmate then spend 30 minutes together facing a supersized screen which will pose probing questions such as 'have you ever had your heart broken?' and 'are you a good kisser?'

 
Brave couples from the UK have agreed to go on a new TLC dating show called Undressed where they have to strip off on their first date
Brave couples from the UK have agreed to go on a new TLC dating show called Undressed where they have to strip off on their first date
Lauren and Sam appear on the first episode of the new series. Lauren said she has 'date phobia' and thought this extreme first date would cure her fear
Lauren and Sam appear on the first episode of the new series. Lauren said she has 'date phobia' and thought this extreme first date would cure her fear
During the date the couples like Lauren and Sam have to share a bed in their underwear and answer questions such as 'have you ever had your heartbroken' as they get to know one another
During the date the couples like Lauren and Sam have to share a bed in their underwear and answer questions such as 'have you ever had your heartbroken' as they get to know one another
They can demonstrate the latter if they feel attracted to their date, or do other tasks set for them, such as giving a massage, to rapidly get to know one another.
Producers may have wondered if the show would have worked using Brits, who are usually known for being shy and repressed, compared to flamboyant, open Italians.
But the contestants on the first series definitely drop their inhibitions along with their clothes as they embrace the controversial dating format.
Lauren, 23, from Leeds, appears on the first episode airing on TLC on Friday and admits it is only the fourth date she had ever been on.
She said she has a 'date phobia' and she hopes the show will cure her.
Ruby and Nico also appear on the opening episode of the British version, with looking for love Nico saying he thought it would be a 'fun' way to meet someone
Ruby and Nico also appear on the opening episode of the British version, with looking for love Nico saying he thought it would be a 'fun' way to meet someone
Some of the couples, like this pair who appear later in the UK series, were happy to show their instant attraction to one another by sharing a kiss
Some of the couples, like this pair who appear later in the UK series, were happy to show their instant attraction to one another by sharing a kiss
 She explains: 'I hate awkwardness and his is the most awkward situation you can be in.'
Her date is with Sam, 23, a window fabricator from Manchester, who said he enjoys being single but is looking for someone to settle down with.
Explaining why he agreed to strip off on the show, he said it is because he now feels 'body confident' after transforming from a weedy teenager into a gym-going beefcake.
The other pair looking for love on the first episode are Nico, 29, an underwater cinematographer from North London, and Ruby, a 25-year-old writer from St Albans.
Nico said: 'I am taking part for the obvious reason, I am looking to find someone and this is a different way of finding someone. I thought it might be a fun experience.
'I am looking for someone I can connect with.'
The dating show has already been a hit in Italy, where contestants on that version are seen meeting for the first time here
The dating show has already been a hit in Italy, where contestants on that version are seen meeting for the first time here
One woman on the Italian show admits she feels embarrassed when she is told to undress in front of a stranger for the dating programme
One woman on the Italian show admits she feels embarrassed when she is told to undress in front of a stranger for the dating programme
The Italians got into the spirit of the show and stripped off - and now British pairs are doing the same
The Italians got into the spirit of the show and stripped off - and now British pairs are doing the same
Ruby, who has never had a serious relationship, said she thought the format would be a good way to get to know someone as she admits: 'I don't like talking to someone much on a first date. I prefer observing.'
Producers Fizz (part of RDF Television) say the show is a innovative 'social experiment' and by asking the daters to strip off and share a bed in their underwear they are 'accelerating intimacy and exploring the accepted rules of attraction'.
At the end of the date the couples face a final awkward moment where they must reveal if they want to see their bed partner again.
A giant 'yes' or 'no' is then flashed on the screen in front of them so any rejection can't be shied away from.
The show has been described as 'social experiment' accelerating the getting to know you process of fledgling relationships
The show has been described as 'social experiment' accelerating the getting to know you process of fledgling relationships
The couples have to share a bed for 30 minutes and carry out tasks and answer probing questions
The couples have to share a bed for 30 minutes and carry out tasks and answer probing questions
 The show has already been a success in Italy where some contestants have been keen to embrace their date and share a passionate kiss.
Clare Laycock, head of channels, TLC & Investigation Discovery said they are delighted to be bringing the show to UK audiences this summer.
She said: 'I'm incredibly proud to bring Undressed to TLC. It's a brave and beautiful new dating format that explores whether it is possible to fall in love with a complete stranger.
'Behind the provocative headline, at its heart are funny, adorable and sometimes awkward connections. TLC's mission is to give the nation a boost – this show promises to do just that.'
The couples have to share a bed wearing only their underwear on their first date
The couples have to share a bed wearing only their underwear on their first date
Contestants are given instructions via a giant screen, pictured telling the Italian participants here to 'sit in bed'
Contestants are given instructions via a giant screen, pictured telling the Italian participants here to 'sit in bed'
There was a mutual attraction between some of the Italian couples who took part and they weren't too shy to show it
There was a mutual attraction between some of the Italian couples who took part and they weren't too shy to show it
At the end of the date, the pair must say yes or no to staying in bed together or leaving 
At the end of the date, the pair must say yes or no to staying in bed together or leaving 
It's a match! These two both said yes to meeting again after their unusual first date on the Italian show
It's a match! These two both said yes to meeting again after their unusual first date on the Italian show
Awkward! Only half of this couple wanted to carry on their intimate first date on the Italian version
Awkward! Only half of this couple wanted to carry on their intimate first date on the Italian version
TLC said of the show 'it's a gloriously simple format but an irresistibly watchable show'
TLC said of the show 'it's a gloriously simple format but an irresistibly watchable show'
Mark Procter, acting head of factual entertainment, Discovery Networks International added: 'A dark room. A bed. A screen. Singleton strangers that undress each other on a first date. It's a gloriously simple format but an irresistibly watchable show.
'Created for our Italian networks, it's been a big hit and I'm delighted to be producing this in the UK with Fizz on our first production together. They've assembled a top notch team of creatives and I can't wait to see this dramatic new dating show on screen.'
Peter Usher, executive producer, Fizz said: 'Devised by our colleagues at Magnolia Italy, Undressed is a brilliant format that poses an intriguing question: by experiencing instant intimacy, can two strangers fall in love in a matter of moments? We can't wait to share this adventure with the TLC audience.'
Undressed begins on Friday 15th July at 10pm on TLC

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