John Harris appeared on the show back in 2011 whilst studying at Edinburgh and delves into the chaos of the Isle of Fernando’s.
A former Take Me Out contestant has lifted the lid on his experience, revealing what his trip to the show’s iconic ‘Isle of Fernando’s’ was really like.
The popular ITV dating show - which was hosted by Paddy McGuinness - saw single males try their luck at love and come face to face with 30 women. If successful, the male contestant would choose one of the singletons to go on a date with, and the pair would get whisked off to the Canary Islands.
Now, 15 years after trying his luck with the ladies, former contestant John Harris hasopened upon his memorable experience of the show with new online bingo brand Zingo Bingo.
After successfully impressing the women, he chose to go on a date with a lifeguard namedKerry, andconfessed that he had later forgotten her name.
Speaking to Zingo Bingo, John also shares what host Paddy was really like off-camera - plus the surprising behind-the-scenes detail of the show’s ‘Love Lift’.
Speaking exclusively to new online bingo brand Zingo Bingo, John Harris said:
How long did you stay in the Isle of Fernando’s? Were you able to do some sightseeing?
Filmingwas on theMondayand I flew out on Tuesday morning. We then filmed on Wednesday for thedate, andflew back on Thursday. I forgot the name of the girl that I chose for my date. I know - it was terrible!
Did you get paid to appear?
It was completely voluntary for the show. There was no fee, certainly not for me. Idon'tknow if any of the girls got any fees. Youdidn’thave to pay for the flights, and you also got a little bit of expenses forfood and stuff.
What was the date like in Fernando’s?
When we flew out, we went partying. We were young lads, all staying in separate hotels. We just went out and had loads of fun.
I had to be up at 5am the next morning to film my date - Icouldn’tremember the girl's name! We had to play tennis onthedate and we had no choice.And then we went out for dinner - but you don’t actually get to eat any of the food.It’sall for display.
All ofthe lads and girls went out that night. Kerry and Iremainedan item for the purpose of the trip. It was a bit of fun on thetellyandI think shewantedperhaps somethinga little more. She was a lovely girl - nothing against it. But I was not the right man for her.
Did you keep in touch with anyone from your series?
After the episode aired, we had a weekend in Manchester where everybody met up from my series. Itwasn'tin any way affiliatedtoITV, or the production company. There were two nights out and the first night wasfancydress. Obviously, as with anybody with a massive group, there are tears and things. Ikept in touchwith a few of them.That Manchester weekend was absolutely crackers, but Kerry wasn’t there.
Why did you apply to be on the TV show?
A friend of mine sent metheapplication. It was one of those shows that everybody watched on a Saturday night. It looked silly and fun. AndI'mrelativelyattention seeking. Was I there to find love? No, I was a single student in Edinburgh.
It thentranspiredthat loads of the girls were already in relationships. They were looking for a bit of publicity. It was one of those things where you threw an applicationinand you think nothing will come from this. And it just happened.
How did you find the application process?
There were phone interviews, backgroundchecksand that sort of thing. You go down for an in-personinterview, andthen go down again for theprogramme.
It was really interesting because they cast different characters in each episode.They would cast a gentleman, an interesting one, a quirky one, and theneither anothergood looking fellow.
How long did it take to film your episode in the studio?
It took a goodhour. You came down the lift a couple of times because they wanted a couple of panning shots.The girls have to keep their decision from the first time you come down.
Could you wear what you wanted or were you styled?
I had a gray shirtonand it was warm in there, so I had sanitary pads glued into the armpits of my arm. I was sweaty! I wanted to wear a kilt, but somebody elseonthe series was wearing one. I took three outfits and the production team said, ‘Wear that one.’
Did you have a chance to speak to other male contestants on the day?
My series had 14 episodes, whichwasfilmed over14 daysand I was episode seven. Ontheday, you meet all those from your show and you sit in the greenroomand they decide the order thatyou'regoing to film in. Youdon'tmeet anybody else from the other shows. However, you meet those who go to Fernando’s (Tenerife).
What was the Love Lift like?
It'sjust industrial and youhave toclimb up a ladder -it’snothing really. It only becomes glamorous when you see it on thetelly.
What was Paddy McGuinness like off-camera?
He was great.He'sa make your life easier kind of person. He came and said hello to you before. He was a breath of fresh air. I was only young, and whilst in my head there were delusions of grandeur,I think Ithought I was this charismatic young man. I wasprobably anervous wreck.I remember Paddy being really nice.
Did you have any idea when your episode would be televised?
I think it was filmed around September or October, and we knew it would come out the following year.They often tease it on thetelly. When it aired, I was living in Edinburgh, so my mates hired a bar and watched it on a big screen. I had like 300 of my mates come to see it because I knew how it had gone. I was also still single.
Anything else about the studio that surprised you?
There were hundreds of people there in the studio. My mates were supposed to come and watch because yougeta couple of tickets.The crowd is obviously warmed up by the production team to be wild and enthusiastic, so it was really quite daunting.
One thing I found uncomfortable was when you turn people's lights off. I was in the fortunate position where I had quite a few to turn off. I lost myself in it and Paddy kept saying, ‘Hurry up, hurry up.’ And I started getting a bit creative and using my elbows.I had 27 lights to turn off and I felt really weird.
Were you happy you chose Kerry in the end?
She was a nice girl, but wedidn'tsee eye to eyein terms of personality. Kerry was a lot quieter and morereservedandI'mquite an exaggerated extravert. Do I regret choosing her? No, because she was nice. She was good looking. Do I wish I had chosen somebody else for TV purposes? Yes, because there were two twins on the show, and I think it would have been really,really good TV.
