‘Blind Date paired me with a future TV presenter’

A chip shop owner says he is “proud” to have been part of TV history when he was matched with a future TV presenter on Blind Date.

Donda Michaelas, from Bearsted, Kent, was 19 when he appeared on the popular ITV dating programme, which is 40 years old this weekend.

Romance did not blossom with Jenni Falconer, then an 18-year-old student, on their filmed date in Brittany, France, but the couple remain in contact more than 30 years later.

Mr Michaelas, who is now married with four children, said he had “no regrets” and “loved taking part in a bit of TV history”.

The business owner, who also runs a chain of barber’s shops, said friends put him up to appear on the popular show.

After being chosen he said: “It was very flattering. I thought it could be quite good fun.

“I was very nervous, but also excited.”

He was selected for a date ahead of two others by Falconer, who went on to present on GMTV, the National Lottery draws and This Morning.

He said: “I gave funny answers and she picked me.

“It was an amazing buzz.”

After their date the couple said they were “good friends” but there was “no love interest”.

Mr Michaelas added: “We did get on really well. She was a good laugh.”

And the Blind Date couple remain friends decades later.

“My wife and daughter talk to Jenni on social media and she always wishes us a happy wedding anniversary,” he said.

The village chip shop owner has been married to his wife Samantha for 22 years.

From its first broadcast on 30 November 1985, Blind Date was one of the most popular programmes on Saturday night TV.

Presented by Cilla Black it ran for 18 years until 2003, with a reboot in 2017 fronted by Paul O’Grady.

Now, Blind Date is set for a relaunch on Disney+, “reimagined for a contemporary audience” according to the streaming site.

Mr Michaelas said: “Cilla was absolutely amazing. She really was.

“She just had this way of calming you down and relaxing you.

“It was a good experience for youngsters and I would recommend it to others.”

The chip shop owner said he was still recognised after more than 30 years.

“I get people coming into the shop saying ‘you’re that fellow that was on Blind Date’. And we laugh.”