First Dates Ireland is back with a bang, and much-loved waiter Pete shares with Irish Country Magazine what it’s like to work on the show.
While we see many new faces come and go on First Dates Ireland, there are some that we have become more familiar with as the feel-good show has been on air for a decade.
One of those faces includes Pete Ungless, one of the First Dates Ireland waiters. Part of the show for almost 10 years, Pete has seen his fair share of daters coming in and out of the restaurant, witnessing the beginning of many love stories. Here, Pete chats with Irish Country Magazine about life on the show.
Were you a fan of First Dates Ireland before working on the show?
Honestly, no – not in the traditional sense. I’d seen clips from the UK First Dates series, but the Irish version was still in its infancy, and I’d never actually sat down to watch it. In a way, I was going in a bit like the daters themselves – it felt like my own kind of blind date. What struck me very quickly, though, was how warm and genuine the whole experience is, and how much care goes into making people feel comfortable.
Why do you think the show resonates with audiences so well?
There’s a real feel-good quality to it. Viewers see emotions they recognise straight away – nerves, excitement, hope, and vulnerability. Even if you’re not dating yourself, you remember what it feels like to put yourself out there. The show treats those moments with warmth and respect, and I think that’s why people connect with it so deeply.
As a waiter, can you tell when a date is going well/badly? How do you hide those emotions?
You do pick up on little things, how relaxed people are, whether the conversation starts to flow, or if they’re both smiling without realising it. But as a waiter, you become very good at keeping a neutral face. My job is to keep things moving smoothly and make sure everyone feels at ease, regardless of how the date is going. At the end of the day, it’s their moment, not mine.
Could you imagine putting yourself on the other side of the table to look for love?
I’m very happily married and I’m very glad that the dating part of my life is behind me. Even when I was single, I don’t think I’d have been brave enough to do it on national television. I’ve huge admiration for the people who do – it takes confidence to put your heart out there so publicly. I’m much more comfortable supporting them from this side of the table.
What would you like viewers to know about working on the show?
There’s a great sense of fun behind the scenes, with plenty of mischief and the odd prank along the way. It’s a really positive environment to work in, and that relaxed atmosphere helps everyone feel at ease – we’re like a family at this stage and it’s just such good craic working with the team behind the scenes.
Lastly, what can we expect from this season?
This season might just be the best one yet. We’ve got our oldest ever dater, some lovely sibling connections along the way, and even a familiar face that viewers might recognise. There’s plenty of fun and a bit of mischief too, but at the heart of it all are people genuinely giving love a go.
You can catch First Dates Ireland every Thursday on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
