BBC Lifestyle goes on First Dates in SA

The UK version of First Dates airs on Channel 4

South African pay TV network BBC Lifestyle has ordered a local version of Warner Bros dating format First Dates.

First Dates South Africa will be produced by BBC Studios in Africa and Rapid Blue, which has been behind local versions of formats such as Come Dine With Me, Dancing With the Stars and Bake Off.

Casting has now begun, with filming due to take place in Johannesburg in July. The show follows how couples’ first dates develop over the course of a meal.

BBC Lifestyle is already airing First Dates Australia and will also broadcast the UK version of the show before the launch of its own edition later this year.

The format is sold by Warner Bros International Television Production and was first produced for Channel 4 by UK prodco Twenty Twenty. It has been sold into to 23 territories so far, including Spain, Germany and Australia.