RTE First Dates Ireland viewers were all left gushing after a contestant broke down in tears before he found his “perfect” match.
Tonight biscuit mad broadband engineer Derek, 46, from Cavan got all sweet and squishy with student nurse Karen, 40, from Kildare.
The pair made a connection straight away as they realised they had mutual friends.
Derek spoke about his previous relationship, which ended over six years ago, and explained how he was engaged but it didn’t work out and they broke up six months before the wedding.
While Karen opened up about feeling “worthless” after the end of her previous relationship.
She said: “It was a horrible spiral downward time. I did some things I’m not proud of and I went through a really bad depression.
“I didn’t want to be here anymore. I had to find my self-worth.”
When Derek was asked, behind the scenes, if he ever feels lonely, he choked up and was left in tears as he replied: “I suppose when you come home and there’s no one there.
“I genuinely think the cat saved my life. I am happy but there are times where I just want someone there with me. I have a lot of love to give.”
Derek described his date as “perfect”, and they were both wanted to see each other again.
And the laughter continued all the way to Cavan where they continued on their relationship.
RTE viewers all loved watching Derek and Karen’s date and gushed over their love story.
Alan commented: “Derek, I was not prepared for that…”
Eimear tweeted: “Derek is a gentleman.”
One viewer wrote: “The last couple are going to end up getting married. Mark my words.”
Another viewer said: “I need MORE on Karen and Derek.”
Colette added: “Karen and Derek were so cute together.”
PERFECT PAIR
Elsewhere tonight, site foreman and footie fanatic Peter, 33, from Malahide risked a red card as he tested the limits of the offside rule with super chatty healthcare assistant Jade, 30, from Clondalkin.
Peter immediately told Jade she looked “stunning”, before they took a shot of baby Guinness together.
When they sat down for dinner, Peter complimented Jade again and she jokingly replied: “You don’t have to keep licking my a**.”
Jade opened up about being homeless for two years and recalled living in a hotel in Portmarnock and Tallaght.
Speaking to the camera, she said: “It was hard but we got an apartment five years ago and we’re just so happy.”
FUN DATE
Peter and Jade got on like a house on fire and even swapped fruit using their mouths while sitting in the restaurant.
The couple were giddy by the end of the date and both wanted to see each other again.
Meanwhile, musician Noelle, 20, sat down for dinner with super stylish Morgan, 21, from Meath.
Morgan, who was dressed up to the nines wearing a green sequin cut out dress, gave Noelle a little present when she first met her.
‘WOW’
And while the pair didn’t seem to have much in common off the bat, they liked being different and agreed to a second date.
Also tonight, makeup artist Ariana, 23, from Meath put aside her list of ‘icks’ (including “Guys who pose for photos with big fish”) and got to grips with cheeky Venetian wrestler Josh (real name Jose), 23, from Tallaght.
Ariana spoke about her life goals and said she wants to meet someone who loves her as much as she loves them.
She added: “If I met the right person tomorrow I’d have a baby.”
Josh was taken back slightly and said: “Wow.”
Ariana called her mum in the bathroom and said: “Mam… he’s an Italian wrestler. He’s so hot.”
Unfortunately, they didn’t want to see each other romantically again.
