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Channel 4's hit reality series, First Dates, has been a fan favorite since it launched in 2013. The beloved dating show offers viewers a rare glimpse into the love lives of several singletons as they go on a blind date with a partner chosen by relationship experts. Over the past 24 series, Fred Sirieix has catered to rooms full of hopeless romantics before the contestants are pulled in for an interview to see if they want to go on a second date.

Although there's never a dull moment on the long-running show, it's suffered its fair share of tragedies over the years. This includes fans being left heartbroken over stars' deaths or concerning health issues making the headlines.

Tragedy struck the show recently when First Dates star Judy Fitzgerald died at 32. Tributes poured in for the late star, who also won the former Miss Bikini Ireland title in 2014, following her death on Saturday (January 10).

A notice announcing her passing read: "Judy Fitzgerald passed away unexpectedly on 27th May 2023. Sadly missed by her heartbroken parents, Liam and Imelda, sister Lucy, brother William, and brother-in-law Pedro."

The TV personality appeared on an episode of First Dates in Ireland last year. On the show, she went on a date with Aaron, with the couple immediately bonding over dinner. As he showered her with compliments, Aaron told Judy he was taken aback by her beauty during his confessional to the cameras, joking that there was someone in Ireland who was "prettier than him".

She passed away unexpectedly, with colleagues and friends rushing to social media to pay tribute to her online. Fashion designer Venera Tabakin posted a string of photos of them together, along with a lengthy caption.

The designer penned: "RIP Judy Fitzgerald, my little model and friend, Miss Bikini Ireland and Celebrity of Ireland." Actress Jenny Dixon and her husband Tom Neville added: "So, so sad to learn of July's passing. She will be missed by all very much. Our sincerest sympathy to the Fitzgerald family and friends."

Back in 2023, First Dates star Jordan Dunbar tragically passed away at the age of 29. Sharing the heartbreaking news on social media, his family released a statement, which read: "He is predeceased by his loving mam Sharon and uncle Michael.

"He will be sadly missed by his loving dad, Albert, and Albert's brother and sisters, aunt Michelle, cousin Craig, his second family, Gerry, Leeanne, and Maria Nolan, his close friends Geena and Megan, relatives, and a large circle of friends. May Jordan Rest in Peace."

Jordan was one of the first stars to appear on the popular dating series, which sparked a broadcasting career, going on to present My Yellow Brick Road in 2019. Production company Coco Content, which worked closely with Jordan over the years, shared a tribute to the late TV star.

They wrote: "Our hearts are broken with the death of Jordan Dunbar, such a talented and beautiful person. We first met him on First Dates, and he went on to present My Yellow Brick Road on RTE. He was a joy to work with & it was a privilege to know him. Deepest sympathy to all who loved him."

First Dates barman Merlin Griffiths is one of the most beloved figures on the Channel 4 dating show, but fans were left utterly heartbroken when he was diagnosed with cancer in 2021. The 50th presenter endured an 18-month cancer battle after he was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer.

Fortunately, Merlin survived his treatment and was given the all-clear in 2023. The TV personality has since been open about overcoming his illness and the profound impact it's had on his life. Famed for his bar-tending skills, Merlin is set to remain under medical supervision for the next two years.

Reflecting on his journey, he confessed that his partner was "brilliant" during his treatment. He has been in a long-term relationship with his partner, Lucille, for the past 10 years, and the happy couple shares a daughter, Alix.

The TV star previously told Yahoo that Lucille had been incredibly supportive during his cancer battle. He gushed: "Honestly, I wasn't diving through loads of that treatment. It was down to Lucille to take me to the hospital every day.

"Radiotherapy is a daily treatment, like five days a week. Yeah, she was driving in and out of the hospital every day for several months... She was holding down the fort here at our pub and looking after our daughter and so on while I was in the hospital many times."

Since January 2023, Merlin has been living with a stoma bag. He has bravely documented his journey on social media but admitted that his diagnosis has irrevocably changed him.

He told The Mirror, "My life will never quite be the same, and anyone who has gone through bowel cancer and the horrific treatment that it involves will understand. I might look whole, but I'm actually missing about 45% of my insides. It's quite a major amputation internally that I have had.

"For the rest of my life, I'll have this condition called Lower Anterior Resection Syndrome. All forms of cancer tend to have longer-term fallouts that a lot of people, I don't think, are aware of, but I still approach every day with positivity because what else can I do? It's been difficult, but I'm so grateful to be here."

Another familiar face to First Dates fans is waitress Cici Coleman, who often serves customers and potential love matches in the Channel 4 restaurant. Considering how popular she is on the show, it's bizarre to think she ever worried about making ends meet.

But the actress and TV personality confessed she regularly used to worry about becoming homeless when she was 25. In a Q&A with her fans on Instagram, Cici opened up about life before she found fame on the reality show.

She revealed: "At 25 I was one step away from being homeless. I had zero idea what I wanted to do. But I had hope. Take the pressure off having the answers. You have your whole life ahead of you to figure out who you are.

"That doesn't come overnight. It's a continuous lesson. Each moment is a new experience where we get to learn something about ourselves; my mistakes have been my greatest teachers."

Reality TV star Rachel Leader was shellshocked when she learnt of the death of her former partner and their two-year-old daughter. Ashley Henry, 35, suffered a fatal crash with a lorry weeks after they separated.

The doting dad had taken toddler Oria to the beach for fish and chips and ice cream shortly before the horror smash in Lincolnshire on Father's Day in 2023. Both were declared dead at the scene in Anwick on June 18 after the Nissan Quashqi they were travelling in flipped over on the road.

The couple had separated just two weeks before the tragedy. Police later found a note on his laptop titled 'Bye', where he set out his plans. Rachel sobbed as its contents were read out during the inquest at Lincolnshire Coroner's Court.

Henry described in his letter how Oria was the "best thing to happen to me", but said he "worried about being replaced" in her life and would have "nothing to live for" if she were taken away.

The inquest heard Oria - who may have been killed before the collision - was strapped into her car seat in the front passenger seat when her dad crashed into the lorry, according to The Sun. Rachel previously found fame on Channel 4's dating spin-off show First Dates Hotel.