Shropshire Star

TV dating challenge for injured Oswestry man Ben, 33

It was an experience to treasure – but the steak was a little tough. Shropshire's Ben Shevlin has tasted life in the First Dates restaurant.

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He has become the latest to try to find love in the hit Channel 4 show, based in a real restaurant around the corner from St Paul's Cathedral.

Today he insisted he was sworn to secrecy about the outcome of his romantic blind date. But he did spill the beans about the experience, which will go out on TV later this year.

The 33-year-old singleton had a serious reason to apply to take part in the television dating show.

He said it was not so much to find himself a lady but to highlight the effects of brain injuries.

Ben suffered serious head injuries in a motorcycle accident in Croatia 12 years ago.

The then 21-year old, who lived in Oswestry, was in a coma after the crash. After being flown back to Britain in a special air ambulance the promising young sportsman spent 10 months in a specialist rehabilitation unit.

Although his recovery has been remarkable Ben says his brain injury can still cause problems.

So he decided to apply for the Channel Four, First Dates programme to raise awareness of issues faced by those with head injuries.

He today said his date could not have been nicer, the staff were great – but the steak left a little to be desired.

"I wrote to First Date and asked if they would be interested in using someoneg who had a brain injury," he said. "I had to do a telephone interview and then a filmed interview before I was chosen."

Ben eventually met up with the woman he was paired up with by First Dates producers, Charlotte, for the filming in the Paternoster Chop House restaurant in London.

"Charlotte is a great girl," he said.

"She works in the fashion industry in Swinton, Manchester."

"We were both probably more aware of the cameras than some of the diners seem to be so I guess we might come over as a bit boring. It was a really bizarre experience."

Everyone eating in the restaurant during the filming are on a first date – although only a small number are picked for featuring during filming.

Ben said the flamboyant maitre d'hotel, Fred, is every bit as friendly as he appears on the show, which has become one of Channel 4's biggest ratings hits of 2015.

"He really is a nice bloke and put us at ease," he said.

"The staff did intervene a couple of times and pretended that our microphones weren't working properly. They would take one or the other of us outside and feed us questions to ask. We laughed about it afterwards."

Ben said the food was hit and miss.

"The starter was wonderful, goat's cheese souffle but I thought the steak was a bit tough."

Although the programme makers make a small contribution to the cost of the meal, Ben and Charlotte had to then decide, on camera, how to split the bill.

"I think the man should pay the majority, which I did but Charlotte did contribute. I remember joking that my benefits wouldn't cover the cost of food like that," he said.

He is sworn to secrecy about the outcome of the date, which is due to be broadcast in late February or early March.

Ben has made a new life for himself in West Didsbury, near Manchester, where he volunteers for charities including the Headway charity for brain injured people.

He also spends a lot of time concentrating on getting his physical health back in shape.

"I used to play cricket, football and do athletics but problems I get with double vision means I won't be able to play team sports again. I also walk with a slight limp and, although my voice has improved tremendously I still have problems with bouncers when I am out because they think I am drunk."

He says he has had to relearn from scratch how to forge relationships with people.

Ben has now launched his own Twitter feed to promote raising awareness of brain injuries and hopes to raise money for the charity Headway with events next year. He can be found on Twitter @Ben_Shevlin1982

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