First Date star hints 'awkward' Matt Lucas would be perfect celeb date for show

First Dates waiter Grant Urquhart reckons Matt Lucas would be the ideal person to appear on the programme to show a different side of himself.

The cheeky chap, 28, first appeared on the show back in season 10 and has seen all kinds of dates, from The Vamps' Bradley Will Simpson to people ending their date.

But the York-born star who trained in acting and singing at the Italia Conti Academy believes singletons should make the most of their experience if they don't find love.

In an exclusive interview with The Mirror, the star who is currently appearing as Prince Charming in Cinderella at The Kings Theatre in Portsmouth, has his eyes on one celeb he'd like on the show.

First Dates star Grant Urquhart has revealed which celebrity he'd like to see on the show (Instagram)

He said: "I think, somebody for me, I'd like to see on a date, I think Matt Lucas would be great on a date.

"He's very funny but when I met him, he was also quite reserved, he can be quite awkward so I think it'd be nice to bring that out of him, I think it would be nice for everybody to see that side of him.

"When I met him, he was actually quite reserved and I was taken aback."

The star thinks Matt Lucas would be the perfect date (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)

Grant is currently appearing as Prince Charming in a theatre production of Cinderella (Kings Theatre, Portsmouth)

Reflecting on awkward dates on the show, Grant said: "I've worked there that long now it's literally second nature.

"When I first started, there was a lot of times where I literally just made a face and walk away from the table, it's one of those shows where you don't know what's going to happen.

"You put two people together, they might get like house on fire, or they might absolutely hate each other and it literally is just a waiting game."

The trained actor and singer believes people should make the most out of their First Dates experience (Instagram)

He added: "It's one of those things, you make the most of the experience – even if you don't like the person, you're getting to meet someone new.

"You're getting to sit in a nice restaurant, and have a chat with someone, it doesn't have to be for love."

On stepping into the shoes of Prince Charming, Grant admitted he was rather nervous as he often plays "the silly billy, Buttons type character," but he was excited.

Despite being a pro when it comes to acting, Grant admits he's somewhat nervous ahead of his Prince Charming debut (Alan Bound, The Kings Theatre)

Grant will be starring alongside Search For Cinders winner Michelle Antrobus and he was keen to dismiss the perceptions of talent show winners.

"Even thinking about some of the Andrew Lloyd-Webber ones, Jesus Christ Superstar one, he's flying, I think they definitely work – the proof is in the pudding here," he exclaimed.

Cinderella runs at the King's Theatre in Portsmouth between December 2 and December 31, tickets are available on their website.