Fred Sirieix, best known as the maitre d’ on Channel 4’s First Dates, has taken a surprising career turn – as part of the BBC’s broadcast line-up to cover this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris.
The charming Frenchman, 52, is father to British 10m platform hopeful Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, and will give his verdict on diving when the Games begin in the French capital on July 26.
Fred, who has been on the hit show First Dates for more than a decade, joins other new faces on BBC programming – albeit all with sporting experience – including cyclist Laura Kenny, long jumper Jazmin Sawyers, the rower Moe Sbihi and triathlete Vicky Holland.
Hello Fred! The charming maître d’ will join leading sports broadcasters to help present coverage of the Paris Olympics this summer. Pictured left to right: Fred Sirieix, Isa Guha, Hazel Irvine, Clare Balding, Gabby Logan, Jeanette Kwakye, JJ Chalmers, Laura Kenny (Image: BBC/Sam Riley)
See you in Paris, Dad! Fred is pictured with his daughter Andrea, whom he shares with his ex-wife. The teenager will be hoping to take home a medal this summer.
In a Q&A with the BBC ahead of her new role, the TV star said her familyMy fondest memory from previous Games was the opening ceremony at London 2012 and I said: “It made me feel very proud.”
And when asked who could go home with a medal, he replied: “I’d be lying if I didn’t say my daughter Andrea. But many other athletes come to mind: Emily Campbell, Kye White, Adam Peaty and many more.
Alex Kay-Jelski, recently appointed director of BBC Sport, said: ‘For the first time since London 2012, we have an Olympic Games being held in a European time zone, which is really exciting for UK audiences.
“People can tune in to live coverage morning, noon and night, following the biggest sporting moments as they happen.”
Andrea pictured competing in the women’s 10m platform diving final at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Doha in February.
Since finding fame on the dating show, Fred’s career has gone from strength to strength, with a successful appearance last year on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here and two seasons of Gordon, Gino and Fred’s Road Trip with friends Gino D’Campo and Gordon Ramsay.
Earlier this year, his daughter Andrea, 19, won the women’s 10m platform final at the British Diving Championships to qualify for that event at the Paris Olympics.
Spendolini-Sirieix, 19, the daughter of Fred’s previous marriage, is now engaged to his partner, whom he affectionately calls ‘Fruitcake’.
Sirieix’s career has skyrocketed after her time on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in December
“I’m very happy,” she told the BBC. “Thank you for all the support and I give glory to God.”
“I kept going and overcame that competition.”
Her father posted on X: “Well done, Andrea.”
He added: “I really like having my coach with me (between jumps) because it helps me distract myself. I like to listen to gospel music to focus and enjoy the competition.”
When asked what his goal was, he replied: “Enjoy! We’ll see what happens in Paris, but all I want is to enjoy.”
