The next series of Celebs Go Dating has been announced and we’re in for a serious shake up, as matchmaker Nadia Essex is replaced by life and relationship coach, Anna Williamson
Last season’s explosive finale saw rule breakers Olivia Attwood and Sam Caske FINALLY get together (or was it Callum Izzard?) and introduced us to bona fide honey pot Paul Carrick Brunson, who stepped in to replace Eden Blackman following a cheating scandal.
And with some very provocative casting choices made this year, as well as another new relationship expert in Anna Williamson, it looks as though Celebs Go Dating’s reign as one of the most scandalous shows on TV is set to continue.
“I don’t think any one of who we’ve got this year is going to be a breeze,” said Anna, speaking exclusively with Closer.
“What a series to come into. Each of them has their own wonderful unique points, and equally they’re own challenging points."
The big reveal for this series was Pete Wicks and ex girlfriend Megan McKenna, whose 18-month relationship was closely documented on TOWIE.
“Pete particularly comes with a very well documented lothario past,” says Anna, “and it will be interesting to see if we can get underneath that exterior a little bit.
“There’s a lot more history and emotional investment that’s gone into some relationships. Some things can be more defining. If you feel like you’ve been disrespected or your confidence has been knocked in any way, that can be quite hard.
“You can come out of some relationships more bruised than others.”
Joining the ex-lovers will be actress Chelsee Healy, who split with her partner just days before giving birth to their child earlier this year. There’s also Ibiza Weekender’s David Potts, and returning reality lothario Sam Thompson, who Anna insists just needs “someone like him” to keep him from straying.
Love Island’s Georgia Steel, who met with producers just one day after her split from Sam Bird, and unlucky in love Kerry Katona complete the line up.
“I feel responsible for them, but not least Kerry because she’s had such a tricky past with her relationships. With Kerry it’s about dropping those barriers that she holds up – and understandably so – but it’s going to take a very special guy for that to happen.”
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But how do Anna's matchmaking credentials match up to Paul's – and to her predecessor, Nadia Essex? Well, she began her presenting career on CBBC, and has experience as a journalist and life coach, too.
“When Paul delivers a stern word you still fall in love with him,” says Anna, thoughtfully.
“I come from a caring place as a life coach, but I’m not afraid to call someone out when I feel like their behavior is not appropriate and they’re not being genuine. I’m not afraid of being the bad cop to Paul’s good cop, necessarily.”
Both Nadia and Eden left the Celebs Go Dating ship in 2018.
Eden officially left after series four, claiming he wanted to focus on other business ventures, including a dating app called Would Like to Meet, but his departure was shrouded in controversy after a civilian dater claimed he had been having an affair with her during filming.
There were also rumours that he had fallen out with colleague Nadia in a big way, and producers were worried their frosty relations could jeopardise the future of the show.
Nadia continued on the show for another series, before she was reportedly dropped by producers after it wasrevealed she had been creating fake social media accounts to troll contestants and – reportedly – her ex co-host. Awkward…
WACTH The Weekender: Boat Party cast answer our quick fire questions
What are Anna Williamson's top dating tips?
1. Keep it simple
“We do send our celebs on a food date and that’s fine too, but make things as simple as you possibly can,” advises Anna.
“Meet somewhere that is neutrally agreeable, somewhere you both like. Having a drink is a really good option. And doing an activity is quite good – going for a walk, or ice skating.
“When we physically do something, we’re finding out a lot more about that person in a quicker space of time. It’s a really good distraction to make it less intense, than just being the two of you.”
2. Meet face-to-face ASAP
"From a therapy and coaching perspective, when you have someone in front of you you’re using all those senses to communicate – you’re seeing their facial expressions, a smile, hearing tone of voice,” says Anna.
“It’s impossible to get to know somebody through digital technology.
“It’s only when you see somebody in the flesh that you can tell if you fancy them. Someone’s smile can make all the difference in the flesh. What we offer at the Celeb agency is the chance to meet in a face to face environment, and we’re there to guide them through it.”
3. Be your best (most authentic) self
“We need to be careful to not measure ourselves against other people, particularly on social media and dating apps. There seems to be this need to over filter and over complicate matters by taking 8,000 different photos.
“The mask will always uncover, and it’s a pointless exercise if that mask is there in the first place – nobody benefits from it. My advice will always be to put forward the best, the truest representation of yourself."
Anna Williamson is the new celebrity dating agent for E4’s Celebs Go Dating which will be on our screens later this month!