Peggy Lawrence, who is to appear on ITV's show Take Me Out

Teen hopes to find love on TV?

Lizzie Thornton, Reporter Wednesday, December 8, 2010
4:34 PM

A 19-year-old student who is to appear on the first episode of a new game show to help people find love says the show has given her a new confidence.

Peggy Lawrence, of Common Lane, Wilmington, is one of 30 women to appear on ITV’s Take Me Out, which first airs this Saturday at 9pm.

Badly hurt by a boyfriend who cheated on her and by men who turned out to have girlfriends, Miss Lawrence said she had found it hard to trust men but claims the show has restored her confidence.

She said: “I’m quite shy and reserved normally but being on the show really built up my confidence. Before I was insecure and had problems trusting men because my boyfriend of two-and-a-half-years, whom I really trusted, cheated on me. That was about six months before the show. After that I dated a few people but they all ended up having girlfriends when they said they were single, so that didn’t help my confidence.

“The show has changed me as a person. It is the best thing I have ever done and I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Each week four bachelors will have to impress 30 women to try and bag themselves a date but if the girls don’t like what they see then the boys face a blackout and a trip back home alone.

The lucky couples will be whisked off to the sun-kissed ‘Isle of Fernandos’ where they will get to indulge in a range of activities, including horse riding, wine tasting, helicopter rides and spa treatments.

Those who fail to find their date will return to the show each week to continue their search for Mr Right in the hope host Paddy McGuinness can create their perfect match.

Miss Lawrence, who is studying business and IT management at Sheffield University, said: “Paddy was lovely, he was like a big brother on the show he got to know us all individually and really cared about finding us all a guy, even off camera. He’s a genuine guy, really kind through and through.”

She added: “Wilmington is pretty dry for nice guys my age.Personality is definitely the most important thing for me. They can be as good looking as you like but if they end up cheating on you then what’s the point. My ideal man would be humorous, genuine, caring, loyal and a family man.”

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