Fred Sirieix, best known as the maitre d’ on Channel 4‘s First Dates, has made a surprising career pivot – as part of the BBC broadcasting line-up to cover this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris.
The charming Frenchman, 52, is father of British 10-metre platform hopeful Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix – and will be offering his verdict on the diving when the Games kick off in the French capital on July 26th.
Fred, who’s been on hit show First Dates for over a decade, joins other new faces in the BBC line-up – although all with a sporting background, including cyclist Laura Kenny, long jumper Jazmin Sawyers, rower Moe Sbihi and triathlete Vicky Holland.
Bonjour Fred! The charming maitre d’ will join leading sports broadcasters to help host the coverage of the Olympics in Paris this summer. Pictured from left: 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 pictured with his daughter Andrea, who he shares with his ex-wife. The teenager will be hopeful of bringing home a medal this summer
In a Q&A with the BBC ahead of his new role, the TV star said his fondest memory from previous Games was the opening ceremony at London 2012, saying ‘It made me feel so proud.
And when asked about who might come home with a medal, he replied: ‘I would be lying if I did not 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 taking place in a European time zone, which is really exciting for UK audiences.
‘People can tune in to live coverage morning, noon, and night, following all the biggest sporting moments as they happen.’
Andrea pictured competing in the women’s 10m platform final of diving at the World Aquatics Championships 2024 in Doha in February
Since finding fame in 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 pals Gino D’Campo and Gordon Ramsay.
Earlier this year, his 19-year-old daughter Andrea won the women’s 10-metre platform final at the British Diving Championships to qualify for that event at the Paris Olympics.
Spendolini-Sirieix, 19, is the daughter of celebrity chef Fred Sirieix, the host of First Dates
Sirieix’s career has soared following his stint on I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! in December
‘I’m elated,’ she told the BBC. ‘Thank you for all the support and I give glory to God.
‘I just kept on pushing through that competition.’
Her dad posted on X: ‘Well done Andrea.’
She added: ‘I really like to have my coach with me [between dives] just because he helps get my head out of my head. I like to listen to some gospel music just to re-centre myself and just enjoy the competition.’
Asked what her goal is, she said: ‘To enjoy myself! We’ll see what happens in Paris but I really just want to enjoy it.’