Take Me Out, hosted by Paddy McGuinness, saw men share facts about themselves to see who would still be interested by the end.
The quick-fire dating show saw a room filled with women looking for love stood by a light ready to tap out if they lost interest in the man throughout his round. By the end, if there’s more than one person left, the man will pick his last two and then ask a question of his own.
In 2018, contestant Paiton Barker – aged 22 at the time – stood at her podium while Ryan Lenton – aged 25 at the time – came down the stairs. Paiton, who was immediately interested, told the girls next to her that this was her guy, in the hopes the producers would hear her through the mic.
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Speaking to Daily Star, Paiton, who is still with Ryan five years after filming, said: “I hoped the producers might hear me and then send Paddy over to see my opinion. So I tried that.
(Image: ITV)
“I feel like it did work a little bit, but a lot of the crew said afterwards they had hoped we’d get together. They have people in mind when they cast a show, so they kind of thought that we would go for each other.”
Paiton admitted she knew she had a crush on Ryan straight away, but needed to get the attention of Paddy in order to stand out to Ryan. Luckily, after making their way through their rounds, she and Ryan were sent off to Isle of Fernando’s.
(Image: ITV)
She joined other girls who had been picked to pack their bags and head to the airport. When she arrived overseas Paiton eagerly waited in her hotel before being told where she’d be going for her date.
The duo headed on a relaxing date and carried on getting to know each other on camera – but after heading home was when things really moved forward for the pair. She said: “When we got home we just carried on talking and organised to meet up again.
(Image: Paiton Barker)
“We would meet halfway and about a year after the show was filmed I went on holiday with him and his family. At that point we realised things were getting serious and I moved closer. We just both put that effort in.
“We’re so similar, we have never had to force anything.” Paiton added the pair soon moved in together and the duo are still going strong – and she has the show to thank.
(Image: Paiton Barker)
Paiton added: “It’s great how everything just falls into place. We made great friends that we still keep in touch with, it was an amazing experience. Ryan’s family is so amazing, they’re like my family away from home. I couldn’t be more grateful for that.”
Paiton recently posted a TikTok about her relationship with Ryan and wrote: “Tomorrow will be five years to the day I went on a first date in Tenerife with a landscaper Paddy McGuinness set me up with…”
(Image: Paiton Barker)
People immediately flooded to the comments to share their support, with one user writing: “Omg I always wonder if anyone from Take Me Out are still together. This is adorable.”
Another said: “Love a happily ever after, you both seem so lovely!” While a third said: “This is so cute I remember this ep!!! So happy you are still together.”
The pair were one of the last couples made from the show with the series coming to a close shortly after their debut – and they’re still going strong.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
