First Dates at Christmas star is the oldest dater on the show at 101
Oldest ever First Dates contestant, 101, melts hearts as he opens up about looking for love 20 years after losing his wife – and admits he thought he’d never find happiness again
- Eric Stanley, from Cirencester, is the oldest person to go on First Dates at 101
- He was signed up to the show by his grandson James who didn’t ask him first
- On This Morning he said how much he missed his wife who died 20 years ago
- The segment left viewers in tears, with one saying: ‘This melts my heart’
The oldest ever star on First Dates warmed viewers’ hearts when he spoke about searching for love at the grand old age of 101.
Eric Stanley, from Cirencester, will be seen going on his first date in two decades in the show’s Christmas special after losing his wife and living on his own for the last 20 years.
Speaking on This Morning, Eric said he was always going to ‘get on with it’ after his wife died as he expected to be on his own forever.
However, he hinted that things had been successful with his date Norma, who called him up the day after they went out.
The heartwarming segment left viewers in tears, with one tweeting: ‘This melts my heart.’
Eric Stanley (pictured), from Cirencester, is the oldest ever dater to appear on First Dates at 101-years-old, where he enjoys a blind date with Norma
Eric had never seen the show before his grandson signed him up without asking for his permission.
‘I was very nervous, I’m nervous now. I’m a nervous chap,’ he admitted.
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In a sneak preview of the show Eric told Norma she looked ‘worth waiting for’ but joked that he was ‘more of a trap than a catch’ himself.
On This Morning Eric admitted he still missed his late wife, and thought he would never find someone else again.
The heartwarming segment left viewers on Twitter in tears (pictured), with one tweeting: ‘This melts my heart’
He continued: ‘I’ve been 20 years living on my own, I thought it might pass by. I welcomed it and from then on I’ve wanted to go on with it.’
He added: I had so many friends and family that rallied round [when she died]. I missed her, I miss her now, but people couldn’t ask me about my wife six or months after she died without it affecting me.
‘As time goes on, you don’t forget her completely because there’s always things at home that reminds you of it. I miss buying a present, I miss her laugh. Ninety times out of a hundred I’d buy the wrong thing and we’d have a natter about it.’
However, he appeared to hit it off with Norma, being impressed at how active she was at her age.
Eric (left) wasn’t allowed to reveal if the date with Norma (right) was successful, but he admitted that she called him the next day
Eric (left) said he was always going to ‘get on with it’ after losing his wife (right) as he expected to be on his own forever
He said: ‘The first time I saw her I thought she was pretty active for her age, she was clear in her speech and she made you understand what she was telling you.’
The outcome of the date won’t be revealed until the special airs on Christmas Day, but it appeared to have been a success.
The interview left viewers in tears, with many taking to Twitter to coo over Eric.
His grandson James (right) signed Eric up to the show without Eric’s permision, as the pensioner (left) admitted he’d never seen it before
One tweeted: ‘Sobbing when Eric was talking about missing buying his wife presents he looks incredible for 101!’
‘Omg I adore Eric on #ThisMorninghe’s absolutely lush bless him,’ another posted.
A third said: ‘Aww i love this 101 year old man looking for love, sooo sweet.. never to old for love.’
First Dates at Christmas airs at 9.15pm on Channel 4 on Christmas Day
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