One contestant from NineтАЩs long-awaited reboot of Beauty and the Geek broke down after his first date in a highly emotional moment.
The emotional premiere of Beauty and the Geek was an early sign this season will require tissues at the ready.
Hosted by reality TV queen Sophie Monk, the Channel 9 reboot of the popular series introduced us to ten тАШbeautiesтАЩ and ten тАШgeeksтАЩ to tackle a series of challenges with the aim of establishing a romantic spark or lifelong friendship.
But if youтАЩre already scarred from Channel 9тАЩs other тАЬsocial experimentтАЭ, never fear. Beauty and the Geek has delivered an early promise to be one of the most wholesome offerings on weeknight TV.
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During the episode, gamer Mitchell, 27, described feeling like a тАЬchanged manтАЭ after his date with 31-year-old princess performer Ashleigh.
Having never been out with a girl, nor had his first kiss, Mitchell was a ball of nerves before Ashleigh met him at a gaming arcade to have his first outing with a potential love interest broadcast to the nation.
So much so, when Monk revealed at the end-of-episode mixer that theyтАЩll remain a couple through to the next challenge, he appeared to wipe away tears of relief.
Asked how he was feeling, Mitchell hung his head, putting his hand to his face, before admitting he would have cried if he had to change partners.
тАЬI didnтАЩt want to separate at all,тАЭ he said as echoes of тАЬawwтАЭ were heard around the group.
Describing his early connection with Ashleigh, he said he felt тАЬZenтАЭ, adding: тАЬShe meets me on a level I never thought possible тАж ItтАЩs amazing.тАЭ
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Bullied as a child, Mitchell was first introduced as a video game-loving introvert who found comfort in the world of video games early, and as a result, felt he lacked the skills to meet girls.
On preparing for his first date with Ashleigh, he admitted as an anxiety and ADHD sufferer, wearing sunglasses gave him a sense of comfort.
But sitting down for a chat with the blonde beauty, his comfort level grew, with Ashleigh commenting that she noticed his eye contact had improved already.
It was a moment that spoke to the familiar nerves of a first date.
TonightтАЩs initial pairings were switched-up by love guru Sophie Monk by the end of the episode. Here are the other couples going through to tomorrow tonight:
Eliza and Alex
Kiera and James
Jessica and Jackson
Aira and Sam
Bryanna and Kiran
Jess and Kyle
Gabrielle and Frank
Leticia and George
Josie and Lachlan
Beauty and The Geek continues Monday night from 7.30pm on Channel 9
