Gabby Allen reveals the baffling first date setup for Celebs Go Dating—complete with a goldfish—and says it was hilarious but “outrageous” enough to leave her stunned.
Celebs Go Dating is set to return with a new batch of famous faces, and one behind-the-scenes reveal is already turning heads.
The E4 dating series kicks off next Monday, 4 May, bringing together relationship specialist Paul C.. Brunson, therapist Anna Williamson, and sexual communication expert Dr Tara Suwinyattichaiporn as they guide celebrity singles through the agency experience.. Among the contestants this time are MAFS bride Lucinda Light, rugby legend James Haskell, Loose Women’s Coleen Nolan, Love Island veteran Gabby Allen, rapper Professor Green, content creator PK Humble, and TV personality David Potts.
In the build-up to the premiere, Gabby Allen shared details of the first date that left her “bewildered.” Speaking to Channel 4, the Love Island alum described walking into the moment expecting normal dating rituals—only to find her date arriving with something far more unexpected.. She said the first date involved a goldfish, and that the sight of it immediately made her question whether she was really living through what she was seeing.
Gabby’s reaction captures the exact tone the show has become known for: romance, but with a twist.. She said the date included “outrageous” remarks from her date—comments she felt were flirting in a way that didn’t quite land how she expected.. At one point, she described being so thrown off by what was said that it felt like “the absolute opposite” of what she thought would happen in a typical first meeting.
Why Celebs Go Dating’s first-date chaos still works
For viewers, that mix of awkwardness and comedy is the hook.. Celebrity dating can easily become polished, rehearsed, and a little too guarded.. Misryoum’s read on Gabby’s reaction is that the goldfish and the bold conversation take the pressure off “perfect impressions,” even if they do create instant surprise.. The result is a first date that feels unfiltered—exactly the kind of moment audiences end up replaying and debating online.
There’s also a practical side to the show’s structure.. Celebs Go Dating places contestants in situations designed to push them out of their comfort zones, then has the experts step in with guidance.. Gabby’s comments suggest the agency atmosphere is already influencing how people settle in, even when the opening moments are unusual.
The goldfish moment: comedy, nerves, and awkward icebreakers
Even with her initial shock, Gabby didn’t dismiss the date as a complete misfire.. She praised the fact that her date stayed playful and even framed it as a genuine icebreaker—saying the goldfish “broke the ice.” In her telling, the chaos wasn’t only there to provoke; it created a doorway into conversation and, eventually, the agency experience.
That balance matters, especially for a show where personalities are already known to audiences. Gabby described the date as hilarious while also acknowledging the “outrageous” element. That blend—humour first, confusion second—keeps the viewing experience from tipping into pure cringe.
What viewers can expect from the new series
Gabby also pointed to the broader matchmaking process, explaining that she felt the agents did well in steering her toward men she found “lovely,” and that the show’s aim is ultimately about finding the right fit rather than chasing a perfect fantasy.. For fans, that message lands on something Misryoum sees consistently with reality dating formats: the most watchable arc isn’t just chemistry—it’s growth, adjustment, and learning how to communicate.
With Celebs Go Dating launching on E4 at 9pm on 4 May, the premiere is set up to deliver exactly what the programme usually promises: high-energy introductions, expert-led matchmaking, and a first-date moment that’s hard to forget.. And if Gabby’s goldfish story is any indication, at least one contestant won’t be able to believe what they walked into—even before the conversation begins.