Tonight's episode of First Dates Ireland will feature the show's first-ever sign language date.
John Charles, a 27-year-old design student from Edenderry, and Stephen, a 24-year-old HR professional from Dublin, will be the first pairing to conduct their date entirely through sign language.
Though Stephen is not deaf, a severe childhood speech impediment led him to search for other ways to communicate with those around him.
“Growing up I had a really severe speech impediment to the point where I couldn't even fully pronounce my own name properly. I knew exactly what I wanted to say, I’d talk all the time but people couldn’t understand me.”
“It meant that I was really interested in, if one way of communication wasn't working for you that you could just choose an alternative,” he tells viewers.
Check out the teaser clip below:
Tonight’s episode features a first for the show in Ireland & the UK - a date conducted entirely in sign language..
— RTÉ2 (@RTE2) January 30, 2018
The episode features a date between design student John Charles and HR professional Stephen from Dublin.
See how they get on at 9.30pm! pic.twitter.com/UakVx386Rq
But, some things are just meant to be; John and Stephen have actually met before, and seem immediately at ease with each other's company.
“I just knew I'd meet someone I knew – because well, it's Dublin!”
Stephen currently holds the title of 'Mr Gay Ireland' and told viewers, "One of my friends said, when I won Mr Gay Ireland, 'if you can’t find a boyfriend this year, you never will!'"
Tune into First Dates Ireland on RTÉ2 tonight at 9.30pm to see if John Charles and Stephen hit it off.
