TV

Celebs Go Dating expert Eden Blackman has QUIT the show

A fifth series of the show has yet to be officially announced

Eden Blackman has quit Celebs Go Dating after four series.

The dating expert – who worked as celebrity matchmaker alongside Lady Nadia Essex – confirmed his departure from the E4 show on Friday morning.

E4
Eden with fellow matchmaker Lady Nadia Essex (Credit: E4)

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He posted a lengthy statement to Twitter explaining he was stepping down from his Celebs Go Dating role in order to focus on other business commitments.

“Today I informed the team that I won’t be returning to my role at Celebs Go Dating if and when the show comes back for Series 5,” he wrote.

E4
Eden thanked everyone he had worked with at Celebs Go Dating (Credit: E4)

“I’m immensely proud of the show’s success but after four great series, it’s now time for me to fully commit to my other projects – 2018 will see me relaunch my dating app ‘Would Like To Meet’ and also marks the 18th year of my music PR agency, which remain my biggest passions and takes up a great deal of my time.

“On top of this, I’m also in the process of developing a further new business that is yet to be announced… so it’s a really exciting time.

Eden with Lady Nadia and receptionist Tom (Credit: Fameflynet)

“I’m thankful to everyone at Lime Pictures and C4 for the opportunity. I’ve had a great time and following its best rated series to date, wish them nothing but more success for the show moving forwards.

“Thanks for all your support.”

Eden’s fans rushed to tell him how much they’ll miss him on screen and wish him the best for the future.

There had been rumours recently of a rift between Eden and Lady Nadia, who has yet to comment on his departure.

It led to speculation Eden could be dropped from a future series, but he vehemently denied that in a string of Twitter messages earlier this month.

Instagram @edenblackman
Eden has another project coming out soon (Credit: Instagram @edenblackman)

At the time, he told fans: “Morning all. Following further over night speculation concerning myself & Celebs Go Dating, I feel it necessary to address this matter and give you the facts.

“Firstly as I’ve said before, a new series hasn’t yet been commissioned. Meaning currently it doesn’t actually exist…

“Which means I cannot be ‘sacked’ as I’m not employed for a role to be sacked from. I don’t have an employer who can sack me! My return to series 5 is something Channel 4 & I have the only decision in, no one else. As you can imagine there are multiple combinations to that outcome.

Instagram @edenblackman
Pictured filming Celebs Go Dating in Cape Verde last year (Credit: Instagram @edenblackman)

“As many of you know Celebs Go Dating is not my only ‘job’. I own a successful music PR company & a dating app that take up a huge amount of my time. The show isn’t my only source of income so I must consider where my time is needed the most.”

Celebs Go Dating premiered back in 2016 with celebs like Joey Essex and Charlotte Crosby pleading with Eden and Nadia to help them find love.

It’s now run for four series and featured stars including Gemma Collins, Georgia ‘Toff’ Toffolo, Ferne McCann and James ‘Arg’ Argent.

Celebs Go Dating (Credit: E4)
The cast for the fourth series of Celebs Go Dating (Credit: E4)

The premise is Eden and Nadia setting celebs up with regular members of the public and coaching them as they go on dates and try to understand what they’re looking for in a mate.

While a fifth series has yet to be confirmed, Nadia recently told OK! Magazine she thinks changes need to be made if the show returns.

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She said: “We’ve done four really good series and I think now there’s an opportunity to look at what works, and what maybe doesn’t and refresh it.

“In terms of going into the next series, we could make it something that’s phenomenal. We’ve got the backbone, we’ve got the ground and I hope we use this opportunity.”

Will you miss Eden on Celebs Go Dating? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor

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