Of all TV's subgenres, the dating show probably has the least dignified public image. In the 80s, Perfect Match thrilled us all with its vision of a romantic utopia in which men and women could find their ideal partner via the calculations of a cheeky robot.

Though, committed to honesty, it always brought contestants back to tell us how much they hated each other.

First Dates has a lot to offer.

Over the years, the dating game has produced many attempts to out-tacky itself with moral ugliness and terminal banality: Chains of Love, Man O Man, Yasmin's Getting Married etc etc.

Given all this, it still amazes that somehow, a little pocket of sweetness has opened up in the form of First Dates.