Tour De Fred: Northern Ireland sees First Dates host explore the best the country has to offer

First Date's host Fred Sirieix has been discovering Northern Ireland as part of his new TV series.

Tour De Fred: Northern Ireland starts at 2pm on Monday March 3 and airs daily until Friday, March 7 on ITV1 and ITVX.

The show sees Fred truly embody ‘joie de vivre’ as he embarks on a cycling adventure through the stunning landscapes of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

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Fred will say ‘bonjour’ to the rich culture, history, places, and of course people, that Northern Ireland has to offer as he immerses himself in local life and visits hidden gems.

As Tour De Fred: Northern Ireland prepares to land on our screens, the TV personality shared a little taster to his adventures across our wee country and what he learnt along the way.

Here is what Fred had to say about NI:

What was it that initially inspired you to embark on the cycling trip and what made the Emerald Isle the perfect setting for this series?

I've been in the UK for 32 years and I’ve never really explored Ireland or Northern Ireland properly before, so it was a fantastic opportunity for me and I am grateful that I was able to see the country for what it really is.

People always talk about the Irish people being so hospitable and welcoming, and you think it is a myth, is this true? Am I really going to find such welcoming and kind people? And you have never experienced real hospitality if you haven't been to Ireland before. The people are just so friendly.

When we went to Derry we got the most incredible welcome - it was so warm, so uplifting and so genuine. People would see me in the street and just shout ‘Hey Fred, welcome to our wee town’, and that was just incredible. I can’t wait to go back to Derry - it was truly magical.

What was it that made you want to cycle? Have you always been a keen cyclist? Were there any routes that you found really challenging?

I love sports and I love cycling so to travel around a country either cycling or walking, is just the best, because you're going slowly which means you can actually take the time to see what's in front of you and look at the scenery and meet the people. It's just a very different pace and rhythm and I love that.

I’ve been on two wheels since I was three years old. I come from the French countryside so I was always cycling, going to see my friends in the next village. I also commuted by bike for years in London working in the restaurant industry and crossing London to go to work every day. I've always cycled, and sometimes I don't even realise I'm cycling, It doesn’t even feel like fitness.

One of my first challenges in the series was in the Mourne Mountains, which are a mountain range in County Down and it’s quite hilly and steep. As we were going up, it was raining and there was wind and it was so cold so it was tough.

This is what happens when you cycle and face the elements and its nature. It’s life and I love being in the middle of the world - I’m a bit of a naturalist like that.

The series focuses on hidden gems - can you give us a sneak peak into what standout discoveries, locations or local cuisines that you really fell in love with along the way?

I really enjoyed learning how to make potato bread. That was fantastic because it's such a traditional way to cook, and it's something that people don't really do anymore and to make it so traditionally was fantastic.

We also went swimming in the Irish Sea in November which was brilliant. Of course it’s cold, but you just get in and do it. The sea is beautiful, and when you’re in the sea in November it’s a mad thing to do but I can’t say I didn’t enjoy it.

Was there anything on your trip which really surprised you?

I went on the trip with very open eyes and an open mind. I just let people tell me their stories, and I listened. I experienced it all for what it was and saw people for who they were. The Irish people are lovely people and it’s a lovely country. I’ve travelled quite a bit, and been to quite a few countries, but I’ve never experienced anything like I experienced in Ireland.

Derry was a real highlight. Not only for how hospitable and welcoming the people were, but it has so much history. It was at the very heart of all the troubles but the people there just want to get on with life. They want to have a good time and they want to make people around them happy.

How would you describe Northern Ireland to someone who had never visited before?

It’s just stunning.The breadth and the diversity of the sceneries that you see are fantastic, as well as the warmth and the welcome of the people. The food is delicious, they are all about the produce, and I had some incredible food. The seafood and all the beef and the lamb is just incredible, it really is a place worth visiting.

What do you hope viewers take away from watching Tour De Fred: Northern Ireland?

I just hope people will enjoy it, and it will compel them to go and visit and experience it for themselves. We show quite a lot of Northern Ireland, and we speak to a lot of different people, and do so many different things. For example, I went weaving and it was such an experience to learn how to weave and to do it how people were doing it 300 years ago. It was so exciting and people were so excited about their job, they just loved it and that was so refreshing to see..

Tour De Fred: Northern Ireland starts at 2pm on Monday 3rd March, and airs daily until Friday 7th March on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player

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