Presenter Paddy Smyth reveals that he has turned down roles on other dating shows after he won over audiences on First Dates Ireland.  Speaking to the Irish Mirror the influencer revealed his motivation for going on the hit RTE show “I went on First Dates Ireland for the experience and to show people how hard it can be for a gay disabled person on the scene.”

The disability activist and social media influencer has revealed that he turned down offers to appear on Blind Date and The Undateables.

The Undateables is a Channel 4 show which follows a range of people who have long term conditions including physical disabilities, learning difficulties and developmental disorders. Paddy is critical of the show, “I don’t think The Undateables is a very good show and it doesn’t paint disabled people in a good light.  The show makes you feel sorry for them and you almost cringe”.

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Although Paddy turned down roles for the two UK dating shows, Irish audiences will know he recently starred on RTÉ Show ‘The Fitting Room’. The show which recently finished its first series aims to help people express themselves with fashion while asking: what if you have an unusual body shape, are gender non-conforming or live with a disability?

Paddy has said that the show is about “breaking that Instagram idea of one image fits all by showing viewers that you can be beautiful no matter what you look like.” He believes that the show empowers people “Our show is about celebrating those people and making them look like warriors. They are people like me and you.”

Paddy Smyth was recently a panellist at ‘Call It Out: A Queer Perspective’ an event discussing homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in Ireland. The panel organised by GCN in conjunction with TENI and the #CALLITOUT campaign can be heard here.