A first on First Dates as single parent Charlotte arrived at Channel 4’s lonely hearts restaurant… with her mother.

Thankfully, mum Maria wasn’t there as a chaperone. She was looking for love. Just like her daughter. Their twin pronged man-hunt was a family affair.

As Charlotte gazed across the table at bemused body builder Ben, he asked her: “Do you usually take your mum to your first dates?” Hashtag awks.

Incredibly, big Ben saw the funny side and they got on like a house on fire. Ditto Maria and her designated companion Steve. “Chin chin,” she said as they toasted their instant chemistry. “Up your bum,” replied Steve. Eat your heart out Casanova.

Conveniently, Charlotte didn’t have to phone home with her verdict on her partner. She just met Maria in the ladies’. Charlotte: “He’s lush.” Maria: “He’s a lush?”

In other news… the long and short of it was that 5ft 1in Katie really hit it off with 6ft 4in James. But, surprisingly, they weren’t the most physically mismatched couple.

Across the dining room a 6ft 2in bloke was looking down on a girl who proudly announced she was “four foot and a half.” He could end up with a cricked neck.

This compelling programme is still delivering the goods. It’s fascinating to see relationships get off to a flying start or fall at the first hurdle.

Talking of which, romance wasn’t blossoming for scientist Jemma and geographer Dan who opened his account by singing a sea shanty.

“I think I’m an acquired taste,” he conceded. “My main date boundaries or rules involve censoring myself to not talk about genocide or other topics that are – you know – not that romantic.” He went on to talk about animal slaughter, banks and mortgages.

When it was time to decide whether they’d see each other again, Dan declared: “I’m gonna throw it out there and say probably not.” Jemma wholeheartedly agreed. Two taxis for one please.