ONE OF the brains behind Coronation Street has revealed that he was asked on Celebs Go Dating.
Jonathan Harvey, 48, has penned more than 230 episodes for the ITV soap over the past two decades – but he’s not used to being the one in front of the screen.
He was so gobsmacked by the invitation to participate in the reality show that he took to social media to share his immediate response.
The scriptwriter joked: “Just got approached to see if I wanted to go on the next series of Celebs Go Dating. Can’t stop HOWLING.”
EastEnders actress Josie Lawrence was quick to reply with a hilarious suggestion, saying: “God I love the idea of this. Can I be your date?
“We could sit there just fumin’ at each other and not saying a word. Then be filmed separately saying how well it had gone.”
One enthusiastic fan chanted: “Do it! Do it! Do it!”
Another giggled: “That would be hilarious…for all the wrong reasons!”
Jonathan has previously spoken up about the lack of diversity on Coronation Street.
In 2016 he told The Daily Star: ““It could certainly do with having a better racial mix.
“It’s supposed to represent the world and life. There’s lots of things you try – and don’t always get them right but you should be striving.”
At the time Dev Alahan played by Jimmi Harkishin was Corrie’s only long running ethnic minority character.
The year after Jonathan said that, soap bosses made a major overhaul to include more Asian and black characters.
Producer Kate Oates championed the change of cast, saying: “In terms of reflecting diversity and showing black and Asian characters, yes, we absolutely need to do more of it.
“And we need more black and Asian writers, to bring out the truth of those voices.
“It’s important to keep the show strong and relevant, so that it’s running long after everyone’s forgotten who I am.”
Where stars of Celebs Go Dating are now?
Celebs Go Dating premiered in 2016 and has since aired a whopping twelve series of the show and has helped almost 50 famous faces try and find love.
Whilst many didn’t find their forever partner on the programme, many of the show’s biggest names have nonetheless managed to settle down of their own accord.
- Charlotte Crosby (series 1 – 2016) – The show’s first big signee was Charlotte who was fresh from quitting Geordie Shore and splitting with on-off love Gaz Beadle. On the show, she enjoyed dates with a stripper named Jeavon and MAFS hunk Brad Skelly–years before he took part in the E4 marriage programme. These days, the reality megastar has found love with businessman Jake Ankers and the pair share daughter Alba Jean together. Having got engaged in Dubai last year, with the proposal filmed for her BBC series Charlotte in Sunderland, the TV couple are now planning a wedding of their dreams as well as hoping for more children.
- Ferne McCann (series 2 – 2017) – Ferne was fresh out of the I’m A Celebrity jungle when she joined the Celebrity Dating Agency. Although the TOWIE beauty failed to find lasting love on the programme, she soon became a mother to baby Sunday with her jailed ex, Arthur Collins. These days she is happily with her fiance Lorri Haines and the couple even have their own child together, Finty.
- Jorgie Porter (series 2 – 2017) – Like Ferne, Hollyoaks actress Jorgie was snapped up for the show after a stint Down Under. She is now a mum-of-one to baby Forest and has recently given fans a peek into motherhood and her home life with fiance Ollie for the very first time on ITV reality series, Drama Queens.
- Charlotte Dawson (series 3 – 2017) – Charlotte was all up for a laugh when she headed to the Agency after making a reputation for herself as a wild party animal. During her time on the programme, she enjoyed a sordid forbidden romance with fellow celeb, The X Factor star Frankie Coccozza which quickly fizzled out. Now the star is a mum to two boys, Noah and Jude, with her rugby ace partner, Matt Sarsfield.
- Kerry Katona (series 6 – 2019) – Whilst often known for being unlucky in love, Kerry attempted to find the one with a turn on CGD. With three failed marriages and five children under her belt, Kerry treated the programme as a last-chance saloon. Whilst romance did not blossom, she used the agent’s advice with her next partner, fiance Ryan Mahoney whom she met shortly after the series wrapped. Kerry and Ryan are still happily together to this day and live in her stunning Cheshire abode.
- Alison Hammond (series 8 – 2020) – This Morning legend Alison took part in the programme in 2020 after admitting to longing for a partner. Although she enjoyed a slew of successful dates, nothing appeared to last. However, The Sun revealed earlier this month how the TV presenter had managed to win the heart of a Russian toyboy, David Putman.
- Laura Anderson and Gary Lucy (series 11 – 2022) – Love Island star Laura and Hollyoaks actor Gary ended up dating one another after both signing up for the show’s eleventh series. They went on to have a daughter together, Bonnie, but their romance has been on-off with the pair even being separated during Laura’s pregnancy. Although it looked as though the romance had gotten back on track, things appear to have cooled once again in recent weeks.
- Vanessa Feltz (series 12 – 2023) – Vanessa signed up for the show in the wake of her highly-publicised split from her ex, Ben Ofeudo. Vanessa left E4 fans shocked when she was criticised for her rude demeanour on dates and was called out by the show’s agents for her behaviour with the gentleman she was paired up with on the show. Vanessa is still believed to be single almost a year on from the show.
- Adam Collard (series 12 – 2023)– The Love Island bad boy caused tension on the show after he hooked up with fashion model and OnlyFans creator Lottie Moss during filming but later confirmed he wanted nothing more with Kate Moss’ little sis. These days, he is loved up with sports broadcaster Laura Woods with the couple regularly putting on the PDA when out in public.