First Dates Fans Heartbroken As Star Brings Dead Husband's Ashes To Date

It was another moving edition of Channel 4's First Dates, with viewers left in tears at singleton Shannen's dating history.

The hopeful was meeting Daniel at Fred Sirieix's famous London restaurant, and the pair seemed to hit it off immediately.

As they chatted, talk soon turned to past loves, which quickly became emotional as Shannen discussed her former loves.

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"I was married," she said.

"I had a proper crush, he went to the school next to me and we used to catch the bus to school together.

"I remember the first time we kissed. We were just lying on the bed and The Lion King was on and it's like one of my favourite Disney films and we were so close to each other.

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"And you know when you really want someone to kiss you? And I was like, 'He's not going to do it because he's too shy.'"

After pair did eventually share their first kiss, things went from strength to strength, with Shannen happily partnered up with her beau for six years.

However, after he was tragically diagnosed with cancer at just 23-years-old and given just two weeks to live, the pair decided to make their union official and tie the knot.

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"We got married on the Sunday,' she said. 'He passed away 11 days later, it was really sad, someone like that doesn't deserve to die."

Shannen's first love will always be with her though, as she had his ashes and his birthstone made into a ring, which she wore on the date.

The hugely emotional moment saw viewers flock to Twitter to say how moved they were by Shannen's story.

"I hope Shannen finds love again." wrote one viewer.

"I'm actually in tears at First Dates," said another. "So sad for that poor young woman."

"Poor Shannen, widowed at 23," a third added. "What a sad story."

Shannen is hopeful she will fall in love again in the future.

Speaking to the camera away from the table, she said: "Deep down I think, 'Am I ever going to meet someone like that again?'

"But I know it will happen."

First Dates continues Wednesdays at 9pm on Channel 4

Topics: Entertainment News, TV News, Sex & Relationships, first dates

Kimberley Bond

Kim is a journalist at Tyla, and has previously worked at the Evening Standard, Radio Times as well as several national newspapers. A showbiz obsessive and a television fanatic, Kim is particularly interested in celebrity gossip, A-list events and the latest releases on either the big or small screen. Contact her at [email protected]

@0xKimberley