A Hampshire mum has appeared on a reality television show in the hope of finding love.

Fran McRoberts, a 47-year-old mother-of-two, took part in Channel 4’s First Dates, where she was paired up with 46 -year-old Colin from Essex.

But the single mum from Beggarwood in Basingstoke was less than impressed with her blind date, and declined meeting the violent crime writer for a second time.

Fran was seen opening up on the show about her loneliness, and said she struggles to get out because of having to care for her 12-year-old son Alex, who was born with a tumour.

Her marriage broke down through the stress of caring for Alex, and so she decided to take part in the programme in the hope of finding someone special.

Despite the pair appearing to get on well during their meal in the First Dates restaurant, Fran turned down a second date with Colin, telling him “there was no buzz”.

Speaking to The Gazette after the show aired last Tuesday, Fran said she had to go through a rigorous audition process before being accepted for the programme.

She said the actual date was very unnatural, adding: “The cameras are all around you. It’s really bright and you sit there and you have to remember not to look at the cameras. The taxi you get into after only takes you to the bus stop then you have to find your own way home.”

Referring to Colin, she said he wasn’t manly enough for her, adding: “I want a younger man. Who talks about their mum on a date?”

Fran confessed to Colin on the date that in 2014 she won a competition for which she was named Britain’s hottest mum.

But she said that the revelation had resulted in nasty comments being posted on social media about her after the show, and believes this is down to jealousy.

She said: “I find it difficult to meet someone because of my alter-ego, people judge you because you are glamorous. So I thought I would go on the show and people would see that I’m not just trying to promote myself.”

Asked what sort of man she hopes to find, Fran said: “I want someone to talk about the weather. I want someone who’s happy in his skin and can take the world on and be strong and get to know the real Fran, not the glamorous glamour girl. Someone who’s happy with himself.”

Despite failing to find love on First Dates, Fran said she is glad she took part in the show, and has since been invited back to try her luck a second time.

She added: “It was a really good experience. I like to test things and see how far I can push my personality. It’s opened a few doors for me and when I’m a single parent it keeps a roof over your head. If it doesn’t hurt anyone I don’t know why people are offended. If you don’t have haters then you haven’t done anything with your life.”