Catherine Wilkinson, 20, studies fashion and brand management at The University of Central Lancashire. Alongside her twin, Samantha Wilkinson, she appears on the tongue-in-cheek dating show that is set to air December 11th.
Whilst registering for an online dating agency and watching Coach Trip, Catherine came to the realisation that she herself wanted to join the reality TV bandwagon: “ I typed into Google ‘reality TV audition’ and the first match was ‘identical twins wanted for reality TV dating show ‘ – it was like killing two birds with one stone.”
10 days after her audition Catherine found herself in the Hilton Hotel in Maidstone, Kent, with 29 fellow singletons. Catherine said: “I was filled with a mixture of nerves and excitement as were all of the girls, but it was such a brilliant experience and one I am sure I will tell the grandchildren!”
Catherine admits she was on the show for love after her countless failed relationships. Although in the midst of lust she did not let her future slip her mind, handing out business cards to stylists, makeup artists and the press officer.
Unfortunately not all was ‘glitz and glam’: “The most embarrassing experience was falling down the steps on my penultimate night -I toppled down to many gasps from the audience. I thought they would re-take the walk down the stairs, but they carried on filming – I just hope it doesn’t make the final cut!”
The show is hosted by the contemporary cupid Paddy McGuinness, who nicknamed the girls Samcat in a mocking comparison to irritating Irish twins Jedward.
Although Catherine is not able to reveal the outcome of the show, she will admit: “It is difficult to find somebody who genuinely would like a relationship. I also think I need to start aiming for more mature man, younger men are generally so unreliable! It’s a matter of needing to have a little bit more self respect! Or perhaps I’m just too nice for my own good. Either way I always end up losing out.”