STARS SEARCH FOR 'THE ONE'

Relationship expert Anna Williamson tells us what we can expect from the new series of Celebs Go Dating, including bad behaviour and emotional breakthroughs

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It's the 14th season of the hit reality dating series, and who better to guide the latest batch of celebs through the romantic chaos than Anna Williamson? The trusted matchmaker returns to the agency alongside Dr Tara Suwinyattichaiporn, Paul C Brunson and everyone's favourite receptionist Tom Read Wilson.

But there's a twist right from the start. “Get your popcorn ready,” Anna says. “We have a ‘new’ agency this series.”

The latest season of Celebs Go Dating opens with a sunny shakeup. The celebs kick off their dating journeys with a trip to Ibiza.

“We've got amazing celebrities who are so different. They each brought such different challenges for us coaches to work on,” she says.

This year's lineup is packed with TV favourites from across the reality and entertainment spectrum. The Chase's quiz legend Mark Labbett, Love Island's Olivia Hawkins, Too Hot To Handle star Louis Russell, The Sandman’s Donna Preston and Made In Chelsea bad boy Sam Prince all step into the dating ring. They're joined by TV personality and autism advocate Christine McGuinness, singer turned reality star Kerry Katona — who returns to the show six years after her first appearance — and S Club 7’s Jon Lee.

“The challenge this year was trying to keep up with the celebrities and their dating prowess,” Anna says.

“It was quite challenging to help some of our celebrities unlearn certain behaviours. Some of them didn’t know how to even walk into a date and execute it appropriately.”

Anna, Tara and Paul work closely with the celebrities to help them identify unhealthy patterns throughout their onscreen dates. “We let things play out,” Anna says. “They feel emotional, tearful — that’s part of the process. It’s a very important part of the work. When we get to our vulnerable side, we start to look at what needs to be done.” It's a tough process, particularly with high-profile names.