Professor Green Signs Up for Celebs Go Dating 2026 — But Won't Dish on His Past
The new season of Celebs Go Dating has arrived, and among the celebrities looking for love is rapper Professor Green. The 2026 series, which premiered on May 4 on E4, follows a fresh lineup of famous faces as they navigate blind dates, group mixers, and expert-led coaching sessions in search of genuine romantic connections.
Professor Green — real name Stephen Manderson — is best known for hits like "Just Be Good to Green" and his appearances on Made in Chelsea during his relationship with Millie Mackintosh. Now, he's turning to the agency run by Paul C Brunson, Anna Williamson, and Dr Tara Suwinyattichaiporn. But viewers hoping for a tell-all about his high-profile exes will be disappointed.
Speaking ahead of the series, the rapper made it clear he has drawn a "red line" on how much he is willing to discuss his relationship history. "It's important that I come from a place of I, it's not relationships in any way, shape or form," he told Channel 4. "Whether that's professional, friendship or romantic, it's far too nuanced to discuss the other person when they're not present because each person has a different experience of what happened."
A Deliberate Boundary
Professor Green's dating history includes four notable relationships. He dated actor Candy McCulloch from 2010 to 2011, then married Made in Chelsea star Millie Mackintosh in 2013 before divorcing in 2016. He later dated model Fae Williams and actor Karima McAdams, with whom he shares a son, Slimane Ray, born in 2021. Reports of their split emerged in April 2024.
Despite this track record, the rapper insists he will not use the show as a platform to recount old romances. "Just me talking about something that involved more than just myself is gonna have bias involved and I don't think that would be very fair," he explained.
A Milestone Season With a Sunny Twist
Season 15 of Celebs Go Dating marks a milestone for the long-running reality series. This year, the cast heads to Tenerife for a sun-soaked getaway, giving relationships more space to develop away from everyday life. The format includes dinner parties, mixers, and one-on-one dates, all guided by the agency's relationship experts.
Joining Professor Green on this year's cast are Coleen Nolan, James Haskell, Lucinda Light, Gabby Allen, and David Potts. Tom Read Wilson returns as Client Coordinator, while Rob Beckett narrates. New episodes are released daily across the week, with Episode 2 airing on May 5 and Episode 3 following on May 6.
The Voice That Divides Viewers
Tom Read Wilson, known for his extremely posh accent, continues to attract attention. Speculation that his voice is an act has followed him since his I'm a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! appearance. Co-star Anna Williamson has repeatedly confirmed it is genuine.
"Let me tell you now on my kids' graves. That is how Tom speaks," she said. "He is influenced by his dad. He was an English teacher and Tom just speaks like that. He jokes that he sounds like June Whitfield like an 80 year old well-spoken granny. But that is how Tom speaks. That's for real. When he's upset, happy. Like off duty on duty."
Tom Read Wilson himself has said his vocabulary and accent come from his "wonderful" father, an English teacher.
What This Means for the Show and Celebrity Dating Culture
Celebs Go Dating has always occupied a unique space in reality TV. Unlike dating shows that pair celebrities with each other, this series matches famous participants with non-celebrity singles. The premise is that even those accustomed to red carpets and flashbulbs can struggle with the fundamentals of romance.
Professor Green's boundary-setting reflects a broader trend in modern celebrity culture. In an era where every relationship detail can become tabloid fodder, some stars are pushing back. By refusing to discuss past partners in detail, Green is asserting control over his narrative — a move that may resonate with viewers tired of hearing private stories exploited for entertainment.
The 2026 cast also includes figures from different corners of fame: former rugby star James Haskell, Loose Women's Coleen Nolan, and reality personalities like Gabby Allen and David Potts. This mix ensures a range of dating perspectives, from those with long public relationship histories to those new to the spotlight.
A Growing Global Audience
The show has also expanded its reach this season. With a reliable VPN, international viewers can now stream Celebs Go Dating on Channel 4's platform. This accessibility reflects a larger shift in how UK reality TV is consumed worldwide, as audiences from the US to Australia tune in for the unscripted drama and heartfelt moments.
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Professor Green to see if the agency's experts can help him find lasting love — without rehashing the past. And for fans curious about how other stars navigate their public and private lives, the 2026 Met Gala offered its own lessons in celebrity boundaries: Timothée Chalamet skipped the event to attend a Knicks playoff game, prioritising personal time over a high-profile red carpet appearance.
Celebs Go Dating airs daily on E4 and streams on Channel 4. Episode 2 premieres May 5, 2026.
Comments