BLIND-DATE Students pick their Valentine!

Love was in the air when students at Waltham Forest College turned back time to stage a “blind date” game show to celebrate St Valentine’s Day.

Reviving memories of Cilla Black’s TV matchmaking programme, four students set out on a quest to find their perfect partner.

Reshawn Davis, a 19-year-old studying for a BTEC national diploma in public services, had to pick from travel and tourism student Naomi, hairdressing student Honey, and student leader Hannah.

Naomi was the nickname used by Marsha Daley, Honey was Laura Popo’s pseudonym, and Batula Sharif was Hannah.

He asked the girls “if you could pick a song to describe yourself, what would it be?” and “where would you take me on our first date?”

Reshawn said: “I am doing it for fun but who knows what might happen. I’m hoping it might lead to romance.”

He said he was a big fan of the TV show which ran for 18 years until Cilla bowed out in 2003. “I used to watch it and thought I would like to be a contestant one day. This was my chance,” he added.

He turned down Naomi who said she would take him to KFC on her first date because that was all she could afford, and he said “no, no, no” to Honey who revealed that the record that best described her was Amy Winehouse’s Rehab.

He chose Hannah, and their prize was a meal for two at the Mallinson Restaurant at the college’s campus in Forest Road, Walthamstow, where catering students demonstrate their cooking and serving skills.

Student union president Batula Sharif, who organised the St Valentine’s Party with enrichment manager Jonathan Constable, said the blind date show was the latest students have held on a TV theme.

“We had a W Factor contest last year, and we have a Waltham Forest’s Got Talent show planned for next month,” she added.

The Valentine’s Party was held in the Student Common Room, decorated with heart-shape balloons, low lighting and soft music to set the tone for romance.