Taylor sets Irish hearts aflutter on TV show

Taylor Kirk appeared on the Irish version of the game show on Tv3 on Friday night.

The popular dating show, like its UTV equivalent, sees a single man given three chances to impress 30 ladies who can dismiss him by flicking a switch.

Taylor, an amateur footballer who has played with Nortel and now PSNI, managed to keep all 30 lights on for the first two rounds - even impressing with his ball juggling skills in his Nortel FC training shirt.

But when the 22-year-old sports coaching student at the UUJ started to talk about himself, 18 of the girls showed their dislike.

Taylor, whose father Jamesie managed Ballyclare Comrades and Nortel, said: “They started to turn their lights off when I said I was a barman and a student and I think they thought I wouldn’t have the time. But I said I would definitely make the time for each and every one of them.”

Taylor got through to the final round when the power was put in his hands to decide on the lucky lady he got to take out on a date to the fictional Shifters nightclub.

Taylor selected Meath girl Aine Leonard. He said: “She was a lovely girl and since we recorded the show last year we have been on a few dates since.

“She is actually friends with a friend of mine and we still keep in touch and are good friends. But with us being so busy and living so far apart it was difficult for any relationship to develop.”

The show was actually recorded in January, 2012 in the Helix in Dublin.

Taylor added: “I got to watch them film two other shows before my appearance and I was playing it cool, but as soon as I got in the Love Lift to go on the stage the nerves really did kick in.

“But it was great craic, one of the best things I’ve ever done and I would love to do it again if I got the chance.”