EXCLUSIVE: A former Take Me Out contestant has opened up about what it was really like to be part of the ITV dating show, and the online abuse she suffered in the aftermath14:42, 03 Jul 2026A former contestant on the reality series Take Me Out has lifted the lid on what life behind the scenes was truly like — and the horrific backlash that followed.‌The infamous dating show, which gave rise to the "No Likey No Lighty" catchphrase coined by host Paddy McGuinness, ran on ITV for 11 series between 2010 and 2019.‌The format saw a single man attempt to win a date with one of 30 women stood before him, as they were presented with facts about him — switching their lights off if they weren't interested, while he could also eliminate contestants based on his own attraction to them.‌At the end of each round, if just one woman remained with her light on, she would be whisked off to "the isle of Fernando's" for a romantic date with the bachelor.One former participant has now spoken candidly about what it was genuinely like to feature on the programme, and the devastating online abuse she endured in the wake of her appearance, reports the Daily Star.‌Bianca Maria featured in series 10 of Take Me Out, and exclusively shared at the National Film Awards: "It was an amazing experience, filming the show was absolutely amazing, I had the best time, I can't fault the team for the care we had, I had the absolute best time."But the aftermath of it, in terms of the trolling and stuff, that ended up being quite an experience, shall we say."Bianca revealed that had the trolling occurred after contestants were permitted to do their own hair and makeup, "It wouldn't be as bad because I'd done it and I'll own it."‌She continued: "But if you're not happy with something and you get trolled for it, that's a bit upsetting."In the years since Take Me Out aired, and with growing awareness around the duty of care afforded to contestants on shows such as Love Island and Strictly Come Dancing, Bianca believes there is still considerable progress to be made.‌She said: |There's a lot more that could be done in terms of reality shows, if they could have a programme to help people that come off the show, or help before they go on the show, and make sure that they know there's a lot of people out there who are going to troll you and maybe some training on how to deal with the trolls would be nice."She went on: "People have lost their lives going on reality shows, because it can ruin someone's life... it's not just a TV show, it's ok when you're on TV but once you come off TV, it's not a show anymore. People are trying to destroy you and I think that's the sad side of social media."‌Despite the trolling she received, Bianca praised Take Me Out for the unforgettable memories it created, and the friends she met. She said: "I had the best time, the filming was the best experience of my life and I'm so grateful I had the experience. But coming off the show, the aftermath and trolling and press, I just was not prepared for that at all."Bianca revealed she had been bullied when she was younger, and one makeup artist on the show called her "vulnerable", warning her not to listen to trolls."I didn't think too much into it at the time, but coming off [the show], I thought, maybe it was the plan [for me] to be the joke act, and she was trying to train me up and let me know not to worry about what people say."‌She said that hearing the reaction from viewers when she came off the show was "mentally tough", adding: "You think the whole country hate you, but the whole country doesn't watch Take Me Out! Maybe three million people... which is embarrassing enough!"I didn't want to go out, I wore a hood, and that impacted me mentally, I think my mental health suffered. It felt like everybody hated me, it was horrible."‌Bianca elsewhere praised host Paddy as a "really nice guy", saying: "He came to say hello to all the girls in the dressing room after one of the shows, and he took pictures with us and I thought that was really nice of him."After a decade on air, Take Me Out was axed by ITV, with Paddy saying at the time: "10 years that's before Tinder, Snapchat, Twitter was a little baby, Instagram wasn't a thing and Whatsapp that were just witchcraft."What I am most proud of is the success of Take Me Out as it put dating show back on the TV map, thank you to the boys who braved the love lift and more importantly the stars of the show, the girls. I am going to miss spending my Saturday nights with you."Article continues belowITV have been appraoched for a comment.