My Mum, Your Dad series one fan favourite sparks backlash as he makes returns one year on

My Mum, Your Dad fan favourite Paul is returning to the show with his daughter Mazey - and promised viewers will notice "more self-development" in him.

The contestant, from Bath, Somerset, was a huge hit with fans of the ITV show last year as he struck up a romance with single mum Natalie. While he admitted he and Natalie had a "very genuine" connection, he said they are "two very different people" which meant their relationship didn't work out and he is now returning to the show.

He said that since filming the first season, he has been taking "some time out" and enjoying his own time which means he now has "a clearer idea" of what he is looking for. Reflecting on his experience on season one of the show, he said: "I didn't think I'd find a connection actually going on. The connection Nat and I had was a very genuine one.

READ MORE: ITV My Mum, Your Dad's Paul addresses split with season one star - as he makes return

"The experience taught me to open up a lot more about my feelings, whereas beforehand I tended to bury things. Being in an environment where people are all in the same situation, it makes the whole process of opening up very easy." But his return has divided fans of the ITV show.

When asked why he thought his relationship with Natalie didn't work out, Paul, who owns a decorating company, said: "I think we are just two very different people. When you're in the house it's very much a holiday environment, but when you come out you're back to reality with your jobs, and distance, it adds another layer. I'm so pleased we had the experience together as my time in the retreat in S1 wouldn't have been the same without her."

The 47-year-old contestant also said that during the first season of the show, he was out of his comfort zone, as he recalled that during his first date with Monique, he couldn't get a word out. But he said this is going to change as he appears in the second season as he explained: "Going in a second time, I felt more relaxed and able to be my confident self. The main thing I learnt was to be as open as possible."

Talking about what he is looking for in a relationship, Paul said: "I've met some really lovely people, but because I have felt love very deeply before, I don't want anything other than that feeling again and unfortunately I haven't yet found that. Now I've had that and experienced it once, I won't settle for anything else."

Paul's daughter Mazey, 22, said she was happy to return to the show as the first season was "so much fun" and also added it was "nice to see dad grow within himself" and now she is glad "he was able to pick up where he left off." The university graduate said she also thinks her dad has "a lot of trust" in her on the second season, adding that getting advice from his own daughter is "more meaningful" than getting it from a dating expert.

And she said she has also given her dad a few useful tips for the second season of the show, explaining: "I said to be more open to everything - meeting people, activities and the workshops. I wanted him to dig deep." She also said she hopes her dad will be "more emotionally available and work out in his head exactly what he wants."

Mazey said that on the first season of the just she "just got to spy on dad" but this time around she promises there will be "a few surprises" which she said "made all the difference." Paul's daughter also spoke positively about meeting her fellow adult kids as she explained they "all got really close straight away."

She added: "I was quite scared this time coming in as a later arrival walking into a new group! But everyone was so nice and we all got on so well. I was so lucky with both series of the show, it was so much fun."

The reality show follows a group of single parents who have been nominated by their children for a second chance at love. The parents live together at a country house retreat with the goal of finding true love - and as they spend time in the house, their kids are watching every move from a nearby location.

My Mum, Your Dad continues tomorrow 9pm, on ITV1 and STV. The first 5 episodes are also available to stream on ITVX and STV player now.

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