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Folkestone: Did Merle find husband number six?
09:57, 10 June 2018
updated: 10:13, 10 June 2018
A great-grandmother from Folkestone appeared on a TV dating show last night, in search of husband number six.
Merle Gibbins, 72, took part in the ITV show Take Me Out which had a special episode for people over 50. She has been married five times but has been a widow for nearly three years after her last husband died.
The dating show, which is hosted by Paddy McGuinness, sees three men come down the 'love lift' to try and impress 30 single ladies, who show if they're interested or not by a light on their stand - if they turn their light off it shows they don't want a date.
If there's a successful match, the couple will 'swap their bus passes for a plane ticket' and be treated to a holiday to the 'Isle of Fernandos' so they can go on a date and get to know one another.
In last night's episode, which is filmed in Maidstone Studios, Ms Gibbins stood out from the other ladies by arriving in a glammed up mobility scooter which was covered in pink glitter and tassels.
When asked by Paddy what type of man she was after, she replied: "Someone with a sense of humor, someone who can make me laugh.
"I've been married five times and now I'm looking for number six."
After recovering from his shock, Paddy called her a 'little minx' before promising to help her find a nice man.
However, it wasn't meant to be.
Three older men arrived down the love lift : George Martini - a zumba instructor from Oxford, Lawrence - a Billy Connolly look-a-like who lives in Ibiza, as well as Bill - a former police officer and now HGV driver from Liverpool.
Although, Ms Gibbins kept her light on for all three men, she didn't get chosen for a date. However, she still claimed the experience was the 'best day of my life'.
Ms Gibbins told the Folkestone and Hythe Express: "I just thought it was time to get out there again.
"It was the first time I've ever been on TV. I'll remember it forever.
"We weren't prompted. It had to be off the top of your head.
"It was the best day of my life. It was an unforgettable experience."