Football supporters were left astonished when former Everton manager Sean Dyche made an unexpected reality TV debut on Thursday evening's E4 dating programme Celebs Go Dating.
The ex-Premier League boss surprised viewers by interrupting a romantic dinner between former Atomic Kitten member Kerry Katona and personal trainer Paolo Margaglione.
His unannounced arrival at the restaurant caught both the 44-year-old singer and programme narrator Rob Beckett off-guard.
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The comedian expressed his disbelief at witnessing the 54-year-old's presence on the dating show.
Fans were shocked to see Sean Dyche appear on on the TV show Celebs Go Dating
|Channel 4
The football manager approached Katona's table during her date, greeting the pair warmly.
"Oh hello, how are you? How's it going?" Dyche asked as he approached, prompting laughter from Kerry Katona.
Rob Beckett's voiceover captured the moment's absurdity: "Hold on, who's this bloke? Surely not, that's ex-Everton, Watford and Burnley manager Sean Dyche!"
The pair shared an intimate hug while Paolo Margaglione sat at the other side of the table
|Channel 4
"You're dating these northerners now are ya?" Dyche quipped, gesturing towards Margaglione.
"Yeah! I thought you were going to ask me on a date then! I'm doing well!" Kerry Katona responded enthusiastically.
After exchanging pleasantries and shaking hands with Paolo, Dyche departed with a kiss on Kerry Katona's cheek, leaving Beckett to remark: "Well that wasn't weird in the slightest was it?"
Fans were left stunned by the appearance, with one viewer writing on social media platform X: "Well I never!?! I bet that was on none of your bingo cards for this year for sure!"
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Another questioned: "Why is Sean Dyche on celebs go dating?"
The former Burnley boss has remained unemployed following his departure from Goodison Park earlier this year.
His nine-month hiatus from management has involved spending quality time with his wife Jane and their two children, whilst enjoying holidays and socialising with friends.
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Why is Sean Dyche on celebs go dating 😂
— No Context Prem (@NoContextEPL) August 22, 2025
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Despite speculation linking him with Leicester City during the summer, the 54-year-old dismissed such reports as "absolute nonsense" in a recent interview.
Katona appeared on the dating programme following her separation from partner Ryan Mahoney in November, which concluded their six-year romance.
Writing in her OK! magazine column, she disclosed that trust had been broken between them, though she refrained from providing specific details.
"I never in a million years thought this would happen," she revealed, acknowledging the emotional toll whilst expressing uncertainty about reconciliation possibilities.
The mother-of-five joins fellow celebrities including Christine McGuinness, Louis Russell, Olivia Hawkins and Mark Labbett in seeking romance on the current series.
Wednesday's episode featured an uncomfortable double date involving Katona and S Club performer Jon Lee.