First Dates star finds long-lost sister instead of new boyfriend
'I am so grateful she has come into my life.'
A First Dates star ended up with more than she bargained for after appearing on the Channel 4 programme.
Katie Kumar appeared on the teen spin-off of the hit dating show in 2021 to meet a new boyfriend but instead, she found her long-lost sister.
On First Dates, the hair stylist explained she had been adopted by her then-foster mother as her biological parents were ‘unable to care’ for her.
She also said that ‘her father was from Afghanistan and her mother was white’ and she was from Birmingham, details that sent a lightning rod through her sister Louise.
Louise – who ‘never’ watches TV – happened to stumble across Katie’s episode of First Dates and realised they had the same background.
On TikTok, Katie shared Louise’s DM, which began: ‘I know this is so random but I won’t forgive myself. If I don’t find the answer.’
Katie’s long-lost sister contacted her after seeing her on First Dates (Picture: TikTok/katiekumarr)After explaining the similarities in their upbringing, Louise said: ‘I know you’re probably not even my sister and you probably won’t answer this message but it’s worth asking because what are the chances.’
Katie said the message took her by ‘complete surprise’ – particularly when they both learned their biological mothers had the same name.
She said they were both aware they had siblings but ‘never thought’ they would be able to find each other and had no idea where even to start.
Katie and Louise later both they were sisters, with Katie saying she’s now ‘so grateful’ that they are in each other’s lives.
She wrote on TikTok: ‘The moral of this story and the reason why I am sharing this is that you never know who is watching.
Katie’s sister noted they had the same background (Picture: Channel 4 / First Dates)‘I would’ve carried on my life never knowing fully how important this was to me. We get on so effortlessly, we share the same interests and I am so grateful she has come into my life.
‘I am so lucky to be able to have another sister and be able to share my life with her.’
Katie was overwhelmed with messages on TikTok, with Hannah Dunn among them saying: ‘You went on the show to find love and found love in its most powerful form. I’m so happy for you and your sister.’
Echoing their sentiment, Ola Zainab shared: ‘My heart. I’m so happy for you both.’
Melissa Dixon wrote: ‘Sobbing my adopted sister found us on Instagram in 2020 when she was 12.’
First Date has been on air for more than a decade (Picture: Channel 4)Nicole_51274 added: ‘I got goosebumps reading this I’ve never been happier for a stranger.’
First Dates has aired on Channel 4 for more than a decade, first coming to screens in 2013.
It stars the likes of Fred Sirieix who is the matire d’ and welcomes in singletons into the restaurant who are hoping to find love.
First Dates is available to stream on Channel 4.
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