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A man from Longridge has starred in a popular Netflix show, Love Is Blind UK.
This season’s first-instalment was released on the 7 August. It follows a group singles trying to find a match and fall in love, without ever seeing each other face to face, until after they have proposed.
Benaiah, 33, a self-confessed ‘nomad’ was born and raised in Longridge before beginning his travels ten years ago. He signed up to the show after being single for over ten years.
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The structural landscaper lived in Ribble Valley town until the age of 23. He still visits his friends and family who live there regularly.
He said: “I love the north. I love it around Preston. It’s just like a little haven.
“It’s kind of like a base that I come back to in between trips and different countries. I try and get back as much as I can really”
A walk in Avenham Park, with a stop at the cafe is one of Benaiah’s favourite things to do in Preston, along with visiting the Brockholes Nature Reserve.
While getting to know other contestants on blind dates, Benaiah declared himself as ‘technically homeless,’ not having a permanent base but travelling around instead. However, he told Blog Preston he would not rule out the idea of settling down in his hometown.
“I have got that community still, like, a lot of friends, good friends and family up there.
“I do like the countryside, especially like near Longridge and around the Ribble Valley, that that’s really nice, and as well, obviously good transport links.
“I can definitely see myself settling back there in a few years time.”
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He quickly became one of the most talked about contestants on social media after becoming involved in a complicated love triangle. However, after a twists and turns he became settled down with 29-year-old Nicole with the couple both saying ‘I do’ at the end of the experiment.
But, Benaiah does not have any regrets about his experience. He added: “I wish we really had a smoother journey. But, things happen for a reason.
“I think even my vows, I said, rough seas make for good sailors. I think our relationship at the time was tested, but I’d rather be tested and see how we can overcome those problems.”
The series was filmed over a year ago, so Benaiah has had to keep everything a secret, even from some of his friends and family, until now.
He said: “There’s some friends and family that don’t know what’s gone on over the past year, I can’t even be open with them. That’s really tough.
“I’m looking forward to everything being out in the open.”
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The reunion episode will be released at 9pm on Monday 26 August, where viewers will find out if Benaiah and Nicole have made their marriage work.
Although he went into the show looking for love, Benaiah also said he has made life-long connections with the others on the experience, describing them as all ‘absolutely brilliant’.
He was off to meet contestant, Freddie, for dinner in Manchester when Blog Preston spoke to him.
Benaiah does not know what his next adventure will be, but travelling is still a huge part of his life. Maybe Preston will be his next destination.
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