Podcast Summary: What's the Reality?

Episode: From Love Is Blind UK to Perfect Match: Freddie Powell Reflects
Date: August 27, 2025
Host: AD (Love Is Blind’s AD)
Guest: Freddie Powell (Love Is Blind UK S1, Perfect Match)

Overview

This episode features a heartfelt and witty conversation between host AD and guest Freddie Powell, known from Love Is Blind UK and Perfect Match. Freddie opens up about life after reality TV, advocating for Down Syndrome, the challenges of dating, and what reality television taught him—plus plenty of UK/US banter and culture “translation.” The episode strikes a balance between deep insights into relationships and a playful dissection of reality TV life.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Freddie’s Life Post-Reality TV

• Returning to “normal life”: Freddie describes slipping back into his job as a funeral director and focusing on family and friends.

  “Just back to normal life for me. ... Funeral, directing, working, friends, family. Just the norm, really. Nothing out of the ordinary.” (01:52)

• Handling the public’s reaction to his profession:

  “The reaction I was getting when I was saying ‘funeral director’ was wild. Like, people were saying, ‘Oh my God, you’re a funeral…?’ What, like, getting put off by it.” (04:49)

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for Down Syndrome Association

• Motivation and mental challenge: Freddie discusses fundraising for the Down Syndrome Association in honor of his brother Jack.

  “Kilimanjaro… I just thought, okay, it’s gonna be hard... What I was not prepared for was just how mentally challenging it was.” (06:04-06:49)

• Takeaway from the experience:

  “What carried me through, right, is that knowing that people had donated and like, giving me like, amazing messages and obviously, my brother.” (08:16)

• The “why” behind his advocacy:

  “I wanted to use that platform to do something good, and that was my main focus.” (09:42)

The Love Is Blind UK Experience

• Auditioning by chance:

  “It was never my intention to go on a TV show… It came up Love Is Blind UK casting now, right. And this was only two weeks after I broke up with my ex, right?... So I just pressed apply.” (10:21-11:34)

• Getting engaged but saying no at the altar:

  “Anyone who’s seen the series will know that was very difficult… it was very hard… I felt like I was transparent throughout the relationship… my family and friends didn’t know what I was going to say.” (12:48-14:09)

• Responding to ex-partner Catherine’s claim that he was “different off camera”:

  “If she feels that way, then she has the right to feel that way. But personally, I’m just me, so.” (14:42)

• On Catherine dating castmate Jake:

  “I was kind of…obviously, I was upset at the time to an extent, just because it felt a bit close to home, so to speak. But no, I was happy for her.” (15:29)

Relationships with Castmates

• Friendships maintained:

  “I love everyone, yeah.” (16:34)

• Special bond with Ollie:

  “When I got there…seeing Ollie there and I was like, what? I was so happy.” (17:17-17:30)

Transition from Love Is Blind to Perfect Match

• Adapting to more reality TV:

  “When I was casted for Perfect Match, I’ll be very honest, I didn’t know what the show was… I googled it and stuff because in the UK… it’s definitely growing.” (18:26-19:14)

• Reasons for participating:

  “The reason I’m there is so hopefully I find somebody. Yeah. So I was very clear in that.” (19:19)

• Skills transferred:

  “Definitely helped in that respect. Like, I didn’t feel uncomfortable anymore.” (20:10)

In the Perfect Match Villa

• First impressions:

  “I thought everyone was really attractive. I was like, oh my God, I’m so out of place.” (22:16)

• Connection with Madison:

  “Our connection was really good. And with me, she was lovely and really kind to me and caring, supportive with… me.” (25:48-26:03)

• On exploring other connections:

  “I’d already started developing a connection with Madison.” (26:20)

• Long distance as a challenge:

  “The distance was an issue that was in the back of my mind… I don’t want to leave Manchester, my family’s there, my brother’s there…” (26:37)

• What happened after being “snatched out” of the villa:

  “I was hopeful I wasn’t done, but I didn’t know.” (30:37)

Post-Show Reflections

• End of relationship with Madison:

  “We stayed in contact for a brief period… it just became apparent that maybe it wasn’t kind of for me, it wasn’t something that I wanted to sort of pursue… But I was just being… I had to sort of express my feelings…” (31:18-32:15)

• Current status:

  “Yes, I am single... Since then, I’ve not really kind of been interested…” (34:03)

• Would Freddie do more reality TV?

  “If the pros outweigh the cons, then of course. ... I am a very competitive person.” (49:05, 49:43)

Reflections on Reality TV and Dating

• Biggest takeaways from Perfect Match:

  “Don’t take life too seriously. ... There’s nothing wrong with having a bit of fun, let your hair down and be yourself. ... Just do what makes you happy, as long as you’re not upsetting other people.” (36:54-37:51)

• How reality TV changed his outlook:

  “It’s made me kind of more aware about myself and relationships and what I want in a person.” (50:00)

• Navigating dating post-TV:

  “It does make me worried to an extent now, like, how do I know this person I’m going to meet is interested in me for me as a person.” (50:56)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On experiencing the unexplainable as a funeral director:

  “I know there is something that defies science. But I don’t know whether it’s an afterlife… But there is most definitely something that we can’t explain.” (03:36)

• Freddie’s deadpan humor on his job:

  “Most of them think I’m probably gonna, like... bury them. ... No, I’m not gonna do that. That’s later on in the relationship if you get nasty.” (04:40-05:10)

• On US/UK food rivalry:

  AD: “We’ve got better food.”
  Freddie: “That’s a joke. It’s not a joke… Beans on toast.”

• Playing UK/US slang game:

  Freddie: “No cap.”
  AD: “That was good. You should implement that. That came off your tongue really smooth!” (44:47-44:52)

• How to spot a “piss take":

  “We use the word ‘piss’ for everything… Taking the piss, going for a piss, you’re a piss taker…” (47:45-48:07)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:52] Freddie talks about normal life post-Perfect Match
• [06:04] Details about the Kilimanjaro charity climb and its mental challenge
• [10:21-11:34] The unplanned path to Love Is Blind UK
• [12:48] Saying “no” at the altar on Love Is Blind UK
• [14:42] Responding to Catherine’s “different off camera” comments
• [17:17-17:30] Reunion with Ollie on Perfect Match
• [18:26-19:14] Discovering and joining Perfect Match
• [22:16] First impressions of the Perfect Match villa cast
• [26:37] On not wanting to leave Manchester/family and the relationship's distance challenge
• [31:18-32:15] What happened after the show with Madison
• [34:03] Current relationship status
• [36:54-37:51] Biggest takeaways from Perfect Match
• [49:05, 49:43] Would Freddie do more reality TV?
• [50:00] How reality TV changed Freddie

Tone, Style & Final Thoughts

The conversation is candid and filled with self-deprecating British humor, with AD matching Freddie’s wit and warmth. Both hosts and guest break down the reality TV experience with refreshing honesty, discussing the highs (genuine friendships, self-growth, fun) and challenges (relationships under a microscope, trust, and dating difficulties after fame). The episode is full of friendly banter about British and American culture, with a particularly entertaining UK vs. US slang segment.

Memorable closing from Freddie:

“Don’t take life too seriously ... just do what makes you happy, as long as you’re not upsetting other people.” (36:54-37:51)

For Listeners

This episode is perfect for fans of Love Is Blind, Perfect Match, and the reality TV/dating genre. It also appeals to anyone interested in the real-life aftermath of reality TV and the heartfelt journeys behind the screen. Expect lots of laughs, honest reflections, and a warm, inviting vibe from both AD and Freddie.