The Real Love Boat: meet the cast

10’s new dating series The Real Love Boat sets sail tonight as singles pursue romance on the Mediterranean Sea.

Travelling on the Regal Princess around Spain, Greece, France, Italy, Turkey and Montenegro, they will face destination dates, captain’s dinners, surprise singles and eliminations in port.

Come aboard, we’re expecting you…

Captain Paolo Arrigo

Darren McMullen, Host

Darren spent the first half of his life in Scotland and immigrated to Australia at age 12. His career started at MTV, where he both hosted and acted in shows that he helped create. His first adventure into prime time, network television, came as the host of the quirky and irreverent game show Minute To Win It in Australia; a show that would later catapult his career into the UK, when he was asked to host the local version for ITV. Darren’s quick wit and sharp comedic timing made him a perfect fit to host BBC1’s Saturday night, live show The Magicians. His breakout role in America was on NBC’s primetime Love in the Wild. McMullen has also been host of The Voice and The Voice Kids in Australia over five seasons with coaches such as Ricky Martin, Seal, Kylie Minogue, Keith Urban, Mel B and Will.I.Am. In 2014, McMullen joined the star-studded cast of House Husbands, one of Australia’s top rating dramas. Darren played the much-loved character of Alex Larden, who explored some very topical issues on the show, including gay marriage and surrogacy. Darren relocated back to Sydney from Los Angeles in 2019 and starred in a lead role on Nine’s award-winning series SeaChange: Reimagined. In 2020, Darren re-joined Nine’s singing juggernaut The Voice as a co-host alongside Renee Bargh and returning judges Guy Sebastian, Delta Goodrem, Boy George and Kelly Rowland. In 2021, he scored the leading role in Stan’s hit leading romantic comedy, Christmas on the Farm, staring alongside Poppy Montgomery and Hugh Sheridan. In 2022, McMullen competed on the sixth season of The Celebrity Apprentice Australia. He finished the series as the runner-up, raising over $500,000 for his chosen charity, Feel the Magic.

Hannah Ferrier, Cruise Director.

Hannah Ferrier sailed onto our screens back in 2016, leading the cast on Below Deck, Mediterranean! As chief stewardess, Hannah managed the demands of elite passengers and a needy crew week after week. Delivering not just for charter guests but viewers at home. Hannah quickly became a favourite and continued to steal the show for an epic five seasons. Delivering ratings success year on year, Hannah won fans thanks to her witty banter and sassy one liners. The show has now been syndicated from its Bravo home in the US to Foxtel in Australia, E4 in the UK and internationally on Netflix and Hayu. Exiting the show in season five, her departure episode is the highest rated in the franchise’s history and marked a new adventure for the ever-popular Hannah. Post Below Deck, Mediterranean!, Hannah returned to her hometown of Sydney. Jumping into new projects she started yacht training academy, Ocean International, and launched podcast Dear Reality, You’re Effed. If that wasn’t enough, she welcomed daughter Ava during the Coronavirus pandemic and married husband Josh soon after. The Real Love Boat will see Hannah transition from cast member to host on this brand-new reality format.

Daniel Doody, Head of Entertainment.

Affectionately known as “Doody” or “Doods”, Daniel Doody burst onto 10’s screen as Studio 10’s charismatic, fun-loving roving reporter, who is always looking for the next feel-good story to pep up your morning. Whether it’s climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, jumping off a boat in Geelong Harbour or attempting to milk a goat on live TV, Doody’s warm spirit and kind heart has gone beyond the screen and into the hearts of Aussie viewers. As a qualified journalist and dedicated SES volunteer, Doody worked on ground, capturing and reporting on the devastating bushfires of 2019 and 2020 in Bega, on the far south coast of New South Wales for the ABC. Prior to his journalism career, Doody sailed the seas as an entertainer aboard European cruise ships. It was here that he met his now wife, Joanne. Given his own lived experience in finding love on the high seas, it was a no-brainer for Doody to join The Real Love Boat as Head of Entertainment, delivering memorable experiences while fostering the emotional connections formed with the singles on board. Away from the cameras, Doody is a family man spending most weekends with his wife Joanne and sons Reggie and Arlo.

Ben Milne, 30, Queensland

After spending many years overseas, Ben has returned to Queensland, and is now on the search for love. A wellbeing coach and speaker, he is no stranger to good conversation, and is looking for a partner with ambition, confidence, and someone who is comfortable in her own skin and can laugh at herself. Ben has been in long term relationships in the past, and is looking to board The Real Love Boat for an experience like no other. Ben thinks he can offer his potential partner fun times, adventure and loyalty, but fears his honesty may deter his dates. He says, “what you see is what you get!” when referring to his personality. Ben is looking for a partner to enjoy life’s simple pleasures with. Will he find his match on The Real Love Boat?

Chris Antos, 29, ACT

Born and raised in Canberra, Chris describes himself as fun, hardworking, cheeky, flirty, and caring. He believes he is in the stage of his life where he is ready to find love and make a commitment to someone. He has recently purchased his first home, has a beautiful dog, and would love to share his life with a partner. Chris is a director of his real estate agency. For a while, he has prioritised his career, which he believes is the reason he’s still single and why his last relationship ended. He can be a workaholic at times. Chris identifies as bisexual, and he finds that he struggles to put himself out there as he is worried about how a potential partner will take this information. To avoid the possible rejection, he says he just doesn’t try. Will he board The Real Love Boat with a change of approach?

Dalton Ford, 27, Queensland

Dalton is still trying to find that one special connection and is hoping The Real Love Boat will hold his true love. He believes he has a lot to offer a potential partner, including being loving, caring, and supportive in all aspects of life. With his charming and positive demeanour, Dalton can also be a bit cheeky, and will always bring you home (too many) donuts when you are having a bad day! Dalton says his dream date would have an amazing beach view, while watching the sun go down, while enjoying good music and a bottle of sparkling. Will he have the chance to do this on The Real Love Boat?

Daniel Goodburn, 25, Queensland

Daniel is a distillery manager from the Gold Coast and is on the search for true love. He describes himself as loyal, honest, funny, energetic and kind, and he is looking for someone who holds similar qualities. He would love a partner who is driven, patient and family oriented. Daniel has been in two relationships in the past, and he is ready for the next stage in his love life. He feels he has a lot to offer a potential partner, including the services of being a big and tall man. He can reach things in high places, is a go-to jar opener and can break out into spontaneous interpretive dance routines. He is turned off by rudeness, those that act entitled and “those people that just generally make you want to stick a fork in your eye.” Daniel is boarding The Real Love Boat for the experience of a lifetime, and to find lasting love.

Harley  Anderson, 23, Queensland

Harley is a positive, humble and caring person from Echucha, Victoria. He is multi-skilled across his occupations of personal training, being a physiotherapist assistant and a finance broker. Harley and his twin brother, Jesse, have signed up for The Real Love Boat for a once in a lifetime opportunity to find love. Although Harley has been in a previous long-term relationship, he is ready to open a new chapter in his life. He is willing to do anything to make his potential partner happy, and one of his most important values is respect. Will Harley find love?

Jack Kane, 34, NSW

Jack is a 34-year-old carpenter who is ready to go on the adventure of a lifetime. He has opened and closed a few chapters in his life – from growing up in the UK, moving to Australia, falling in love with previous partners, and now setting sail on The Real Love Boat. He has chosen to remain single following past relationships but is now ready to board and find his perfect match. Jack has a lot to give a potential partner, and he says he can offer them real love and a lot of honesty. Will Jack sink or swim into love?

Jay Bonnell, 30, NSW

Jay is ready to make the next step in his love life. A single dad of a young daughter, Jay is a social enterprise manager living in Wollongong and is originally from Campbelltown in Sydney’s West. He thinks he has lots to offer his potential partner and is looking for someone with the qualities he also sees in himself. He loves a confident person, and someone who is sentimental, determined, adventurous and fun. He puts it simply down to timing on why he is still single, but he thinks his soft, loving side makes him the ultimate catch for an interested lady. Jay is looking to board The Real Love Boat to find his perfect match, and to experience the journey of a lifetime.

Jesse Anderson 23, Victoria

Jesse is a carpenter, who was born in Melbourne and moved to country Victoria where he currently resides. Along with his twin brother Harley, Jesse is hoping to board The Real Love Boat to try and find love, as well as to experience something adventurous. Jesse says it is hard to find love in a small town but he is ready to take the big leap to find his match. He looks for particular qualities in a potential partner, such as respect, care and kindness, and is attracted to someone who treats everyone equally. He is looking forward to being pushed out of his comfort zone, but will he sink or swim?

Josh Hack, 28 NSW

Josh, an adventure co-ordinator from Tweed Heads, is looking to board The Real Love Boat to find true love. He thinks the ultimate catch is super cute, playful, funny, and lovable. He also is attracted to women who are big foodies and have good taste in music. Josh has a confident and daring personality, and his dream date would be something adventurous, anything with yummy food, or any art-like activity. However, he does fear his high energy personality traits may make a potential partner run the other way. Josh knows what he wants and deserves in a relationship, and says he is still single as he is very picky. He is hoping The Real Love Boat will help him find his perfect bold and fun match!

Keanu Moore, 26, NSW

Keanu is ready to make some memories and find love. A disability support worker, Keanu is patient, charming and a little bit cheeky. He grew up in Tamworth, but now lives in Newcastle, New South Wales. He is always up for a good time, and his perfect partner will be able to give and take banter and won’t be “boring”! Although he is committed when in a relationship, Keanu says he still loves receiving attention from other girls, which he thinks might make his potential partner run the other way. Keanu has been in love once, and describes it as a nice, warm but weird feeling. Will he experience this love again onboard The Real Love Boat.

Paddy Hughes, 27, NSW

Paddy, originally from Bondi Beach, is a chef and ready to cook up some love! He is creative, enthusiastic, and says he can offer emotional maturity and communication in a relationship. Paddy has been in love before, and explains that it is the most incredible and powerful feeling that can do great things to people. Will he find it again on The Real Love Boat? Paddy is passionate about finding balance in life. He can take care of himself, but also understands his potential partner’s needs and desires. He says he comes with a positive, uplifting, motivating and supportive mind-state – plus, who doesn’t want their own personal chef?!

Paul Antoine 28, Western Australia

Paul is originally from France. He was born in Nice and then grew up in a smaller town called Villefranche sur Mer. He is looking to join The Real Love Boat as he has a taste for adventure and experiencing new things. He is excited to see if he can make a strong connection and find true love.In a potential partner, Paul looks for certain qualities, but what is most important to him is a down to earth nature, and someone who is beautiful on the inside and out. He is attracted to authenticity, and people with warm personalities. Paul is clean and organised, is a great cook, and can speak French – but is this enough to find his perfect match?

Chelsea Murray, 28 Queensland

Chelsea, who owns her own hairdresser salon, grew up in Adelaide but has been in Brisbane for the last three years. She is quirky, fun, non-judgemental and is looking for her soul mate. She is hoping to board The Real Love Boat, as she loves spontaneous adventures and was struggling to find someone who was likeminded, but also had emotional intelligence and depth. Chelsea believes she has a lot to offer a potential partner. She is understanding, caring and giving. She says the right person who is emotionally mature enough to be able to accept that kind of love will be treated like a king, but it must be vice-versa.

Courtney Justin, 25, Victoria

Courtney, a functions manager, grew up in Victoria and is ready to find love and anchor down. Courtney is hoping to find someone who wants the same things in life as her, such as a house, marriage, and children. She is eager to go through all the ups and downs in life together in a partnership, and she says no mountain is too big for her to move for her potential suitor. Although she can be stubborn, she has a kind, sensitive soul and knows how to have a fun time! Courtney is also a massive dog lover and describes herself as a big empath. Will The Real Love Boat help her find her perfect person?

Katie Langford, 25, Queensland

Katie, an event co-ordinator who has grown up in the areas of Rockhampton and Yeppoon, is joining The Real Love Boat as she thought it would be an exciting way to meet new people. Katie feels she has a lot to offer her potential partner, from support, to laughs and fun times. Although she is direct, she is caring, and is ready for the next stage in her love life. She is outgoing, bubbly, friendly, goofy and down to earth. She knows what she wants in a partner, as well as her turn offs. She does not value arrogance, a lack of intentions, liars and those who are not supportive. She is ready to find her perfect partner – to make the ultimate team.

Mikaila Norman, 25, Queensland

Mikaila was born and raised in the Whitsundays, Queensland, and now lives on the Gold Coast. She is independent, driven, adventurous, loyal and kind, and she is looking to find the perfect other half to match this. Mikaila thinks she is still single as she just hasn’t settled yet, but also, she is confident in what she is looking for now. She has to feel 100% in the relationship, and she feels she hasn’t found the man that is “IT” yet. She believes she can offer care and empathy to a future partner, and she is passionate about uplifting them, and challenging them. She can be quite outspoken, and she hopes this doesn’t turn any men off. But she refuses to tolerate any foolishness.

Moana Berryman, 26, Queensland

Moana is ready to experience a once in a lifetime opportunity to find love. Although her celebrity crush is Chris Hemsworth, Moana is looking for any man who is true to themselves 100% of the time, someone who is nice, respectful and wants to treat their partner like a queen! Moana is someone that always wants her partner to be the best version of themselves, and she feels like she can elevate them to feel at their greatest. She says she is single as she needed to find herself again and build a better foundation for her life, before giving her love to someone else. She is ready for her next step in her life and is excited to find her perfect match on The Real Love Boat.

Naomi Tibbles, 28, Queensland

Naomi, a bold and courageous business manager, grew up in the Western Suburbs of Sydney and now lives on the Gold Coast. She is chasing romance and is hoping some love can bloom on The Real Love Boat. She is looking for someone that holds qualities similar to her own values, which include honesty, a great amount of communication, loyalty and adventure. Her perfect match will likely be silly sometimes, and will be into self-development. Naomi feels she has a lot to offer her potential partner, and says any man would be happier with a little Naomi in their life!

Sally Geach, 31, Western Australia

Sally, a Perth local, is a wedding dress designer who is ready to take the big leap into love! A single mum, she puts her family first, and is looking to find her gentle and loyal match. She enjoys peace and time to herself, which she does put down to why she could be still single. She has not found the right guy following her previous relationship, as she keeps strong to her deal breakers. Her potential suitor needs to be good with kids, must be trustworthy and should never speak down to her. Sally is very confident in who she is and is a strong woman and mum. Sally is hoping to find her other half on board, whether that be through dream destination dates or love at first sight!

Sara Thaiday, 24, Queensland

Sari is all about living while you’re young and being in the moment. She is confident, direct, and strives to take every opportunity that she can. In a partner, she is looking for someone who puts family first, is politically driven and is caring. She believes she is still single as she knows what she wants in a relationship. She is strong minded and passionate and hopes her big mouth doesn’t deter a potential suitor! Although Sari has not been in love before, she is in love with the idea of love, and she is hoping The Real Love Boat will help her find it!

Tyler Grayling, 23, NSW

Tyler is an accomplished digital strategist from Sydney. She describes herself as “chronically single” and is very much looking to mingle as she has never been on a date. But will this change on The Real Love Boat? Tyler is high energy, and she says she is dorky and loud. She is hoping to find someone to match her vibe, through dream dates such as mini-golf or go-karting. She fears her talkative nature and inexperience in dating will deter others from falling for her, but she hopes her fun personality will overshadow this. She thinks she is the ultimate catch, not only is she intelligent and entertaining, but she just knows her potential suitor’s mum will love her!

7:30pm Wednesday & Thursday on 10.