A BARBER says he came within a hair's breadth of bagging himself a second date with a celebrity.

Lee Felton, of Warrington Road, Leigh, served up a menu of three courses for The Real Housewives of Cheshire star Ester Dee in an episode of TV series Celebrity Dinner Dates.

The 35-year-old dad-of-one, who has been single for seven years, made the shortlist of three out of five menus that were presented to Ester at the top of the show.

Former Bedford High School pupil Lee also appeared on Channel 4 hit reality programme First Dates two years ago in his quest to find love.

Lee, who was unaware of Ester's celebrity status during the show, said: "The date went really well I think.

"When I applied I was told it was a special date but I didn't know it was going to be with a celebrity.

"Ester wanted to pick me for her second date but I was not available the day after so I was a bit gutted about that."

Lee, who said on the programme that it was the first time he had ever cooked for anyone, prepared a starter of deep fried mozzarella with a spicy dipping sauce.

He served up a main of Mediterranean pasta bake with garlic bread before following that up with a dessert of chocolate fudge.

In the kitchen during the show, where he updated viewers on how his date was going, he was happy that there had been "no silent moment".

Topics of conversation during the date included Lee's mum's desire for her son to find a girlfriend and move out as well as the meaning of tattoos he has on his body.

After leaving Lee's home, Estee said she had a "fantastic" time because of the "company" and the standard of food.

Unfortunately for Lee, Ester selected Reese, one of the other finalists, to join her for a second date in a high-quality restaurant, and he had to make do with a microwave meal that evening.

Lee, who studied at the Manchester School of Acting and has worked as an extra on Hollyoaks and Emmerdale, is now thinking about applying to appear on other reality TV shows.

Celebrity Dinner Dates is screened on Wednesdays on ITVBe at 8pm.