First Dates’ Laura Tott swaps reality TV for paramedic job on NHS frontline

First Dates star Laura Tott has opened up about her second job saving lives on the frontline in Stoke-on-Trent.

The 27-year-old is a familiar face as one of the waitresses serving coupled-up singletons on the popular Channel 4 reality dating show. It couldn’t be more different from her full-time job working busy 12-hour shifts as a paramedic for West Midlands Ambulance Service covering the North Staffordshire area.

Laura completed three years of training to become a fully registered with her first shift in August 2019 alongside her TV role, reports the Stoke Sentinel.

Taking to Twitter, Laura said: “I DID IT! I’m a registered paramedic. Tonight marks my first shift as a paramedic.

“Wanted to do this for as long as I can remember. Never been so excited/nervous.”

She has even relocated to Stoke-on-Trent from her parents’ home in Surrey.

And because of her work in the Covid-19 pandemic, Laura has been unable to film the latest series although she stays in touch with the rest of the staff on WhatsApp.

It was during the first wave that Laura contracted coronavirus herself.

In a post to her fans on social media, Laura explained why she had been out of action for a while.

She wrote on Instagram : “So after developing symptoms I’ve just tested positive for Covid-19. I’m OK, just feel like I’ve got a horrible cold.

“Today’s been a weird one, kinda knew I had contracted it but actually hearing the word ‘positive’ threw me a little.

“I know I’ve been quieter on social media recently but I’ve felt like absolute rubbish. Never had any form of flu before so I’m not handling it well. Never slept so much!

“Just wanna thank every single person who is staying in their house and doing their bit still, let’s all beat this Rona b****. Just wanna say that I am ok, just feels like a really bad cold.”

Laura, who used to be a member of the Royal Navy and has travelled the world extensively, also wanted to let people know about her symptoms, which did not fit in with the much-publicised fever and cough.

She wrote: “So I’m one of the lucky ones. Wanna spread awareness, My first symptoms were complete loss of taste and smell, and then felt like I had sinusitis, I think these symptoms need to be taken way more seriously.

“I had no cough or fever at first, and still have no cough now. Stay safe and well everyone!”

Laura regularly updates her social media followers about the battle against Covid-19.

In one post she praised the Clap for Carers, where the public gave a rousing applause to NHS staff and key workers at the height of the pandemic.

She wrote: “That applause last night was unbelievable. Something I’ll never forget. Even brought a tear to my eye! Thank you, and you to every member of the NHS.

“Thank you to the delivery drivers, the other emergency services, the carers, the shop workers, the PT’s offering home workouts, and every other key worker out there. Never known kindness like the last couple of weeks.”

In another post, she said: “The more awareness the more chance we have of beating this (Virus emoji) Not everyone that catches this dies, I know it’s worrying but remember how many people have survived this.”

First Dates first aired in June 2013 and the staff including Laura do not work full time, just when the series is being shot.

Laura secured the role after a friend who worked in TV sent an email on her behalf.

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