As a contestant in a new TV show, Darren Harding had to impress his dream girl's mum and dad before he had even met her.

Brave Darren, 22, had to move in with a mystery girl's parents to win their permission to date her.

When he thought things could not get any worse, Darren's stay was constantly interrupted by friends and family determined to dish the dirt on his sex life.

On one occasion, an ex-girlfriend knocked on the door during breakfast to spill the beans about their six-month relationship.

Another time, his own mum sent a video message about a one-night stand he once had while friends added to his difficulties by revealing even more embarrassing facts.

Darren, of Ryecroft, Haywards Heath, was competing against two other men as part of Meet My Folks, a new series to be shown on BBC1 this month.

The idea of the show is for contestants to impress the parents of a prospective date despite the revelations of the people who know them best.

Darren was told about the show by a work colleague at the David Lloyd gym in Brighton Marina.

He rang up the producers and was invited to an audition in London. Two days later he was offered a place.

Darren moved into the Devon home of Stephanie Payne and her parents David and Sue for two nights shortly before Christmas last year.

He said: "When I arrived at the house I was welcomed in by Stephanie's dad David. I was petrified and was having serious second thoughts.

"But when I walked into the lounge and saw Stephanie sitting there I knew I had to stick at it. She was a beautiful girl."

Darren, who works as a personal trainer instructor, remains tight-lipped about the outcome of the show but said his stay with the Paynes was an agonising two days.

He said: "I was embarrassed to hell. Every now and then there would be surprises, like knocks on the door or faxes coming through. You had no idea what it was about and it was truly terrifying.

"One of the worst surprises was having to do a lie detector test in front of Stephanie's dad. I was asked very personal questions and it was very embarrassing."

The winner of the show will be treated to a skiing holiday with Stephanie.

The episode involving Darren is due to be screened on BBC1 on Saturday July 5.