AN IPSWICH man will be declared the weakest link in front of thousands today when he is the first to be voted off the hit TV show.Dee Patel, of Forester Close, took part in BBC 2's The Weakest Link last August and the show will finally be broadcast tonight.

AN IPSWICH man will be declared the weakest link in front of thousands today when he is the first to be voted off the hit TV show.

Dee Patel, of Forester Close, took part in BBC 2's The Weakest Link last August and the show will finally be broadcast tonight.

Hundreds of Mr Patel's friends and family are expected to tune in to see how the 38-year-old got on.

And, though the father of two is embarrassed he fell at the first hurdle, he said the experience was totally worthwhile because romance blossomed in the green room.

Sparks flew between Mr Patel and fellow contestant Tracy Evans and the pair have been in regular contact ever since.

Mr Patel has even travelled to Devon to meet up with his new beau.

He said: "I didn't know I was going to meet someone like Tracy and it was worth going just for that.

"We talk every night and text each other before we go to sleep.

"I went in the first round but I didn't mind because I had said to Tracy we should go out first and second and then we could have more time together back stage."

And 19-year-old Miss Evans was the next to be voted off the game, failing to identify whether a gynaecologist treated men or women.

Mr Patel's said nerves were to blame for his quick exit from the show – his hiccup came when he was quizzed about champagne.

He added: "When Anne came out and they started filming it was nerve wracking.

"You can only speak when the light shines on you and I was focusing on that so much I didn't realise what was happening.

"When the camera came round to me I was so busy focusing on the light I can't even tell you what question she asked me. The only thing I heard her say was Timothy. I looked at Anne and I just said Timothy and that was the right answer.

"The next question was 'what do you call a dry champagne' the answer was brut and I said sweet. As soon as I said it I knew it was wrong.

"Then I thought I was going to be out first and then I started to relax."

Mr Patel was unlucky to become the first weakest link as the vote was tied between him and another contestant.

But the strongest link chose him and his 15 minutes of fame came to an abrupt end.

Mr Patel is now hoping he can attract the cameras again when he runs the London Marathon in the summer.

He is attempting to raise £2,000 for Visually Impaired Children Taking Action (VICTA).

Anyone wishing to sponsor Mr Patel should call him at Select Cards in the Buttermarket, Ipswich on 01473 287217.