First Dates maitre’d Fred Sirieix said he was made to feel like a ‘second-class citizen’ as he applied for settled status in the UK.
The Channel 4 star, who grew up in Limoges, France, complained that he was asked for proof of residence in the country for five years – despite the fact the UK has been his home for 27.
Sirieix revealed his being asked was a mistake and he has been ultimately granted settled status, but has branded the immigration process a disturbing waste off time.
He also blamed the “Brexit shambles” for the complications.
The TV star wrote on Twitter: “As small as this may seem to some, the whole thing was deeply upsetting and unsettling. I could not find proofs of residency last night and woke up at 4am to check.
“After all these years in the UK it is so wrong to make people feel like second-class citizens.”
After being asked for details about his status in the UK, the issue was resolved, with Sirieix being confirmed as settled.
He continued: “How unnecessary and a total waste of time #settledstatus SO SO SO WRONG.”
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Sirieix has been an outspoken critic of Brexit on social media.
A spokesperson for the Home Office said: “We have contacted Mr Sirieix about his application and he has now been granted settled status.
“Nobody has been granted pre-settled status without first being offered the opportunity to submit evidence that they qualify for settled status.
“EU Settlement Scheme statistics confirm that by the end of June not a single person had been refused.
“EU citizens are our friends, family and neighbours and we want them to stay.”
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