Sitting down for dinner with 70-year-old detective, Alistair, Maggie appeared confident, relaxed, and well within her element. And, when her date probed her about her past, the violinist said confidingly: “Some years ago, I was working as an international secretary out in the Middle East.”

Noting his surprise, Maggie wryly added: “I had many different lives, Alistair, in many different countries.”

Alistair smiled at her comment, before gesturing that she should continue with her story. And the tale she shared left the 70-year-old detective – and viewers watching at home – completely floored.

“I fell in love with an Iranian, and lived as an Iranian wife,” said Maggie.

“We weren't allowed [to marry]. His family was Jewish and I wasn't.”

This 63-year-old woman’s epic tale of lost love stole the show on First Dates