‘We know exactly what we want in a man’
LAUREN: ‘I would try online dating to meet someone’
Former TOWIE star F Lauren Goodger, 32, recently found herself single after breaking up with on-off jailbird boyfriend Joey Morrison in July. But the unlucky-in-love star – whose broken engagement to former co-star Mark Wright in 2011 was followed by a “toxic” on-off relationship with Jake Mclean – insists she’s not letting the break-up with Joey get her down, and now knows exactly what she wants from her next relationship.
She says, “I’m confident about meeting my Mr Right. I haven’t been short of offers, but now I know what I want and what I don’t want, so I’m in no rush. I enjoy being single and just having fun.
“I’ve never dated before and have always been in relationships since my teens. I’ve only had three boyfriends. I’ve always been with people I’ve known already or been friends with, so I’ve never done the whole dating thing – but now that I’m older, why not? I would try a dating app. I’ve always been intrigued by them, although all this swiping left and right sounds brutal! And imagine if I went on a date with someone and they pretended to get a phone call saying there’d been an emergency and had to leave. That would be so bad. But when it comes to dating, I guess you just have to be yourself.”
And asked about her perfect man, Lauren says, “I’d love someone who is secure and successful in their own right. Maybe someone in the public eye who understands it all. Most importantly, someone who will make me feel loved and special.”
CLAIRE: ‘I’m not willing to compromise any more’
Actress Claire Sweeney, A 47, split from her former partner, Dan Reilly, 34, weeks before discovering she was pregnant with her first child. Though the pair briefly reunited, they split for good in 2015, when their son Jaxon was nine months old.
The Benidorm star says, “Age has definitely changed my perspective on dating. Before, I was always searching and thinking, ‘Could this be Mr Right?’ but now I don’t have that void in my life. Since having my son, I’ve been much more cautious about who I let into our lives, and who is around him. I’m financially secure and have worked hard for what I’ve got, and I’ve had a few unpleasant encounters with men in the past.
“That means I’m now not letting anyone dodgy come near us. I’m not after a man to ‘keep’ me, or a father figure for Jaxon. And I’d never dream of using an app or a website to meet someone – I’d only date somebody I met through friends, or if I’ve known them a long time. I’m definitely open to meeting someone special, but I’ll know when it’s right because I’m very instinctive.
“I can’t be bothered wasting an evening on a date with someone I’m not fussed about – maybe it’s to my detriment. Sometimes, if I’m out with couples, it can feel a bit lonely, but it doesn’t bother me too much because I’m not willing to compromise just to be with someone – I want to get it right this time!”
LIZZIE:
‘Sex should be a big part of a relationship!’
TV pundit Lizzie, T 50, was married to footballer Jason Cundy for 18 years before the pair divorced in 2012, following claims he cheated. She lives with her two sons, Josh, 23, and James, 18.
She says, “Dating is harder as you get older. When I was young, I was carefree. Now I’m more aware, and when you’ve experienced heartache, you know what it’s like. Falling in love really is like falling – you feel unsafe! If I like a guy, but know my boys wouldn’t, it’s a no-go.
“I don’t want to go back to the pain I’ve felt before, but I’ve got to take a risk otherwise I’ll never find anyone! When I date somebody, I’m very guarded and play stupid games – I won’t text back straight away if I really like them and I’ll never make the first move. I do tend to go for bad boys, but I’ve grown wiser with age. The biggest warning sign is if a guy is too keen to have their photo taken with me!
“I prefer meeting men in bars – eyes across the room – not apps. I’m a bit scared, in case they Google me! It’s important for a guy to be fit, I don’t want a big slob eating cream cakes. I’m not into the dressing gowns and hot-water bottle thing! I’ve had my sons call me and pretend there’s been an emergency on a blind date before – I turned up and thought ‘no way’, plus there was no chemistry.
“Friends say I need someone kind and with a sense of humour, but physical attraction is key. I don’t want a companion; sex is very important and should be a big part of your relationship!”