We had both chosen a G&T for the date. I took it as a good sign

DATING PAST?

WHILE I’m bisexual, my last longterm relationship was with a man. We were together for eight years but ended up as friends.

This year has been a waste of time for dating. Even when you click with someone on an app, you can’t meet in real life.

PRE-DATE NERVES?

WHEn I told my mum I was going on a virtual date, she was excited. I started to get nervous as the date drew closer, and spent ages picking the right outfit, touching up my make-up and fluffing my hair. I also got a gin and tonic ready, along with some nice Italian food.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS?

HELEn is stunning. She’s so beautiful. She wore a paisley black dress, which made me wonder if she liked the late musician Prince. I wore a pretty silk blouse.

EASY TO TALK TO?

IT fELT like I was talking to a long-lost friend. We bonded over our love of festivals. We also both enjoy spoken-word poetry and are fans of Benjamin Zephaniah.

Helen has travelled to the U.S., and I used to live in fresno, near San francisco, so we talked about where she had visited.

We also had a real giggle over our celebrity crushes. I adore Kate Moss, and Helen definitely has a facial resemblance to her, and also oozes style.

She wrapped up the date after 90 minutes — I could have chatted for hours, but she’d had a long day and was tired.

EMBARRASSING MOMENTS?

My dogS made an absolute fool of me. They are mixed-breed rescue dogs and, even though they’d been on their best behaviour all day, they kept barking after I went online. fortunately Helen was understanding.

DID SPARKS FLY?

I THoUgHT there might be sparks within the first few seconds, but then I found Helen felt more like a friend.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO MEET IN PERSON?

I’d LovE to meet her in person, but as friends.

WHAT DO YOU THINK SHE THOUGHT OF YOU?

I don’T think Helen felt attracted to me, but I hope she found me easy to get along with. WOULD YOUR FAMILY LIKE HER? MUM would have said ‘Helen is the one for you’. Interviews: SAMANTHA BRICK