As soon as I saw her walk in, I put her in the friendship zone

DATING PAST?

I was in a long-term relationship from the age of 16 to 22, and that ended badly.

since then, I haven’t had a proper girlfriend, only flings.

I felt badly bruised by the end of that dating experience, and I haven’t found anyone I have clicked with enough to make it worth investing in a new relationship.

PRE-DATE NERVES?

I have a saying that nothing will grow from your comfort zone, so it’s good to do things that scare you a bit. But, as a rule, I don’t get nervous.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS?

If I’m honest, as soon as I saw sammi walking into the restaurant, I put her in the friendship zone. she had made an effort with lovely make-up and was wearing a satin jumpsuit and heels, but physically she simply wasn’t my type.

You can’t force these things. I have a friend who I know would find her more attractive.

EASY TO TALK TO?

AT FIRST she seemed nervous and quiet, and she wasn’t giving much away, so I said to her: ‘Don’t be nervous; pretend that we are just long- lost friends meeting to catch up’. I think that reassured her.

after that, we got on well. Initially, I was asking her questions and it got to the point where I said: ‘I don’t want this to feel like an interview!’ But she said: ‘No, I’m happy being asked questions — it’s nice.’

then she warmed up a bit and became much more animated when we got on to our shared love of music.

EMBARRASSING MOMENTS?

NONE that I noticed.

DID SPARKS FLY?

No, I don’t think either of us felt attracted to one another, but we got on well as friends.

SEE HER AGAIN?

SHE’S into music so we said we might meet again at a gig. But just after our date, a woman I’ve been seeing on and off for ten months got back in touch to say that she’d like to try again, so . . .

WHAT DO YOU THINK SHE THOUGHT OF YOU?

THAT’S hard. she was like a closed book to start with, but she kept saying: ‘I am glad you’re a nice person’. so that was good.

WOULD YOUR FAMILY LIKE HER?

Yeah, she’s lovely and friendly.