Blind date

EVERY week, we send a couple out on a blind date and report back. This week, Dan Montague, 37, had lunch at Roast in London with Orlagh Keating, 38. Dan is a single father of two children who works in marketing and lives in London. Orlagh, a teacher, lives in Essex.

ORLAGH, 38, SAYS:

I AM the last girl standing, as my brother and sister are married and so are all of my friends. My mum suggested I write in to the Daily Mail and I decided it would be good to let someone else arrange a date for me, since I have failed catastrophically at it.

My train was early, so I reached the restaurant first and spotted Dan as he walked in. I thought he looked intelligent and confident. He was quite good-looking, but not at all my usual type, as I normally go for the old cliche — tall, dark and handsome.

Still, I stayed open-minded, because I know personality can win you over, and I soon realised that Dan is really easy to talk to. On paper, everything worked between us and he definitely ticked a lot of boxes.

We talked about music — he’s into playing instruments and is a great singer, so I was genuinely impressed. He didn’t actually serenade me on the date, but showed me a video on his phone of him singing.

We like the same kind of music and it’s a passion for us both. I’d have liked to have been a radio DJ — and still would — so music is important to me. I have recently bought a guitar and want to learn how to play it.

I also love dancing and going to the theatre and I’m very sociable. That said, I also enjoy weekends away and the countryside.

We talked about Dan’s children, too. I’d be happy to date someone with kids — it doesn’t bother me at all and it was interesting to hear a bit about them.

He’s quite subtly witty and a real gentleman, while I’m feisty and sharp, but I was glad to see that he could handle it. I’m not sure if we were flirting, though. I’d say that we clicked, but there wasn’t any chemistry.

Unfortunately, I always seem to fall for men who are just not right for me. I have started to realise that, like most people, I’m quite complex. I’m a happy, kind, energetic person who enjoys making people laugh and feel good, but I am pretty feisty, too, so I need a man who can deal with a bit of opposition.

I like guys who are into sports and it is important they can make me laugh. I’d like to find a man of a similar age to me, but single ones seem hard to find. I’ve done endless rounds of dating apps, but find them boring. I have sort of given up on dating, to be honest — this date was one last try!

After lunch, Dan suggested we went for a drink, but between the heavy food and alcohol in the middle of the day, our energy began sagging.

We walked to the Tube station but, annoyingly, the date ended abruptly as his train arrived suddenly. We said goodbye as he ran to get it, so we didn’t get a chance to swap numbers.

I would definitely see him again as a friend, because we did get on. Despite all my dating disasters, this was a positive experience. LIKED? He’s witty. REGRETS? None. COFFEE OR CAB? Coffee and wine. Verdict: 8/10

DAN, 37, SAYS:

MY MANTRA is always to go somewhere fun or do an activity on a first date, because then if you don’t like each other, it’s not wasted time. So I was a bit worried about meeting someone new over lunch, as it has the potential to be quite intense.

Luckily, Orlagh was lovely and very attractive and we had a great afternoon. We had loads to talk about, including British bands we both like, silly Eighties movies and her job as a teacher.

We’re nearly the same age, so have a lot of similar tastes and memories from growing up.

The conversation was easy — in fact, I probably spoke too much! I like meeting new people, so I actually enjoy dating and am happy to chat away.

But, while I am naturally quite a flirt, I don’t think that either of us was truly making the effort to attract the other.

We enjoyed some sparkling wine and lovely conversation, but there just wasn’t a spark.

I also think that we had some fundamental differences around things we like to do and what we have experienced. I love getting away from busy city life and spending time with my kids, for example, and I think that’s a bit different from Orlagh’s life at the moment.

I have been single for three years following my divorce, and I have my kids every weekend, which leaves little time for dating.

I have a wonderful little girl of six and boy of four and they are my priority.

People don’t realise how difficult it is to date when you are a single parent, especially a single dad. We just don’t seem to be spoken about as much as single mums.

I was raised by a single mum, so I know how hard that is, but I think dads could get a bit more credit, too.

I’d love to meet someone — ideally, a woman who is funny, intelligent and confident in herself and who is as comfortable dancing on a bar as she is sitting and watching TV.

Most crucially, I want someone who can get her head around my situation with the kids, because my time with them is very important.

I’ve been on quite a few dates using apps, but, although I have met some lovely women, I haven’t found anyone I really like.

I’m trying to get used to dating again at this age — it is hard work and takes up a lot of time. You message someone for ages, then when you eventually meet, they are completely different to how you imagined.

That’s not how it was with Orlagh. Even though I wasn’t sure we were right for each other, I was still engaged in the date and had a good time. She came across as a fun and interesting person. We went for a drink after lunch, but ended up yawning, thanks to having had a big meal! We walked to the Tube, then my train arrived and I jumped on it.

I would see her again, perhaps if we went to a gig or something.

There was good banter between us, but it felt a little like being mates, rather than romance — not that there’s anything wrong with that.

All in all, it was fun. And she must be a really nice person to be able to put up with me for four-and-a-half hours! LIKED? She was passionate about her job and funny. REGRETS? None.

COFFEE OR CAB? Coffee. Verdict: 8/10

It didn’t bother me that Dan is a divorced dad of two

I need a woman who understands my kids are my priority