'She was amused that I'd tried Zumba in a pink headband': Find out if it's a match for Ellie and Tom on this week's Blind Date

ELLIE, 25

Single for two years, no children.

Dating Past?

My last relationship was for two years and it ended a couple of years ago. I’ve been on the dating apps but have had some truly terrible dates.

Pre-Date Nerves?

Yes, and his train was delayed too, so I was nervous he wouldn’t show up. I wore a summery red dress with heels and felt lovely.

Ellie (pictured) is a 25-year-old mental health therapist. She's been single for two years and is fed up of using dating apps 

First Impressions?

Tom came in with a big smile and gave me a hug, which put me at ease. He apologised for being 20 minutes late and I thought he was nicely dressed in a smart shirt. He’s more toned than the men I’d usually go for but he’s attractive.

Easy To Talk To?

Absolutely. We talked about lots of different things, including our favourite karaoke numbers. Tom even gave me his rendition of Elvis’s Can’t Help Falling in Love, which made me laugh. I didn’t reciprocate with my favourite Natasha Bedingfield song.

He is a personal trainer, admitting he’d once dressed up in 1980s gear for a Zumba class, which is my favourite exercise. Still, I got the sense I’m more extrovert than him and much more social.

Embarrassing Moments?

I initially thought the waiter was my date, which worried me as he was older than I’d have liked. But then he asked for my drink order and I sighed with relief.

Did Sparks Fly?

We got on well and he’s an interesting guy, but we’re quite different. He still lives at home with his parents while I have flatmates. 

We have different energies, too — I like a night out, but got the sense he’s more of a night-in kind of guy. So there wasn’t quite that chemistry. 

I had to rush off to a concert near the end of our date so we just parted ways at the station with a hug.

Would you meet him again?

We had a lively chat but I felt there was no romantic connection, so it’s unlikely we’ll meet again. He didn’t ask for my number, so I’m glad we were on the same page.

Ellie would like to meet someone funny and easygoing, but who is ambitious. She's not interested in arrogant men

What do you think he thought of you?

I honestly don’t know, but I hope he thought I was a nice person and enjoyed the date. I’m quite talkative so perhaps I missed the cues that he was flirting. 

He certainly seemed friendly, and I liked that he complimented me on my outfit and said I looked nice.

Would your family and friends like him?

Yes, as he was respectful and friendly. But we’re all quite outgoing so they would know he wasn’t for me.

TOM, 32

Single for a year, no children. 

Dating past?

I’ve had a couple of short-term relationships, the longest of which lasted three months, but nothing serious. Online dating isn’t working at all, and I’ve also tried speed-dating multiple times. Luckily, I’ve got no horror stories from either.

Pre-Date Nerves?

No, I don’t get nervous on dates. I wanted to dress up smartly so wore a white polo shirt and chinos with white shoes.

Tom (pictured) is a 32-year-old personal trainer. He's been single for a year and hasn't had any luck using dating apps 

First Impressions?

Ellie has a lovely smile with an enthusiastic personality, which I bounced off well. She is naturally pretty, which I look for in a girl, and was beautifully turned out in a lovely red dress. It felt comfortable to greet her with a friendly hug.

Easy To Talk To?

Oh, absolutely — the conversation flowed well with no awkward silences. We chatted about family, our jobs and, of course, fitness, given my job. I’m really into it and like all sports, while she’s getting back into running and does Zumba.

I amused her by telling her about my own Zumba attempt with full pink headband and wristbands. There was plenty of banter and I liked how easy she was to get on with.

Embarrassing Moments?

None at all.

Did Sparks Fly?

I didn’t feel an initial spark with Ellie but that could well have been down to my stress over being late. I’m usually a bit flirty but it’s hard to go full flirt on a blind date. Nevertheless, I was relieved we got on so well.

We walked back to the station together but we didn’t exchange contact details as I wasn’t sure she wanted to. We parted ways with a friendly hug so let’s see what happens. I’d be interested to see if she wanted to meet up again.

Would you like to see her again?

There was no immediate mad romantic rush. But I would be happy to meet up again to see if a spark might develop as I liked how bubbly and naturally attractive Ellie is.

Tom's looking for someone who’s kind, honest, loyal and has a sense of humour. Ideally, she should like to keep fit and be open to trying new things 

What do you think she thought of you?

I think she would say I made a fun date — everything flowed well and we laughed a lot.

Would your family and friends like her?

They’d get on well. My mum works as a counsellor so they’d have plenty to talk about.

ELLIE’S VERDICT: 7/10 

LIKED? He put me at ease.

REGRETS? None, I still preferred him to the waiter.

COFFEE OR CAB? A friendly coffee.

TOM’S VERDICT: 9/10 

LIKED? She was a pleasure to be around.

REGRETS? None at all.

COFFEE OR CAB? A hot choccy, for sure.