Who’ll find love on our blind date?

Who’ll find love on our blind date? This week it’s Michelle, 33, and Richard, 39,… but will romance be on the cards?

  • Every week FEMAIL sends a couple on a blind date and asks them to report back 
  • This week Michelle, 33, and Richard, 39, met at Pierre Marco White Steakhouse
  • Are you a singleton who is keen to go on a blind date? Email: [email protected] 
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Every week we send a couple out on a blind date. This time Richard Chandler, 39, had lunch at the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse, Birmingham, with Michelle Lench, 33.

Richard, who is a health club manager, lives in Redditch, Worcestershire, and has two children. Michelle has one son and works as a call centre supervisor.

MICHELLE, 33, SAYS:


Mother-of-one Michelle Lench, 33, (pictured) works as a call centre supervisor 

My celebrity crush would be actors Dwayne Johnson or Vin Diesel — I like dark, handsome, strong men! But maybe I go for the wrong ones, as I’ve been cheated on a few times and don’t have much luck in love.

Now I’m a single mum, and my son is wonderful but I haven’t dated at all since I had him. The lunch was a lovely chance to dress up and go out. But I was petrified! I have trouble trusting people — I’d never introduce anyone to my little boy until I knew they were right for me.

I know being a mother makes it harder to meet a man, but my son is my priority. Still, it might be nice to have someone who could pop over in the evenings and watch a movie. Maybe that will happen in the future.

I had no idea what to expect on the day. When I got to the restaurant, I mentioned to the waitress it was a blind date — she told me Richard was in the bar, then upgraded our table to one by the window!

My first thought when I saw him was that I wouldn’t normally find a beard attractive… but he was lovely to talk to. Within half an hour I decided I would have to change my position on beards as I began to fancy him!

Richard also has a great body, and was wearing a white polo shirt and blazer which fitted perfectly over his arms — so I could see just how muscly they were!

We got on really well, telling jokes and talking about our children. I’d date someone who wasn’t a parent, but they’d always have to understand that kids come first and I often don’t have a lot of free time. Love would have to fit around family life.

We also chatted about football and even past relationships. We had a lot in common — we’re both very close to our brothers, and we agree that our kids are priority. We even talked about how we both grew up in broken homes, and how that’s made family feel extra important.

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The one awkward thing was he doesn’t drink because he’s into body building and wants to stay fit. So I was sitting there with rosé while he was on Diet Coke. I was careful not to overdo it.

I did flirt and made Richard blush when the waitress asked us about dessert, and I told her he was sweet enough for me. I don’t know if he was flirting back — he had a real poker face.

He’s a real cheeky chappy, though. I have a big personality myself so I like confident men. As we walked out, he gave me his arm as I was wearing heels, which was really nice of him.

How do you get back into dating after taking a break?

Getting back into dating can be daunting, says Dating Doctor ALANA KIRK, but all you need is a gentle push.

  • You won’t get practice unless you start.
  • A date may not lead to love, but it will remind you it’s just about two people talking.
  • Unsuccessful dates are not all bad — chatting can boost your confidence

It’s been ages since I went on a proper date, and it was lovely to be treated well. We walked to the train station together, and I gave him my number and a kiss on the cheek. It all happened quite quickly, though, as he only had nine minutes to run for his train.

I would like to see Richard again, but I haven’t heard from him, so we’ll have to see. Either way, it was really good put on my glad rags and go on a date.

LIKED? He was cheeky and mischievous and had a good sense of humour.

REGRETS? None.

COFFEE OR CAB? Coffee.

VERDICT 7.5/10

RICHARD, 39, SAYS:


Father-of-two Richard Chandler, 39, (pictured) is a health club manager from Redditch

When Michelle walked into the restaurant I thought she was really pretty. She was wearing a lovely long dress, which really suited her.

Michelle is so easygoing and has a great personality. I’m not sure really what we talked about, most things probably, and some people at nearby tables even joined in the jokes that we were telling at one point, which was so funny.

Michelle even managed to get us a table by the window, so we had an amazing view of Birmingham. We got on so well, we could have been totally on our own in the place.

Although she was flirting a bit — I noticed she moved her chair a bit closer to me — I just felt we got on like best mates.

Sadly, I felt immediately that she wasn’t my type, so I knew there wasn’t going to be a romantic connection. But I have to say, if every date was as good as this one, I’d go on one every week!

I’ve been single for nearly two years after splitting from my long-term partner. It was a tough time and I was a bit wounded by the experience, so it has taken me a while to get back on the dating scene.

Now I think the time is right. My little girls are in school — they’re aged 11 and four — and although I haven’t joined any dating sites or apps yet, my friends keep telling me to get out there. So I decided to approach the date just like meeting someone new in the gym where I work, staying calm and friendly.

Being fit and healthy means a lot to me, and I would like to find someone who also really enjoys going to the gym and exercising.

I like women who are confident and outgoing, fun and definitely non-smokers! And it would be good to find a partner who understands the pressures of my life — especially having young daughters, whose needs will always come first.

Still, I’d love to have someone special to share the good things in life with, such as holidays abroad in the sunshine or city breaks to see the sights. I like to entertain and enjoy cooking for people, too, so I have a good social life that I’d like to share.

At the end of our date I offered to walk Michelle to the taxi rank, but she ended up walking me to the train instead!

She took my arm as we walked, although it might have been to help her walk in her high heels.

I took her number, but it’s been so busy I haven’t messaged her yet. I’ll probably get in touch soon to see if she wants to catch up.

As a gentle step back in to the dating scene, this was a really positive experience. Michelle is a really great girl and she’ll find the perfect guy, I’m sure.

LIKED? Bubbly and laidback.

REGRETS? None.

COFFEE OR CAB? Coffee.

VERDICT: 8/10

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