Speed dating beats on-line dating hands down in so many ways.

In one fun night you can meet up to 20 potential dates.

Our over 40s speed dating events in central London take place on a regular basis and always attract a great crowd.

We always get a great turnout and the matching rate is amazing.

Here are just 14 of the things that I’ve come across. Everybody on the service is coming from a place of optimism, hoping to start over, but there have been a lot of broken hearts along the way.

There’s something mildly disturbing about grown-ups who think, ‘How do I show myself at my absolute best here? You’ve said nobody under 35, but the app keeps taunting you with pneumatic or six-packed 25-year-olds just to make you feel worse about yourself. The economics are simple: the straight guys pay, and they pay through the nose.

It’s a much gentler and more grown-up way to find new people than hanging around bars you’re far too old for while looking shifty or getting plastered. But every silver lining has a cloud, and there are some annoying things about dating apps that drive me demented. Unfortunately, yes: everybody has a story, and all too often that story ended in disappointment, separation, divorce or widowhood.

Everyone that attends is actively looking to meet people fast.

There's no hiding behind out of date profile pictures and because you meet people in person you can quickly decide if you want to see them again with no pressure to exchange numbers on the night.

I keep referring to the tranquility of your 40s and it’s in moving out of your routines that you will encounter your greatest challenge. He’s not interested in making the same mistakes from his romantic past, and neither are you.

You’re both single for any number of personal, heartfelt reasons and if he’s content with his routine it may be tricky to entice him to venture out of his comfort zone and back into dating.