Time To Swipe Right?

Online dating now has 49 million users worldwide, and mature daters want in on the action

- Kara O’neill, Liz Hoggard

In a world where most people use their phone to organise their entire life, it makes sense it might also be the best way to find a new relationship. But your first time flicking through a catalogue of dating profiles can be daunting. You may worry you’re too old or too serious, as dating apps often feel aimed at younger generations, or those looking for casual sex. You might even fear unwanted photos of male genitalia landing in your inbox. Yet, done right, online dating doesn’t need to have an age limit, and the number of singles aged 55-64 looking for love via apps has doubled in recent years, with even celebs joining the fun.

When Sharon Stone, 61, signed up to dating app Bumble recently, other users couldn’t believe it was her and reported her profile as fake, resulting in her being blocked. ‘Don’t shut me out of the hive,’ she begged Bumble bosses on Twitter, and they soon confirmed her account had been restored so she could get ‘back to Bumbling’. Here, we speak to one woman who swears by dating apps. After all, if it’s good enough for Sharon Stone...

‘IT’S LIKE A SECOND ADOLESCENCE’

Liz Hoggard, 57, is a journalist and author. She lives in London.