SIXTY, SEXY AND SINGLE

After the end of her 31-year marriage Fiona Lambert, 62, had to learn the new rules of dating

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Sighing, I stared at the illuminated screen of my phone, trying to think of something witty to say that wouldn't be cheesy, clichéd or off-putting. 'Don't forget to change your age!' my friend warned.

It was 2024 and, newly single after 31 years of marriage and an amicable divorce, I'd decided to dip my toe into online dating. But as my friend earnestly explained that most men would set their age limit to 'under 60' (even if they were far above that themselves), I panicked and did as she said. 'You don't look your age so no one will guess,' she laughed as I decided I was 55 - six years younger than my real age.

This was just one of the realities of dating in your 60s, I convinced myself. As I'd not even been on a first date since I was in my early 20s I was definitely more than a little out of practice. And online dating seemed to come with a set of rules that I'd never learnt. Ask questions, but not too many. Have pictures of yourself, but not just selfies. Don't trust everything you're being told. And be prepared for unsolicited X-rated snaps! It was a total minefield. And once my profile was set up and matches began coming in, I thought I was over the hard part. But then came the first dates. Or meetups - as I tried to never think about them as 'dates' because it was too much pressure!

When I'd arrange to meet someone for a drink or a coffee - never a meal so you can slink off sharpish - I nearly always blurted out my real age within the first few minutes. I just felt too guilty lying and no one seemed to mind, so I quickly changed my bio to say my real age.