Episode 4 The Year of Making Love

In January 2012 hundreds of single people joined an ambitious

experiment designed to find out if science can help you find love.

Are you ready to meet your match?

THEY CHEER

It began with Britain's biggest ever blind date.

How you doing, you all right?

Hello.

How you doing, you all right?

Hello, beautiful. How you doing?

But these were no random introductions.

Each couple was matched by experts who believe you'll be

luckier in love if you take a scientific approach.

I'm in shock, like, how it's worked.

I just hoped there'd be a bit of chemistry

but there's nothing there, I'm sorry.

I'm happy. Please let him be happy too or this is going to be brutal.

I don't want to be nasty, she's really nice, I'm not wowed.

Yeah, I'm the cat that got the cream. So far so good.

Well done science.

So can love be created in a lab?

The brains behind the experiment are psychologist Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic

and Emma Kenny.

Tomas is a personality profiling expert.

Millions of people are single because they are hooked to

this crazy idea that there is just one perfect person out there.

The reality is that we have several potential good matches

and compatibility tests will help them find them.

Emma is a clinical psychologist.

We've designed this experiment to prove that science can help

you find love and that by carefully measuring compatibility

you're a lot more likely to find somebody who's just right for you.

Couples put together in the lab meet at the launch event

with more joining in the weeks that followed.

I'm impressed so hopefully you are too,

I don't know what kind of girls you go for.

-To us.

-Definitely.

-Cheers.

Each week we'll follow a new set of couples who decide to see

each other again.

He has suggested date two which is really exciting.

I don't know if he's getting a kiss or not,

depends if he goes in for one.

Tomas and Emma will monitor their progress for up to a year.

I really fancy Rogan, I'm not going to lie.

It's going to be exciting to see how our couples get along

and no doubt there are going to be some surprises.

It will be fascinating to see what happens next.

All my research and the science suggest it should work

but in practice we have no idea.

Whatever happens, we'll be there every step of the way.

SHE SQUEALS

But will any of the couples even like each other?

First kiss...Oh, my God!

If I was a guy, I wouldn't do that at a date again.

Will any of them last the whole year?

I guess I was kind of expecting to hear from him maybe a bit more.

She seems to think I'm only after one thing.

I can't stop smiling, look.

And will the experts be proved right? Will anyone find love?

Kirsty, will you be my girlfriend?

Yes.

One year ago hundreds of single guys

and girls from across the UK joined this ambitious experiment,

each of them identified by science as one half of a compatible pair.

And each of them hoping to find love.

What is your perfect match?

What I've seen round here today, I'm quite happy with any of them!

It's really shallow to say but obviously looks matter a great deal.

I like Neil from the Inbetweeners.

Kelly Brook, basically. I love that girl. Curvy, nice bum.

If a girl had bigger feet than a size four,

they'd have a tough chance of, basically, getting with me.

Everyone's focussed on looks but the science is based on personality,

so they're all hoping for the perfect combination.

I've got mixed emotions about today.

I'm really quite excited.

This actually could be the turning point of my love life.

Are you ready to meet your match?

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Our first single guy this week had his heart broken four years ago

and doesn't want to get hurt again.

The girl I was with at the time,

she decided that I wasn't good enough.

30-year-old Chris is a fireman and fitness fanatic...

Go on, Chris! One, two, three.

..who just can't find love.

Some people say that I do lack a bit of confidence

and I'm a little bit shy.

I think from my previous relationship,

the way things ended, it did, er, knock my confidence a little bit.

How are you doing mate?

I think the reason Chris is single is

he just needs to get a bit more confidence behind him.

When he's had a few drinks he's a brilliant laugh,

he's always chatting to girls.

Put in the right situation, Chris will find someone.

I'm going to give this experiment a go and see

if I can meet someone nice.

Yeah, we'll see.

With both scoring high on sociability,

Chris has been matched with 20-year-old Abbie from Southend.

-You all right?

-Yeah, you?

-Lovely to meet you.

You want to hold my hand in case I fall?

-Yeah, course I can, yeah.

-Thank you.

I like this couple.

She seems quite confident, doesn't she, sexually, you know,

-she's quite happy to be holding a strange guy's hand.

-Yes, yes.

I was actually really shocked, he's not really the type of guy

I usually go for but I think he's really, really nice looking.

-I'm from Southend.

-'I did clock her at the very beginning of the day'

so to be matched with her, yeah, I'm happy about that.

So what do you do in London?

I'm a fireman. What about yourself?

Well I work in promotions.

And then I'm a glamour model, I've been doing that for three years.

-Fantastic.

-And, yeah, cos my ex-boyfriends haven't worked out

in the past cos of what I do, a lot of them can be

really jealous and, like, protective and that's why it's not worked.

-Yeah.

-But you seem, like, a proper down-to-earth, you know, just...

I'm quite easygoing, yeah.

-You don't seem like, "Really, oh, my God, how can you do that", do you know what I mean?

-Yeah.

You seem laid back about it all which is really good.

I think it's quite a cool thing actually, I'd rather,

like, you know, if I was to be with someone,

I'd rather they do what they want to do.

To all the boys, if you're watching this at the fire station,

I think you'll agree that I've done pretty well for myself today.

There's a ten year age gap but that doesn't seem to matter.

What sort of things do you like to do?

I like to do fun things and just let my hair down doing whatever.

Cool.

'He's 30 years old but we get along really well

'and I hope he'll ask me on a date.'

Yeah, age doesn't matter.

I'm going to put myself on the line, I'd really like to see Abbie again.

There's been no awkwardness at all so...yeah, I think

it's safe to say we've both been really pleased.

And he's a fireman!

Chris and Abbie are off to a great start.

And as more introductions are made,

the science is creating many more happy couples.

Hello there, cracking,

but she's a beautiful girl so what's not to be happy about.

Ah, thank you.

First impressions?

-Good.

-Really good.

-I feel overdressed.

I feel underdressed.

This is great. Yay, science!

Our next single guy is hoping it goes just as well for him.

He's looking for his first ever girlfriend.

I'm Joe Mason, I'm 18-years- old,

currently at the University of Leeds in my first year.

I'm a smiley cheeky chappy.

I can't help but smile, it's something that...

I think it's my natural jaw line, to be honest.

I've always been single, I've not had a relationship yet.

It's something that I'd quite like to discover.

I've probably not found my perfect match yet because I get involved

in lots of societies, student radio and lots of sport as well.

He hasn't dated ever in university as far as I'm aware,

I believe he's asked someone out. Erm, which sadly was turned down.

I don't think I've been on a proper date as such.

I've been out, we've met these two girls, we went bowling

and that was brilliant, possibly she was just going with her friend

and didn't have any intentions for anything else.

It was still a really good evening, really enjoyed it.

I don't think nice guys do finish last,

it's just a question of patience.

I need to be my own person, be happy with who I am

and find someone that can appreciate me for that.

Feeling pretty nervous, I'm not going to lie,

pretty anxious at the moment so yeah, oh wow...

I didn't realise how big this was going to be.

Just about there, turning the corner, 100 metre dash.

Top to toe, you know, I'm starting to feel excited in the head,

the blood is literally starting to pump, you know.

This is it.

With both scoring high on emotional stability,

Joe's match is Amy from Salford.

-Hiya.

-Nice to meet ya.

-Nice to meet you too.

-What's your name?

Amy.

I'm Joe.

Watch me fall down these stairs!

Oh, wow. What a nice, warm looking couple.

Yes. This one I think is a definite yes.

How are you feeling?

Uh, kind of nervous.

She seems like a really nice girl, she seems really friendly,

really quite bubbly so, yeah, positive signs.

I've been so nervous all day.

When I saw him, initially I thought "not my type".

It's kind of opposite to what I put down as being the person that

I'd naturally go for.

I mean she seems like a lovely person, someone that I'd

hang out with, someone that I'd go for a drink with.

Compatibility seems to have, you know, worked in a way.

Amy's not sure about Joe

but she's got a killer question to suss him out.

If you were walking down a road and you saw a badger.

A badger?

That had just had it's teeth pulled out and it was a talking badger

and it understood English and it was crying.

-Yeah?

-How would you comfort it?

Wow. I don't know what I could do for a badger.

He seems like a really nice guy and he is funny.

I don't know how like, compatible we are.

But I guess you have to find out over time,

I think, more than just straight away.

She seems really bubbly, really nice, really friendly.

The badger, that kind of put me on the spot a bit

and I was a bit like, "What? OK!" But yeah, I'm all for that.

So yeah, no, she seems like a lovely person.

While it's not love at first sight,

Joe and Amy do seem to have potential.

And the experts are noticing many more promising matches.

There is something really similar about those faces.

Yes.

It's working.

It almost seems like she dressed him. Very similar styles.

They match each other so perfectly.

Although looking right for each other...

I'm Kate, nice to meet you.

..doesn't always mean they see eye to eye.

Yeah, he seems nice, he wore a suit.

A guys always looks better in a suit generally.

Umm...not quite the ideal type that I would have gone for.

Hoping she does better is Annalese,

a racing driver whose career has been putting off the boys.

Because of my motor racing I have struggled in the past to find

suitable men to date.

I need someone that can sort of understand my lifestyle.

They'll either be, "Oh no, not a woman driver"

or they'll be quite excited by it.

Both scoring high on confidence,

Annalese has been paired with financial trader Chris from Essex.

She's definitely my type. She was wearing a racing driver's uniform.

She's not going to be a better driver than me.

If I was just going on looks, he wouldn't really be my type

but personality he might be.

-I need to ask you what size feet you are.

-Why?

Cos I have a thing about feet.

Let me get my bag and go! It's getting a bit weird now.

No, no, no.

They need to be smaller than a size four...or five. Six? Seven?

-Five!

-You're a five?

-Yeah.

So you're borderline. So you're not too bad.

-That's OK.

-'Bit strange and he didn't really have, like,'

any reason to ask it really.

I don't like anything bigger than a size five.

Five's borderline so she's lucky.

I'm probably a better driver than you by the way.

I'll race you.

My impressions are he's a bit cocky.

If you want to get beat by a girl, we'll go karting.

Bring it on.

'She's a good looking girl. Long, dark hair, good slim body, good career.'

We'll have to see how things go.

I will give it a go but I really honestly can't see how he's my type at the minute.

Hundreds of single people have put their faith in science.

But who will see each other again?

Is there going to be a second date?

Yes.

Yeah, baby!

Ah, thank you, that was lovely.

The matchmaking process wasn't confined to the launch day.

In the weeks that followed, many more single people

took the compatibility test and met up with their ideal match.

I think this is her.

Oh, hello!

Hello.

Here he comes.

Hello.

In London, 26-year-old Mel is about to find out who she's been

matched with.

It is a Thursday evening. So I've literally just left the office.

I'm going to meet my supposedly compatible match

so I'm a little bit nervous about that.

Time's ticking and as my parents would say, you know,

got to get out there, got to find that perfect guy.

High-flying Mel is an ad agency account manager

but her love life is far from ideal.

I've been single for my entire life. All 26 years.

I've dated guys in the past

but it's never got into a serious relationship.

I'd say one of my big hobbies is baking.

I like to bake for people's birthdays.

I just think it's something nice that you can do for people.

Mel is a brilliant girl. She is fun and bubbly and just full of life.

It would be great if she could just meet a really lovely guy.

I'm always busy.

I've got a great job, a lot of girlfriends and we go out and have a great time.

Cheers, ladies, yeah.

Mel just needs to find time for the right man.

I would say I was ready for lifelong love.

Someone who's got a lot of confidence.

If you can see like a passion and a light within someone's eyes,

that's what I go for.

And someone who can make me laugh

because if you can make a girl laugh it's like a golden ticket.

I think the perfect guy exists out there for me.

At least I hope he does. I'm sure he does.

I'm just having a look to see if I can tell who it is.

I think this might be him so I'm just going to go and say hello.

-So you're Chris?!

-Hi, yes, Mel?

-Yes. Great to meet you.

-How's it going?

I'll give you a hug, why not... Yeah, good. How are you doing?

I'm really, really well. Yeah, very good, umm.

This is strange.

A bit nervous, it's is all a bit crazy.

But yeah, looking forward to finding out why we've been matched.

Yeah, this is very random. Shall we jump inside?

Yeah, yeah, let's do it.

Mel's been matched with Chris,

a software designer by day who's also a skydiving action man.

I've always been fascinated with human flight

and I think skydiving is the closest you can get.

I'd say I'm kind of an optimistic, outgoing person,

I'll give anything a go, what's the worst that can happen?!

I've had two long relationships.

Well, one of four years, one of two years.

I'm newly single and I'm still only 26.

At the very least I'm expecting to, you know,

meet a cool person who I get on really well with.

I tend to go for cute brunettes.

I don't know why, just my type.

I suppose someone who is up for trying things,

a "yes" kind of person.

LAUGHTER

And if I get anything else then that's a bonus.

Where are we?

So a quick update.

We've had a few drinks, we're getting on well, I think.

What do you think, Mel?

Yeah, it's going good, well, so well...

She's obviously had a few more than me.

So far, so good, is what I meant to say.

We are hopefully going to try to find some kind of food,

maybe a few snacks.

Good?

Yeah, it's good. It's very good.

So it turns out we are too full on cocktails to actually eat

all the food so we may as well carry on as we began

and go back for more cocktails.

It's going well. I think.

A couple of hours and several cocktails later...

It's the end of the evening, I've had a lovely evening.

Over to you, Mel, what do you think?

It's been a very interesting night, really, really good fun.

We'll just have to see what happens next.

And the next day they were both still feeling positive.

Hi. Chris, um, made me laugh a lot.

I don't know whether that was me laughing because of nervousness

or whether actually because he's a really funny guy, but I think he is.

Fingers crossed we'll go on another date

and I can find out a lot more about him.

But so far it's thumbs up.

We got on really well, it was lots of silly banter, lots of tequila and

no awkward silences so yeah, really looking forward to the next one.

And, er, yeah, really excited.

At the launch of the experiment,

fireman Chris was matched with glamour model Abbie.

-How you doing, you all right?

-Yeah, you?

-Lovely to meet you.

And you, darling.

He's not really the type of guy I usually go for

but I think he's really, really nice looking.

I'm the cat that got the cream, so far so good.

They hit it off and agreed to go on another date.

Safe to say we've both been really pleased.

And he's a fireman!

Two weeks later, Chris has arranged a surprise for Abbie.

All showered. Good to go.

-Hiya.

-I'm just about to leave Southend, to make my way to London,

where I've got my first official date with Chris.

Lucky pants.

He did tell me to not wear a dress and to wear jeans or trousers

so I'm a bit confused what he's got in store.

Abbie's an ambitious girl with many strings to her bow.

I work in promotions for a local nightclub,

I do glamour modelling and I am a street dancer too.

There is so many outfits to choose from but today

our manager has chosen

a little red and black underwear set with hot pants and boots.

But Abbie's love life has stalled.

Obviously, being a glamour model you always get guys on your case

and, you know, the sleazy comments.

I always think they're after a trophy girl and not me.

I would like to settle down actually and meet someone that is Mr Right.

So I need to find someone that accepts me

and my glamour modelling too.

Going out with a glamour model is no problem for Chris -

he's just praying the date goes well.

I'm feeling slightly more nervous now as we're getting closer to the evening.

But I'm just trying to make sure that I look good for the lady.

Let's just hope Abbie likes the surprise.

The nerves are getting a little bit more, I must admit.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-How are you?

-How you doing?

-I'm good, you?

Yeah, good. Good to see you again.

-So, what do you think we're doing?

-I don't know. I don't have a clue.

If you look down there, it says "ice rink."

-Oh my God, really?

-Can you ice-skate?

You know I used to be a champion? At ice-skating...

I'm only joking!

-Better?

-That's all right. They don't have them things to stop.

The spikes? They got 'em.

I thought you had them little things at the top.

-No, that's roller skates.

-Oh, is it?

-Yeah.

-Oh!

Chris's nerves soon melt away.

And Abbie's finding out she rather likes a nice guy.

Whoa.

That's it, you're doing good. We've done a lap.

We've done a lap, we're getting there.

He's good looking, he's got a personality.

He knows how to look after a girl and treat a girl.

So yeah, it is going really well and I do have a little crush on him.

So... make me blush now.

Would you fall forward or back?

What? What would hurt more?

Yeah, I think it's going really well.

We're having a good old chinwag and it hasn't been too awkward,

which is one thing I was maybe a little bit worried about.

I think we're getting on really well.

-Right, ready?

-Yeah, good to go.

Whoa!

No way do I think this is our last date at all.

So...yes.

-Cheers.

-Cheers.

Chris has been single since he split from the love of his life four years ago.

And as they get to know each better,

Abbie gets the sense he might be holding something back.

He's a very laid back guy so it is quite hard to read him,

to think "Oh, does he like me, does he not like me?"

I think he wants to take things really slow.

That's the impression I'm getting anyway.

We just enjoy each other's company, I think

and, you know, we'll see where it goes from here.

After a few drinks, they agree to another date.

Next time, any ideas? What would you like to do?

I'm going to let you choose.

Then it's time for those all-important goodbyes.

So are we definitely... We're still on for Wednesday?

Yes. I need to plan something though, so...

-Make sure you plan something good.

-I'll sort something out.

I'll get my thinking brains on tonight

-and then I'll let you know what we're doing...

-Excellent.

-And what's going to be happening.

-Right, OK.

-It was nice to meet you.

-Nice to meet you.

And I'll see you again.

I'll give you a text when I get home or something.

-OK, see you later. Bye.

-Bye.

We had a little bit of a peck on the lips.

Definitely had that sort of awkwardness about it.

I went in a little bit more sort of gung-ho than she did

but it wasn't like she pulled away completely

so there we go, build on that.

It's been a week since Mel and Chris

went out on their cocktail-fuelled first date.

And today they're meeting up again.

So today I'm meeting Mel at a festival in East London.

We've both got the Friday afternoon off so it should be a good time.

I've also got my flatmate Dale, who's going today.

-He might be filming me. Say hello, Dale.

-Hello.

-Turn the camera around, darling, come on.

-Hello.

There we go.

Definitely looking forward to spending more time with her,

seeing what she's like and yeah,

seeing if she can put up with seven hours of me. So we'll see.

It's the start of a beautiful, beautiful weekend.

-Hello, how's it going?

-Hello. How are you doing? Very good.

Nice to see you again. Oh, so were you at work today?

Yes, God, yeah, yeah.

I've brought the weather for you, as you can see.

It's a chance to meet each other's friends for the first time.

-Dale, my housemate.

-Dale, how's it going? How you doing?

Nice to meet you.

I can't believe it's got to this point already

when we're even introducing housemates, friends.

So we'll see.

But it's not long before Chris and Mel only have time for each other.

Woo!

And it's more than their personalities that are well matched.

Today I've probably learnt that Chris is as bad a dancer as I am.

So I'm pretty awful but I think Chris is exactly the same.

I definitely think after today that Chris and I will meet up again.

The sooner the better, to be honest.

I think everything so far has gone pretty well.

I think it will continue to go pretty well. So...

A week later, there's another date in the diary

and it looks like a relationship could be on the cards.

I think we're definitely good friends at the moment.

There's a little bit of chemistry there,

a little bit of a spark and I think getting to know him better,

spending more time with him, that could develop into more

but it hasn't done so yet so it's interesting to see.

I would definitely want that to happen

but I don't know if Chris does.

Having just come out of a two year relationship,

Chris is a little more cautious.

I know I don't give too much away.

I've always got my guard up, I think too much.

I'd like to see her a couple of times a week maybe,

and see if there's a relationship.

Shall we?

Hello.

-How are you doing?

-Good to see you.

-Yeah, you too.

-Cheers.

-Cheers.

Pizza for two and a few beers later,

conversation turns to their dating history.

And as Mel's never had a proper boyfriend, she's having to busk it.

So how about previous relationships?

How have they gone and... why are you here?

The last time I was in a semi-serious relationship

was when...was a guy that I met through online dating.

I generally don't talk about past relationships with people

because I don't really feel like it's necessary ground to cover.

I've dated a few people since, none of which have really gone anywhere.

I kind of assumed that Mel would have been in

a maybe longer-term sort of relationship

but I realise I'm sort of the exception rather than the norm.

It was a nice chat to have. Interesting, definitely.

How about yourself?

I was going out with a girl for two years, so serious.

We were actually living together for the last six months.

That's the second time I've actually lived with a girl.

Ahh. I see.

Apart from that, I'm good.

He's had two intense past relationships

whereas I'm the opposite.

I've had very fleeting relationships in the past so...

Interesting and another level

and something a bit deeper that I know about him.

It's kind of a down the line conversation, isn't it?

It's not something you talk about with someone you've just met

so I think that shows, you know, what kind of direction we're going in.

It's a month since Abbie and Chris met at the launch

of the experiment and things have been moving slowly.

It would just be nice, maybe, for him to text me out of the blue

or a couple of times more than what he is.

At the moment it's just going really, really slow.

Yeah, he just needs to speed it up a little bit.

Get my little crop top out, show a bit of flesh.

Abbie's invited Chris to work up a sweat at her gym.

Bit different to normal dates so I'm hoping he's going to like it.

Fingers crossed. I am quite nervous, really.

Because if it doesn't go well then I know,

well, I just think that our relationship, or what we've got

at the moment, will just disappear and, you know, it won't progress

cos at the moment I'm just a bit not sure how he thinks about me.

So I just hope the date will go really, really well

and things will get back on track again a bit more.

-You all right?

-Hello. How you doing?

-Sorry I'm late.

-That's all right.

-How are you?

-Yeah, good, thank you.

-Are you excited? Are you nervous?

-I'm really nervous, yeah.

-Are you?

-I have no idea what we're doing.

Abbie's hoping a lesson in mixed martial arts will fire things up.

This is more hardcore than I've ever done, by the looks of things.

What about me then? Look. Look at me.

I'm not worried about you. I think you're going to be fine.

I think they're going to go easy on you.

I think they're going to beast me.

No, I think they're going to go hard on me, I can just imagine it.

I'm feeling really excited that I've seen him.

I'm actually feeling a lot better.

I was a bit nervous at first but I'm feeling fine now.

With all the floor work, it has brought us a bit closer

cos there were times where, well, it did go a bit physical.

It was, um, a bit intense, I must say.

So do you actually have to take your clothes off for a rear naked choke

-or do you keep them on?

-You can keep them on.

Tonight she looked very hot in her all-black, tight outfit, so to speak.

I liked watching him, yeah.

It was quite sexy to watch him sweating it out as well,

it was quite good.

Looks like her gym date has done the trick

but Abbie wants to be absolutely sure.

I think it's going really, really well so...what do you think?

Please don't say... Oh, I just made a fool out of myself!

I don't know how to say this...

I'm just kidding.

No, I think we're getting on really well as well, you know, like...

I just really want to see if we can just carry on as we are at the minute

and just see where it leads to, you know, without any pressure...

-No, no.

-Long-term, are you looking for anything, like, long-term?

If we carry on getting on well and we keep seeing each other

and things like that, or...

I want to be able to find someone

and have a stable relationship with and do things that couples do.

-Yeah.

-You know, have a bit of a laugh, have a bit of fun.

-Like MMA, you know?

-Yeah, like MMA!

"Come on, love, let's go to our MMA class,

"let's go beat the shit out of each other."

They both want to take it further.

Chris just needs to show Abbie how he feels.

-I'll give you a call anyway.

-Yeah.

Rather than text you, I'll give you a call.

That's fine. You can text or call me.

All right, OK, well I better get my train.

Yes, well, nice to meet you, and again, really nice.

-Yeah, thank you very much for tonight.

-That's OK.

-Right, let me know when you get home.

-Yeah.

Or I should let you know when I get home.

I'm going to walk round the corner now and go, "Argh, I'm in pain."

-See you later.

-See you later.

-Bye.

Umm, I actually gave him another little cheeky kiss

and this time it was much better than the first one, I must say.

And we both said tonight that we do like each other so, umm,

and we said about how we want to make it progress

so hopefully with that when he gets home

he can just text me a bit more and, yeah, it will work out really good.

After our first two dates

I could see that this could hopefully go quite far.

I'd like it to, you know. I'd like us to become a couple.

At the launch of this relationship experiment,

science created hundreds of compatible couples.

But in the following days, many decided to call it quits.

When Joe was matched with Amy, she had reservations.

He seems like a really nice guy...

I don't know how compatible we are.

They swapped numbers but didn't meet up again.

In the end, nothing just seemed to work in terms of

anything more than friends, to be honest.

Racing driver Annalese was well matched with financial trader Chris

on competitive spirit.

I'm probably a better driver than you, by the way. I'll race you.

My impressions are he's a bit cocky.

If you want to get beat by a girl, we'll go karting.

Bring it on.

So the challenge was set for their next date.

But Chris rocked up half an hour late nursing a hangover.

I actually was out with some clients last night

and I kind of ended up getting home at about six in the morning.

I thought he smelt of alcohol.

Chris thought he'd win her over with superior driving skills.

-26:24.

-That's poor.

-Annalese, 25:61.

-Yeah!

Well done. Pff.

He lost the race but didn't give up on Annalese.

I enjoyed today. I can't believe she beat me.

Obviously I'll have to get to know her a little bit better.

Yeah, no, are you going to come down to Essex and see me?

Tell you what, let me take you out and then you'll see me different.

All right. But as long as you're not late.

Annalese finally said yes,

but then changed her mind and they dropped out of the experiment.

It's just a month since Mel and Chris first bonded over cocktails.

But for Mel, who's never had a proper boyfriend,

he might just be the one.

I'm more interested and more excited about Chris

than I have been with probably any other guy that I've dated.

So we'll see where it goes.

Today, Mel's getting a first taste of Chris the action man,

starting with a ride on Big Suze, his motorbike.

-You good?

-Yep, I'm good.

-You can either hang onto the grab rail or you can spoon me.

-OK!

It's up to you.

I never would have expected myself ever to be in full leather gear,

with a helmet and gloves, and I'm about to go on a motorbike.

When I mentioned, you know,

"I can pick you up on the bike if you want,"

she was like, "Yeah, yeah, let's do it."

I really like that sort of go for it attitude.

She also has a great smile.

-All right. How was that?

-Yeah, we made it.

We made it. Ah.

Chris has brought Mel to a circus school.

Woo!

With the flying trapeze, that was amazing, it's such a rush.

But all Mel really wants to know is whether he's as keen as she is.

Chris hasn't been very forward.

The advice that I've got from a lot of my girlfriends

is that I need to step up to the plate

and be a little bit forward myself.

That's not something that I would usually do.

I very much let the man make the first move...

It's good advice, especially as Chris seems perfectly content

with how it's going.

I'm a very much sort of chilled out person

who goes where the flow takes me so as long as we are carrying on

enjoying each other's company and the dates then, yeah,

let's just keep going with that.

Later that evening, they head out for cocktails again.

So Chris and I are going to grab something very, very quickly to eat

and then we are going to go and get drunk. Woo.

And, in the early hours, they're still going.

Apparently there's whisky at Chris's house.

But I think given it's ten past two in the morning,

I may have missed the last tube.

Oh, no!

Do you think it may have been his secret ploy?

That night they did get a little closer.

Umm...

Yeah, we went back to my house and had some whisky

and it was a nice end to a really great day.

I just, yeah, I crashed at Chris's. He's a gentleman...

That was it Um... Ha!

Now I'm being coy.

Umm... Things are going in the right direction.

Yeah, so no, Chris and I had a little cuddle on Saturday night,

which was perfect.

As I said, he's a gentleman and yeah, that was very nice.

They're a little reluctant to admit it

but Chris and Mel's relationship is clearly moving forward.

And when his birthday comes along, Mel plans a very special surprise.

I am baking him a cake.

It's nice to make things for people because who doesn't like cake?

I don't like this sneakiness, Mel... What have you done?

-Oh, no way!

-Ta-da.

-Oh, that's Big Suze!

-Yeah!

-That's amazing.

-Do you like it?

-That's awesome.

# Happy birthday to you! #

Cheers, guys! It's in stereo!

Happy birthday.

-It's, wow, it's uncanny.

-Yeah?

Yeah. I can't believe you made me a bike cake. That's awesome.

I know. Mwah. Happy birthday.

-I'm going to stop filming now.

-OK.

Perhaps Chris is getting the message.

He's decided the time is right for an important introduction.

I am going over to Chris's house

and I am going to meet his mum for the very first time.

Yeah, so I'm dressed appropriately, I hope.

I'm a bit nervous, a bit, like, jittery,

I need something to calm down.

I thought I better take something with me

so I'm going to make shortbread.

At Chris's flat, stepdad Brian and mum Stella can't wait to meet Mel.

There's something about the relationship that feels OK,

-so far. You know, from a mum point of view.

-You've heard the goss?

I don't know, you do seem... ..different about this.

I think it will be quite interesting.

I suppose the fact that she's meeting, you know,

the folks so early means there's something there.

It's not, you know, I'm in love and want to get married

and must show her to my folks or anything like that, and it

didn't seem an odd thing to do and I wanted them to meet each other.

All I can just hope is that she really likes me and that we get on.

That's the best case scenario, so fingers crossed.

-Hello.

-Hello. How are you doing, Mel?

-Good to see you. I'm good, I'm good.

-Great, come on in.

-Cool, thank you.

-How are you feeling?

-All right!

-Hi.

-Hello!

Nice to meet you. I'm Chris's mum.

-How are you doing?

-This is Brian.

-Hi, Brian.

-Hello, Mel, pleased to meet you. Yes, good.

-Cool.

-Come and have a seat.

-I will.

I'm going to sit...I'm going to sit right in the middle, I think.

Oh no, actually Chris should be in the middle, shouldn't he?

Nice to meet you, I've heard lots about you.

So, Chris hasn't told me much about you guys, to be honest.

I've never met any guy's parents before, like...

-Ever?

-Yeah, ever.

-Ever?

-You've had to do this after only eight weeks.

-Yeah!

-No pressure then.

And you didn't know that, Christopher?

Mel, would like a drink? Because we've already had one. OK. Right.

I've got something to give you as well, actually.

-That's really nice of you. Thank you.

-That's all right.

I've got to ask you, you'd never met Chris before,

and he was introduced to you.

-Yeah, two months ago.

-What were your thoughts?

Conversation just, like, flowed quite easily, so.

It was a bit awkward at the end of the night,

I was, like, so do we swap numbers, what do we do?

-What did you do?

-I forced him to take my number.

-Did you?

Yeah, because he was like,

I think he was ready just to go, you know,

like, we'd had a little hug and it was like,

"Yeah, very nice to meet you, we've had a nice night", and whatever.

-So, laidback Chris.

-Yeah, and he was just a bit like, kind of backing away

and I was kind of like,

-"Right, do you want my number then?"

-What did he say?

He was like, "Oh, yeah, I suppose, I suppose I could take that, yeah."

-I think he likes you.

-Aww!

We've heard bits and bobs, but we've never actually met.

Is this a present for me?

Yes, yes, we can have it with tea.

It's basically something that I just made this morning.

They've hit it off, and Mel's homemade shortbread

is the icing on the cake.

-I've got some shortbreads!

-Oh, wow!

-Which you don't know is my favourite.

-Yeah.

You know, I didn't know that actually. Really? Awesome.

Stella seems like she's going to be a right laugh, and they're

both very, very lovely people, so, yeah, I think that went very well.

I hope I've made a good first impression.

-It's really delicious.

-Thank you.

-It looks like you could buy it.

I think she's really nice. I also think they're quite well-suited.

They seem to have some chemistry going on. Let's hope!

I'd be very pleased if it works.

Do you think you'd like to come to Derby then?

-I would love to come to Derby, yeah.

-Honestly, Stella, you're terrible!

-How was that for you?

-Yeah, she seems very lovely.

You seemed to get on very well with my Mum.

We're going up to Derby!

Apparently. And I haven't been invited so...

-No, of course you're invited.

-Awesome.

That's very nice of your mum to invite me.

They both seem very lovely.

It's a different story for Abbie and Chris.

They agreed to see more of each other but,

fearful of getting hurt, Chris has been holding back.

He's in his hometown to get advice from his sister, Nikki.

I was going to ask a little bit more about, sort of, where

things are heading but I didn't want to come across as too full-on.

No, I think you need to ask though

because when you first meet somebody you want to know

that you're seeing each other, and you are going to keep seeing

each other instead of that awkward, "Are they going to ring me?

"Are they not going to ring me?".

-Yeah.

-You know, so you can open up more around that person

and be more relaxed around that person.

Yeah, that's a good way of putting it.

I think, you know, that's what

I was looking to ask her more than anything.

And maybe she was waiting for you to ask that question.

Yeah. No-one wants to be rejected.

No, course they don't.

And because I've been single for quite a long time...

None of us like being hurt or messed about, do we?

So that's another thing,

you almost put a barrier up against it, don't you? Everyone does.

Yeah.

My sister's sort of explained that I'm holding back

and that might come across to Abbie that I'm not interested.

He could lose out by holding back, you know, in relationships

and things like that, because if you're not willing to put yourself

out there, how are you going to know?

If I'm completely honest, that's the story of my life, really.

I guess I find it sometimes difficult to be, you know,

just completely open.

Chris decides to seize the day and contacts Abbie to arrange a date.

Today, I'm meeting Abbie for a picnic.

So as you can see there I've got all the drinks, all the cups,

picnic blanket there.

I've got things like ham, some of the small sausages,

mini Scotch eggs, nibbles really.

I'm really looking forward to seeing him and seeing what he's

done for me with the picnic, which should be really interesting.

So, yeah, looking forward to it and hopefully,

after this one goes really well, we can plan our next one.

-Hello, all right?

-Hello, how are you doing?

-I'm good, you?

-Yeah, good, thank you.

-Mwah! Nice to see you again.

-Yeah.

Chris is hoping this will be the perfect setting to let Abbie

know he's interested.

Right, you're going to have to excuse the crushed sandwiches.

That's alright, we've got to eat them.

But there is cheese and ham and egg.

All Chris has to do now is make his move.

But he can't find the moment.

-I'm glad it's sunny. It's actually quite warm sitting here.

-Mmm.

I do like a more fun, you know, activity to just sitting

in the park but it's all right, it's nice, it's nice weather.

It's well sunny.

I don't think it's going as well

as some of the other dates we've been on.

So, yes. I'll help you pack away.

It hasn't gone to plan, and Chris has missed his opportunity.

The things I wanted to talk to Abbie about,

just to get a gauge for where we stand with each other,

I didn't have a great chance to do that today.

I think Abbie's looking for me

to tell her exactly what I'm looking for, and more than anything

give her a bit of reassurance that I'm still interested.

I definitely am, it's just, I think being single for four years,

really, although it sounds quite sad, and I'm a little bit embarrassed to

say it, you've got to sort of really learn to include other people again.

-Well, thanks for today, it was nice.

-That's all right.

-I'm glad you enjoyed my sandwiches.

-They were good.

-Good.

-Well, thank you very much.

-Yeah, thank you.

Mwah! And I'll text you when I get home.

It's goodbye again, and Chris still hasn't told Abbie he's interested.

Maybe next time.

Four months ago, Mel joined this experiment hoping to find her

first proper boyfriend.

So which tree would you like to climb first?

Oh, that one looks good.

Now Chris is looking like a serious contender.

But they're still trying to decide

what to call this "thing" they've got.

-We're definitely seeing each other.

-Yes, OK, yeah.

OK? I don't know what the next one is from that but.

I don't know.

Relationship, I guess.

Uh-huh. OK.

It's getting there, isn't it?

Getting there.

Somewhere between seeing each other and relationship?

-OK, yeah.

-But leaning more towards the latter?

The latter, yeah, I'd agree with that.

It's always good to talk about those things, just for a bit of reassurance

and to make sure that you're both on the same page.

Which, yeah, we are.

I am happy. Happiest that I've been in a long time.

Things seem to be coming together now. Life is good.

-Yay! Made it.

-Go, team!

-Go, team!

As summer comes, Mel and Chris stop worrying

and start enjoying their adventure together.

Yeah, so this is my brand new motorbike jacket. Ta-dah! Woo!

Nice job.

From taking day trips to the country...

-Mel?

-Yeah?

Run like you're on fire.

Aww.

Chris steps up to the plate. He's checking the wind.

She's done it. Nailed it with a strike.

..to learning to windsurf together.

My favourite thing about Mel is she's always really positive.

I think we suit each other quite well in that respect.

Chris makes me laugh.

He's just such a lovely person and he's got a good outlook on life.

Best friends give the relationship the thumbs-up.

Nice to meet you. How are you doing?

I think he's better than her other dates.

He's better-looking than some of them.

But he's more pretty to Mel than some of the other guys.

We're not good enough!

And Mel's even joined Chris in his passion for skydiving.

-All right?

-How you doing?

It's a nice way to spend a Sunday, I guess.

I'm very nervous.

She was a bit nervy on the way in. She's settled down now.

Still not believing it's going to happen.

Oh, my god!

It was so funny to think of myself.

I'm just, like, floating around in the sky.

Well done. You did awesome.

Ah, amazing.

-Let's have a nice cup of tea.

-A nice cup of tea!

-A nice cup of tea.

For Abbie and Chris, things couldn't be more different.

Well, since we've had the picnic, we've not really spoke much.

I didn't think it went that well.

We've been texting a little bit to find out how everyone is and how

we're both feeling but apart from that nothing's really been said.

We've not planned any more dates, so it's a bit disappointing really.

Abbie's rehearsing for a new dancing job

and she's meeting Chris to tell him her news.

Well, there's something I want to tell you.

I have been offered a job to work out in Ayia Napa for five months

and with me going away,

I don't feel like anything can really happen between us.

At the beginning, I'm not going to lie, I did really fancy you

but then, after that picnic, it just kind of fizzled out.

-I didn't know how you feel about me.

-Yeah.

so it seems like we've just become like friends.

I don't think it can progress at the moment. I don't know.

Yeah, well, it can't. Like you say, you're going away anyway, so...

I think even if I wasn't going away,

I still don't think it could have progressed.

It just wasn't meant to be but, you know, a little bit disappointed.

It's just not nice to hear, you know, the fact that

somewhere along the line someone's just lost that attraction for you.

This experiment hasn't really gone the way

we both would have liked it to have gone.

-It's been really nice to meet you.

-And you.

-All right. Take care.

Our first couple of dates went really, really well

but I didn't have a clue what his feelings were like.

Abbie just couldn't wait any longer,

and Chris has learnt a valuable lesson.

If you kind of feel something for someone then, you know,

you have to say, you can't just kind of bottle it up

and expect that the time is going to eventually be right.

You only get one life and you've got to make the most of it

and be honest with people.

It's late autumn, and Chris and Mel have booked a romantic weekend away.

Mel and I are going to Edinburgh for a few days.

Winter coat at the ready.

Passport, I might need that.

Oh, yeah, we're flying to Edinburgh.

I'm really looking forward to it.

It's been a long time coming

and I think it really sort of cements things.

Before they go, Mel's decided Chris is worthy of a great,

and slightly terrifying honour.

This is the first boyfriend that I've ever introduced my Dad to

and I was really nervous at the beginning of today.

Sort myself out.

-Hi.

-Hello.

All right?

-Hi, I'm Chris, nice to meet you.

-And you.

-How are you doing?

How are you doing, you all right? Mwah. Lovely to see you.

-I'm supposed to ask Chris something really.

-Yeah.

You're supposed to grill me, I think. Make me feel uncomfortable.

We've got to start with the easy things.

She only told me today that you're in the process of changing jobs,

so effectively you're unemployed.

Did you have another job to go to?

No, I've been officially unemployed

-for about six weeks, I think.

-Oh, OK.

I think my Dad's grilled him a little bit.

I think he's also got more to come.

I feel like that's just scratching

the surface of the questions that he probably wants to ask.

-You're off to Edinburgh?

-Yes.

One assumes that this is probably

not the first time you've stayed over?

No, the first time we've stayed over in Edinburgh, yes.

-Our first weekend away, yeah.

-First weekend away.

And, albeit at the same hotel, you've had to book separate rooms?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Clearly, you know, she's taken with him and she's happy to do

the things that he wants to do and they seem to be sharing quite a lot.

-Good seeing you, Chris.

-Yeah, great to meet you.

-And see you again soon.

-Yeah, definitely, some time soon.

The fact that this has gone on for quite some months,

and the fact that she's going off to Edinburgh next week,

tends to suggest that it is quite serious.

-See you later.

-Bye.

-Yep. Thanks for coming. Cool.

-So?

-So?

What do you think?

That was fine. There was nothing to worry about.

Yeah, it was all right actually.

Yeah, I think that went a lot better than I thought it would actually.

A couple of awkward questions. He's curious.

-Do you think I passed?

-I think you passed, yeah.

As they head up to Scotland, Mel is getting used to being one

half of a pair for the first time in her life.

-Do you want to take a picture?

-Yes.

Oh, it's cold!

It's the first time that I've been in a serious relationship

with a guy, so that makes it even more significant for me.

I can definitely see myself with him in the long term.

You know, his family have invited me up for Christmas and things.

I think that kind of is an indicator of how serious the relationship is.

-Oh, are you going to buy me a present?

-Yeah. A secret present.

I wouldn't know what size. Medium or...?

Extra large!

I just thought it was going to be a random beer with some girl

who I'd perhaps shake hands and leave and never see again,

but now I have a relationship, so I'm so glad I did it, I am.

CANNON FIRES

Oh, my god! That scared the life out of me!

I've almost got a job sorted. Got a girlfriend.

So heading into the new year with a really positive start.

I just feel a lot happier now.

I just feel like kind of a new lease of life, almost.

We're just happy with each other.

Come here, you.

Next time, we follow more couples

taking part in The Year of Making Love.

He's got nice teeth and nice eyes, so that's a plus.

He came quite fast at me, and kind of lunged forward.

Ah, I can't be dealing with rejection today.

Nigel bought me some flowers. I mean, what more can a girl ask for?

Ended up kissing a bit as well at the end of the night.

Stuart's really liking it, and I heard him

say he might want to come again.

Ah, man, that's a lot of vaginas!

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