“As long as the Empire State Building [or] bigger than the whole universe itself”. That’s how much 23-year-old postman, Sam, says he wants to find love, or specifically, the second date that has been alluding him. He has Asperger Syndrome which he says makes dating awkward, and in the past he’s been too confident and forward on first dates to the point where he’s never been on a second.

“Finding love would definitely make my life complete, but how to find it is going to be a mystery…one of the Sodoku puzzles that takes a while,’ he says. When he finds a date in 23-year-old Amy, who also has Asperger’s, a form of autism, he endeavours to take things slowly. The pair got on well after meeting at a café and going on to a trampoline centre, and as they parted, Amy agreed to see Sam again. “Finding the pot of gold is amazing,” said Sam.

Sam’s strategy for date number two at a local diner was to play it cool and avoid using the terms ‘gf’ or ‘bf’ (girlfriend or boyfriend). But when the subject of a third date came up, he couldn’t help himself. Amy agreed to meet up again but asked if they could take things slowly, assuring Sam that it wasn’t intended as a rejection. “Mission accomplished,” said Sam. “I feel like I could go to Pluto and back and still smile.”

38-year-old photographer Ian from Southend-On-Sea is in a hurry to find someone to share his life with. Usher Syndrome, a degenerative eye condition means he’s been gradually losing his sight since birth. And with only 8% of his sight remaining, he’s eager, after two years of the single life, to meet someone “before the curtains close”.

“Life’s drifting past and I’ve only got one opportunity of being on this planet and I want to fulfill it,” he says. “I want companionship, friendship, a buddy to hang out with and have fun.”

Christine from Flame Introductions went along to meet Ian to find out what kind of girl he’d like to meet. Later, Ian met up with Charlotte, who, like him has been single for two years. Though they got on well, Ian later decided that there wasn’t much of a spark between them - but said that the experience had given him newfound confidence to begin dating again.

Ian, photographer from Essex

Christine, Founder of Flame Introductions.

In addition to her narcolepsy – a condition that means her brain is unable to regulate its sleep/waking cycle – 19-year-old Kate from Loughborough has cataplexy. This means that she can lose muscle control during strong emotions, particularly laugher. Despite the fact that a fit of the giggles could make her collapse, she says that “funny is important” in a guy (especially if they also “look like Channing Tatum”).

After recently splitting with her childhood sweetheart of three years, Kate is ready to find love again, although is understandably nervous that the pressure could result in her falling asleep or collapsing during a first date. Step forward “tall, handsome and funny” student, Josh. He kept his cool when Kate took a nap in the back of a cab on the way to the pub, and managed to avoid telling any jokes too hilarious. At the end of the date he asked for Kate's number… Watch this space. 

This roundup refers to the first episode of series six, which first aired at 9pm on Channel 4 on Monday 2nd January 2017. Watch it on catch up until 24th February 2017.

If you have a mild disability and would like to learn more about Flame Introductions' specialist dating service, request a callback from our team of professional matchmakers today.