Blind date - we play matchmaker

If we've learned one thing from Channel 4 show First Dates, it's that even if the initial outing between two strangers doesn't spark true romance, it can at least bring a bit of amusement. We like amusement. A lot. So, with that in mind, here at Weekend we wanted to see if our own matchmaking skills were up to scratch.

We were keen to eradicate the use of the internet, of flattering selfies and inane web chat, and simply put two single babes together in a room for the first time.

With the help of Hotel La Tour in Birmingham, we found the perfect venue; dinner in the evening sunlight at the hotel's Aalto restaurant for two. An acoustic set from local band Bear would create the soundtrack to the evening, with the gorgeous vocal tone of Wolverhampton singer Faye Smith setting a relaxed scene.

And we'd be there too, hiding around the corner and giggling a bit at our own Cupid-like genius. We just needed to find the perfect pair to fix up.

Him

Before the date, Lewis says: "I'm not nervous. Well, kind of. I'm more nervous of the situation. I haven't been on a blind date before but if you're online dating you find that no one looks like their pictures anyway.

"I've been single for five or six months. Relationships fade out at the end don't they, so I'm not sure where it ended really. It's a little bit exciting actually, I don't get nervous – it's all just a little performance isn't it?

"I'm looking for a friend and a partner in crime. I do want to get married and have kids, now I'm a little bit older. I've been on hundreds of disastrous dates. I should write a blog. No sex in the city! I've blocked quite a lot of them out of my mind!"

After the date, Lewis says: "She's a really nice girl, chatty and friendly. I don't know if I fancy her yet. She is pretty. She's interested in subjects that I wasn't expecting and we spoke about places we'd both visited in America, music we both like and wrestling too.

"Our lifestyles are very different. She doesn't drink and I'm a rockstar. She probably wouldn't approve of my lifestyle!

"There was no awkward silences – she knows how to talk. There was no flirting and I didn't feel like she was interested in me in a romantic way. Maybe that goes both ways – perhaps under a different circumstance it'd be different? That illusive spark just wasn't there.

"It was nice to spend a few hours talking to someone you wouldn't talk to normally. Jo had unexpected strong opinions on things such as politics, music and other things. There's nothing worse than meeting someone who has no opinion on what has shaped their life.

"I couldn't think of anything that I didn't like – she was a very charming and intelligent woman.

"I had a pleasant evening but I don't think we'll see each other again. If we did, it'd take effort on both parts as she lives quite far away. The spark just wasn't there to justify the effort, I don't think.

"I wouldn't be opposed to it – but I'll leave that up to the female part of the equation!"

Her

Before the date, Joanna says: "This is unusual for me because I don't date very often. I have a busy life and I'm extremely fussy. There needs to be a passion there that you just can't fake.

"I've been single technically for around 10 years, though I have dated people for months at a time during that. Nothing serious though. I've done a lot of dating; enough to know exactly what I want and exactly what I don't.

"I've had my heart broken during the last 10 years, and have had unexplainable chemistry with someone too.

"I have a full time job as a HR business partner and I also have a second job as a wrestling personality which I hope will become my full-time focus in the future. I'm a huge fan of fitness and can squat a fully-grown man! That's my party trick.

"Blind dates don't really exist any more. With sites such as Plenty of Fish and Tinder you find that people aren't always who they say they are. Sometimes they'll have a girlfriend or be married already! So I've got my doubts.

"I'm still friends with my most recent love interest, but I'm not in love any more. I believe that true love lasts a lifetime, so that's not what this was. It has raised the bar though, and it leaves me hopeful for love in the future.

"I'm looking for the usual; someone with the same interests that wants the same things our of life. Someone that can be a best friend as well as anything else. I'm not going to lie, there has to be a physical chemistry there too, and there's no way of explaining that. It's either there or it isn't."

After the date, Joanna says: "Lewis is a very affectionate and sweet guy that's well dressed. He got up and kissed my cheek when I arrived which was lovely. It was a great choice for a first date – there was nice lighting, lovely food, dreamy music and it was upmarket. If someone took me there for a first date again I'd be pleased.

"I don't know if Lewis fancied me – there were no obvious signs. He's an intelligent man and there were a few times we really clicked, like when I said I knew the band Stuck Mojo and he showed me that he had them on his playlist. We both knew the words.

"It was like two friends having a great conversation. There wasn't a huge chemistry straight off the bat. I don't mind that he's into partying – as long as people respect that it's not who I am it's not a problem.

"At first it did feel like we were thrown together, but as I relaxed into it I almost forgot it was set-up.

"Lewis has an artistic nature and we have that in common. We clicked on politics and have the same sort of political leaning.

"We clicked on the fitness stuff too. We've both come from chubbier backgrounds and now we've become gym bunnies.

"I'm a big fan of facial hair and Lewis is nicely dressed and well presented. He seemed interested in what I had to say and I hope he thought I was interested in him too, as I certainly was. Also, he's a non-smoker with nice teeth!

"There's nothing I didn't like about him. I'd definitely meet up with him again. Worse case scenario, you've made a good friend. My mum always tells me to give things a go, so there's nothing I'd write off."

What happened next?

Lewis and Joanna shared a hug and said goodbye without swapping numbers. Afterwards, Joanna and Lewis became Facebook friends and had a conversation away from the prying eyes of Weekend.

However, at the time of writing, Lewis hadn't heard anything further from Joanna, so we're yet to find out whether we've created the perfect match. Perhaps Lewis is your picture perfect man? Or has Joanna wrestled with your heartstrings? Let us know – maybe their next dream date will be with you!