First Dates fans fell in love with the show's oldest ever dater – 97-year-old Richard

When First Dates welcomed their oldest ever dater to the restaurant, fans of the show fell in love.

97-year-old Richard arrived at the restaurant looking to share his life with a special lady, and before his date even arrived, he was making short work of getting up on the bar stool, ordering a drink and whipping out his iPhone.

The spritely Second World War veteran ended up on a date with Ruth – a woman nearly 20 years his junior. Which still meant that she was 79 years old.

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Viewers were won over by Richard's smiley disposition, positive outlook and zest for life:

Also in the restaurant was unlucky in love Ian. The science technician was returning for a second shot at finding love after his first date didn't work out. You can see if his second date went any better in the clip below:

First Dates continues Wednesdays on Channel 4 at 10pm