'Fabulous found me love!’

After offering a pile of dishy dads on a plate in January's Date My Daddy competition, we were inundated with applications. And Cupid's arrow certainly didn't miss Debbie when she went on a date with Rhys Williams, 38. Here's her story:

Debbie and Rhys have been inseparable since their date

"When I saw Rhys in Fabulous, I nearly fell off my chair! We'd known each other 20 years ago as teenagers growing up in Luton. He had a Saturday job on a local market stall, and he'd asked me out loads of times, but I always turned him down - he was too cocky and laddish for my liking.

We both lived in Luton, but had lost touch. Until I read his story, I didn't know he'd got married, or that his wife, Ginny, had died of breast cancer. The fact he was coping as a single dad really touched me. I saw what a lovely man he'd become and how much he'd been through. I was impressed that he was getting on with life. And I thought he looked absolutely gorgeous!

Rhys with daughter Ruby

Something in me made me want to get in contact with him, which is incredibly out of character. I never make the first move with men. I got divorced in 2003 after a nine-year relationship, and now find it hard to let my guard down as it was a particularly difficult time for me. But after a few glasses of wine for Dutch courage, I sent off my letter to Fabulous. I never dreamt Rhys would pick me - but he did!

Before the date I was so nervous and it took me ages to get ready, but when I saw Rhys we both smiled and I felt myself blush - he was gorgeous! And there was a definite spark. We had a lovely meal at a local restaurant called Just 32 and talked all night - about everything and anything.

Debbie knew Rhys when they were teenagers

We met up again a few nights later and have hardly been apart since. I've met his children [Rhys has stepkids Scarlett, 18, and Louis, 13, and daughters Megan, nine, and Ruby, three] and we've just had a lovely romantic weekend away in the Hertfordshire countryside.

It's a bit surreal that we're together after all these years, but I'm so happy. Without Fabulous I wouldn't be with such a wonderful man. Will we get married? Just watch this space!"

A 17-year-old Rhys tried his luck with Debbie

Rhys says: "I picked Debbie because I wanted to show her how much I'd changed from that Jack The Lad she once knew. I wasn't nervous, I just couldn't wait to finally take her out after all this time. And she was worth the wait. She looked stunning on our date and I felt like I could really be myself.

Because of my experience of losing Ginny, I've learnt time is precious and you should seize every chance of happiness, and that's exactly what I've done.

After a couple of very sad, negative years, it's fantastic to feel positive about life. I definitely see a future for us. Thanks, Fabulous!"

With special thanks to Just 32 Restaurant (01462 455666; www.just32.com)

PHOTOGRAPHY: SYRIOL JONES HAIR & MAKE-UP: SARA BOWDEN DEBBIE WEARS: DRESS, NEW LOOK RHYS WEARS: SHIRT, BURTON

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