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The TV programmes proven to improve your chances this Valentine's day

Online research, conducted by YouGov for TV Licensing, has revealed watching some TV programmes are definite turn-ons, whilst others are definite turn-offs.

With UK adults watching four hours of TV a day on average1, couples on their first date can turn to television programmes to find common ground. But could revealing the shows you love mean you won’t get a second date?

The ‘TellyTractiveness’ survey exposes the TV that will improve or hinder your chances this Valentine’s Day. When asked to choose, QI proved to be the biggest TV turn-on, with a third of men (33 per cent) surveyed and nearly a third of women (29 per cent) saying they would be attracted to someone who said they were a fan of the comedy panel quiz hosted by Stephen Fry.

Women with an interest in driving and motor sports are in good company, as 24 per cent of men say they would be attracted to a partner who watches Top Gear. Men, on the other hand, who don’t want to hear ‘you’re fired’ from their date, would do well to show their entrepreneurial side as over a quarter (27 per cent) of women find watching The Apprentice attractive in their potential partners.

For TV love advice this Valentine’s Day, follow TV Licensing’s very own ‘TV Love Guru’, aka Russell Grant, to be enlightened on YouTube and Twitter how your viewing habits could be affecting your love life.
 

Nicole Fuller, TV Licensing spokesperson, said:

TV has the power to bring us together, and the survey shows how those big TV shows can help break the ice on a first date.

If you are looking for love in 2015, make sure you have a TV Licence. Getting caught without one could mean a date with a magistrate and a fine of up to a £1,000
 

The survey also revealed over a third of Strictly Come Dancing’s male fan-base (34 percent) would be most attracted to those who enjoyed Match of the Day. But female fans of the X Factor find reality television magnetic in their prospective partners, with nearly half (48 per cent) wanting to talk Britain’s Got Talent and over a quarter (27 per cent) asking to banter about Big Brother on a first date.

So if QI, Question Time and The Apprentice have us tuning in to our dates, what are the programmes which cause us to tune out?

Two programmes stood out as ones to avoid talking about on a first date; The Only Way is Essex and Keeping up with the Kardashians. Over six-in-ten (63 per cent) of respondents said they would be turned off by viewers of TOWIE, whilst almost the same number again (60 per cent) would walk away from a fan of Kim & Co.

‘Private programmes’- the much loved shows people don’t want to admit to watching - had some obvious mentions. Great British Railway Journeys, Embarrassing Bodies, and Jeremy Kyle featured, but so did a surprising number of children’s programmes including Shaun the Sheep, Spongebob Squarepants, Postman Pat, and Peppa Pig.

In order to flaunt their TellyTractiveness, many singletons are using dating websites as a way of boosting their Valentine’s Day chances.

Brett Harding, from dating website Lovestruck, offers this advice on building a successful TellyTractive profile:

Looking at the research by TV Licensing and the surveying of 3,000 profiles on the Lovestruck website, we can see television plays an important part when people are looking for love. Get it wrong and you could find yourself fighting over the remote on the second date.

Daters should reflect their personality with the TV programmes they name on their profile. Pretending to watch something you have no interest in will only lead to trouble on your date. Be honest, but don’t say you watch Jeremy Kyle - keep that one to yourself.
 

Statistics provided by dating website Lovestruck revealed:

  • 44 per cent of women admit to watching soaps as opposed to only 19 per cent of men.
  • A mention of EastEnders is followed with an apology from 21 per cent female member profiles.
  • Game of Thrones is enjoyed by both sexes, with nearly one-in-four (39 per cent) of men referencing it and almost a third of women (32 per cent).
  • Animated TV comedies, such as The Simpsons and Family Guy, are only occasionally mentioned within profiles - just 11 per cent.
  • 22 per cent of men allude to Take Me Out in their narratives….'no likey, no lighty' and 12 per cent of women begin their dating profile with 'Single man, reveal yourself!'
 
[1] Ofcom - The Communications Market 2014 (August) report

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