Page3.com

Blind dates - just like the TV show they're light on laughs, go on too long and are a waste of quality drinking time.

But there are exceptions - a date with Page3.com star Jodie Shaw for one.

That's what Tom Murton got after winning our Night Out with Jodie competition.

"She's absolutely stunning," he finally squeaked after regaining his voice when they met at the Page3.com HQ before being whisked off to top restaurant Zilli Fish in London's West End.

Tom's speechless - so he says it with flowers.

Jodie guides Tom through the top site on the Net.

"I thought she looked amazing in the photographs but she's even sexier in real life."

Tom, a 21 year old senior test engineer for computer giants Eidos Interactive, won his dream date by coming up with the best chat-up line as the tie-breaker for our competition.

The big moment came in the Merc when he tried it on Jodie.

Leaning towards her Tom purred: "Girl you must be a parking ticket - because you've got fine written all over you."

Jodie creased up with laughter and giggled: "That is good! you've got to give someone who comes up with a line like that a chance."

With the ice broken the pair were soon locked deep in coversation until there was an exclamation of amazement from Tom - when he discovered Jodie lived just five minutes walk from his south London home - and they even shared the same local.

For a minute he looked gutted and moaned: "I can't believe I've never seen you round - I must have been walking around with my eyes shut."

Tom's in heaven - In the back of a Merc with a beaming Jodie and her flowers.

Tom and Jodie share a romantic moment.

But as they started chatting about the same haunts Tom came back to life again with a vengeance and the Page3.com team breathed a collective sigh of relief that the date was going well.

By the time they bowled up at Zilli Fish in SoHo a swagger in Tom's stride suggested they'd known each other for years.

Restaurant general manager Nino personally greeted them both as waiters and diners eyed our winner with undisguised looks of pea-green envy.

Champagne flowed accompanied by a sumptuous three course feast as Tom did his best impression of the cat who got the cream.

All too soon the brandys were served and finished before Tom and Jodie retired to the exclusive EGO bar for cocktails.

There was time for a little small talk before Jodie vanished into the night leaving Tom with a kiss - and a very happy memory.

Afterwards he couldn't stop talking about her.

He said: "I've always had a soft spot for Jodie - she looks absolutely amazing in the Page3.com shots of her. But she's even more sexy in real life and has a great personality.

"All the lads at work were gutted when they discovered I'd won the competition - especially the one who told me about it.

Tom misunderstood Jodie's B-randy request.

The fish supper's left Tom gutted...it's nearly time to go home.

"I worked really hard to come up with an original chat-up line and thought I could be in with a chance but I was on Cloud Nine when I found out I'd won.

"Admittedly I was a bag of nerves before the date but Jodie was really easy to get on with.

"I could have kicked myself when I found out she only lives a few streets away from me - but it did help to break the ice.

"Personality is what really attracts me to a girl and Jodie not only looks amazing but is a really nice girl too. I'd love to meet up with her for a drink so I'll just keep my fingers crossed that she gets in touch."

We spoke to Jodie after to see what she really thought of Tom. And you can relax fella - she liked you.

Jodie said: "Tom's pick-up line made me laugh so I was hoping he'd be a fun guy to be with.

"I really go for blokes with a good sense of humour and I had a great night with Tom. He is very easy to chat to and there were no awkward silences.

"The staff at Zilli Fish were brilliant - they made us feel very welcome and relaxed which helped.

"But Tom is a lovely guy and a real gentleman and I hope he enjoyed the night out as much as I did."

So is this the beginning of a beautiful friendship?

Jodie smiled and said: "I am single at the moment but unfortunately my modelling takes me all over the world which doesn't leave much time for a social life.

"But you never know. Tom lives nearby so I wouldn't be too surprised if we ran into each other again."

The lesson here? Never dismiss a blind date.


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