Your Life: REAL STORIES: Love me, love my children; WOULD YOU LET YOUR KIDS CHOOSE WHO YOU GO OUT WITH? THAT'S WHAT SINGLE PARENTS STEVE AND LINA DID FOR A NEW BBC SHOW. HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED...(Features) - The Mirror (London, England)

Byline: BY JANE SIMON

I still fancy a Goldie Hawn

Salesman Steve Isaacs, 47, lives in Guildford, Surrey. He was married for 18 years and since he separated from his wife, Clare, three years ago, his four children, Jess, 13, Zack, 11, Josh, nine, and six-year-old Jason spend every other night at his home. Steve's kids chose 38-year-old mum-of-three Amanda Greig and Celia Boss, 39, who fronts a disco tribute band.

STEVE: The problem adults have is that our picture of an ideal partner stays with us from when we were a teenager. I still expect to go out with a young Goldie Hawn lookalike.

So kids are probably better at judging who we might get on with than we are ourselves.

To be honest, if it had been me making the initial choice and not the kids, I might have thought Amanda wasn't my type physically.

My initial impression of her was that pink hair and I couldn't imagine taking her to meet my mum. But she has a fantastic personality and that's more important than being a size 10.

There was a chemistry between me and Celia but we had no privacy whatsoever because of the TV crew. The sound recordist even slept in the house to make sure nothing happened.

I've seen them both since the show finished. Celia turned out to be quite bossy and wanted to change me. As for Amanda, we're taking it slowly.

But whatever happens, doing the show was a real confidence boost after being on my own for so long. I didn't think anyone would want to take me on.

My kids found two women I could have a laugh with. I think they did a great job.

We love singing and sport, so I don't want a couch potato

Lina Roma, 36, from Middlesex, is a full-time drama student and mum to Taja, 16, and Quayz, 10. Lina's children chose 28- year-old civil engineer Chris Nsubuga, and 32-year-old poet Steve Rock.

LINA: I've made some weird choices in my past relationships, so I thought I'd let the kids choose.

I could see why they picked Chris. He's got the physique I like, but I thought he might be a bit boring for me.

I decided to give him a chance but my first instinct turned out to be right. Chris did moan when we tried to get him dancing or to do karaoke.

It's important that I meet someone who's into the same things as my family. There are 24 hours in a day, so we don't want a couch potato.

My kids made quite a mature choice with Steve. They thought he'd be good for me because he's very calm - whereas I'm quite wild.

There was a bit of a spark there and he was prepared to let his hair down.

But Steve's idea of a good time was to write a poem about the weekend. Talk about bring the mood down.

I saw him a few times after the show, but he changed. He'd sound sleepy on the phone and I'd be thinking: 'This is going to be an exciting conversation. Not.'

So even though my kids did their best, I'm still looking.LINA'S DAUGHTER TAJA

It was funny being the one telling Mum who she was allowed to go out with instead of her telling me.

She is pretty and bubbly and doesn't have any problem attracting guys, but she goes for good-looking guys who aren't very nice as people.

We thought Chris would be perfect. He came into the interview wearing an orange wig, he's a body builder and really into health and fitness, so they'd have that in common.

All weekend Chris couldn't stop looking at Mum. But he seemed uncomfortable with us.

She only gave him five out of 10.

We weren't sure about Steve at first, but Mum blatantly liked him because she couldn't stop laughing.

It's a shame she didn't like either of the dates as much as they liked her.'

DATE 1: CHRIS

Chris Nsubuga, 28, civil engineer

Lina's a special woman and if I'm chosen I'll be very happy. But it's hard when you're being watched by the children of someone you're trying to impress.

Karaoke was very uncomfortable for me because I can't sing, and I couldn't handle the dance class.

DATE 2: STEVE

Steve Rock, 32, from Berkshire, is an inspirational poet.

I was nervous about being interviewed by two kids and they were very inquisitive - which you'd expect if you're going to date their mother.

It was the first date I've been on where I was expected to show my moves on a kids' dance mat or go ice-skating, which I'd never done before.

But I'm always willing to try new things.

Lina's an attractive lady but I don't think I had a big effect on her physically.

She's very vibrant and extrovert and I'm much quieter and calmer. I do t'ai chi and meditation, whereas Lina does karate and aerobics.

On our last TV date, Lina gave me a tender kiss - but that was as passionate as it got.

Her kids were great, and I was definitely more attracted to her than she was to me.

But you can't be everybody's cup of tea.

STEVE'S DAUGHTER, JESS

My brothers and I really wanted our dad to meet someone new because I reckon he gets lonely when we're not here. We were looking for someone similar to our mum - blonde with blue eyes and fun.

But we couldn't believe some of the 20 women who showed up for the speed-dating. Some were way too old for my dad. One looked like a man with a wig on. And when we asked if they could do any interesting tricks, one of the women took her teeth out. That was awful.

We thought dad would like Celia because she was happy to sing and dance for us and was quite young and pretty.

And my brothers thought Amanda was cool because she had pink streaks in her hair and liked The Simpsons. But when she turned up at the house, she'd dyed her hair completely pink which we knew dad would hate.

My dad's embarrassing when he tries to chat up women. We told him: 'Be yourself, don't be an idiot.' But I don't think he listened.

DATE 1: AMANDA

Amanda Greig, 38, from Surrey, is a business assistant for a TV outdoor broadcasting company. She's been divorced for six years and has three sons of her own: Aidan, 12, Douglas, 10 and Lewis, six.

I was told a panel of judges would interview me for this date. So when I saw Steve's kids my initial reaction was 'Oh my God - children!'

They were looking for different qualities in a woman than their dad. Then again, the youngest did ask me how big my boobs were.

The fact I have kids myself was a big plus in my favour and although the process was quite tongue-in-cheek for TV it's actually not such a bad way of picking a partner.

Steve doesn't look the sort of bloke I'd normally go for and I'm sure he felt the same about me at first.

But once we got to know each other we both started to change our minds. Anyone who can make me laugh like Steve did is in with a chance.

We've seen each other a few times since the show, but I don't think either of us is in a hurry to get married again.

Where would we put all those kids for starters?

DATE 2: CELIA

Celia Boss, 39, says:

Steve's nice but a bit of a dinosaur. His attitude to Women's Lib is prehistoric!

This family needs someone who's a bit of a disciplinarian in their lives. I think I know who that person is.

CAPTION(S):

ASK THE FAMILY: Steve and his four children; DANCING DATE: Poet Steve Rock with Quayz and Taja and their mum, Lina; IN THE PINK: Steve's children chose candy-haired Amanda