Never been kissed: Charlotte Baird has only been on two dates in the last ten years.
Like a lot of young girls, Charlotte Baird promised herself she wouldn't sleep with a man unless he was 'the one'.
But aged 11, she didn't anticipate it would take over 30 years to meet him.
The theatre manager, from Leigh-On-Sea, Essex, turns 40 in May - and has never even been kissed.
Life imitating art: The 40-year-old virgin sees Andy (played by Steve Carell) attempting to woo Trish (played by Catherine Keener) without admitting he has never had sex.
But rather than despair at her celibacy, Charlotte claims she loves her life, has many supportive friends and is proud to be a virgin.
Still hopeful though, she is looking for a tall, responsible, young-at-heart animal lover.
While her criteria seems reasonable, Charlotte appears to be having a hard time finding the right man.

She revealed she has only been on two dates in the last ten years. But Charlotte, who claims she doesn't want children, is in no rush.

She told The Sun: 'Being celibate suits me and, as I have never had sex, I don't miss it.'

'I love my life and just because I haven't "done the deed" it doesn't make me weird.'
For support, Charlotte joined Celibrate, a group promoting abstinence which counts 60,000 members.

While her reasons have nothing to do with religion, she maintains remaining a virgin keeps her in control of her life.

She said: 'I've seen so many girls get their hearts broken because they have given themselves to someone who doesn't appreciate them.

'Living a life of celibacy makes me feel secure and in control of my life.'

The former actress, who attended a convent school as a child and still goes to church, insists her choice has nothing to do with a fear of intimacy - as some experts have suggested.

She said: 'Some people have suggested that I'm hiding behind celibacy to avoid pain, but I'm not. I just have a conviction that this is the right thing to do.

'People assume it's religious fervour or because I've had an abusive childhood, but I can assure you it isn't.
'It is often difficult for people to comprehend that a celibate lifestyle is a conscious decision and not the aftermath of a traumatic relationship or an in-between phase of the lovelorn or needy.'

So how do men feel when Charlotte, who is open about her lack of relationship experience, reveals she is celibate?
She said: 'I've been for the odd night out with a few guys I've met through friends. I feel it's important to make them aware of the situation at the outset.
'In a way I'm shooting myself in the foot by telling them straight away rather than waiting until further down the line when they might be emotionally involved. But I like to be straight with people; it seems only fair.

'It has driven men away. There has been the odd one who has thought I would change my mind in time, but when they realise I mean it they have disappeared off the scene.