Wordplay your way to your partner’s heart

One of the most important traits for singles searching for love is a sense of humour – but it must be the right kind, according to new research released today. Brits with wordplay skills are most attractive to a partner, while four in 10 people were put off a second date if a prospective partner made a crude joke and only one in nine people found toilet humour attractive.

The research from data scientists at eharmony– who studied 1,500 members – explored the impact each type of humour had on overall levels of attraction and compatibility. Physical humour, which includes jokes involving pranks or making someone jump is the most unattractive to prospective partners.

However, what people mean when they say they would like to find a partner with a “good sense of humour” is that they want someone with a compatible sense of humour. Compatible senses of humour may not last forever, unfortunately. Those in the first few years of their relationship are more likely to appreciate their other half’s humour, with six in 10 (60 per cent) finding their partner funny. While those who are married tend to be less impressed – just 40 per cent still think their husband or wife has a good sense of humour, proving that jokes really do get old.

Aston spoke to Rachael Lloyd, relationship expert at eharmony to discuss the research and Rachael also offered advice on what is popular on a date today.