A FOOTBALL club’s number one fan believes he could be on the path to true love after appearing on a TV show.

James Beardwell, 32, has won a legion of his own fans after starring in Channel 4’s The Undateables.

The documentary follows men and women who have been unlucky in love due to disabilities and other problems.

Supermarket worker James, who has a learning disability, was paired with fellow 32-year-old Claire, who he took on a date to a London bar.

He said: “It was amazing. It’s been ten long years since I had a girlfriend. I’m just so happy that I have finally got a new date.”

On the show, Eastenders fan James took Claire to a rooftop bar, where the pair chatted nervously before James broke the ice with a spot-on impression of Ian Beale, sending his date into a fit of giggles.

The date went so well enthusiastic James, who also does uncanny versions of Dot Branning and Phil Mitchell, even got down on one knee to ask Claire to be his girlfriend.

She accepted and the pair were shown on a second date at an ice rink.

Braintree and Witham Times:

James, who describes himself as the Witham Town Ultra, said: “We are keeping in touch at the moment. We are texting each other and seeing how we are getting on.

“Hopefully, fingers crossed, we will get to go on a third date.

“When I did the Ian Beale impression I absolutely laughed at it as well.

“I also did the other impressions, I absolutely cracked up laughing when I watched myself.”

The documentary also showed popular James watching a game at Witham Town’s Spa Road ground, celebrating a goal with the players.

He said: “I’m a die-hard Witham Town supporter and I call myself the Witham Town Ultra. I go to home and away matches and I stay loyal through the good times and the bad times.

“I think people are going to recognise me a little bit more now and I will hopefully meet some fans and do some selfies with them.

“It was a great experience and it gives me a huge confidence boost.”