WITH Netflix's Tindler Swindler terrifying viewers and hundreds of "proud catfishes" showing their make-up transformations on TikTok, singletons are rightly suspicious of their dates right now.

But what happens when the shoe is on the other foot?

Callum Flanagan has been single for six years and says his good looks make it seriously difficult to date.

The 32-year-old maths teacher, from Windsor, is a long-term Tinder user who tells Fabulous: "My looks tend to get in the way of dating.

"I’m quite often asked if I'm real, which probably sounds a bit arrogant, but I think it’s more indicative of what the majority of women expect from guys these days.

"If you’re a good looking guy who’s well groomed, you’ve got a good job, you’re confident but respectful, I think that can sometimes raise an eyebrow like ‘what’s the catch here?’

"Lots of women think you’re straight up lying. Sometimes I'm accused of being a catfish who’s stolen someone else’s pictures.

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"I get it, I'm sure most people who use dating apps have a catfish story, or at least know someone who does, so people are cautious these days. But there's nothing fake about my profile."

Callum, who's longest relationship was six months, says he would prefer to meet dates in person but admits the apps are convenient when he's working long hours.

He explains: "The reaction is a bit of a shame. Sometimes people assume I'm self-centred or narcissistic – because I have photos of me in the gym and topless on the beach.

"People say ‘you’re very good looking’, ‘too good to be true’ or they’ll ask ‘are you real?’

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"You can only express so much of your personality through an app, there's no depth.

"I've got quite a lot of photos on Tinder but no bio, which I imagine is quite disconcerting for women.

"They must think ‘can this guy not come up with a few sentences about himself?’ and wonder if I’m fake.

"But there’s nothing underhand going on, I just find bios really cringe-worthy."

I’m quite often asked if I'm real, which probably sounds a bit arrogant. But if you’re a good looking guy who’s well groomed, I think that can sometimes raise an eyebrow

Despite this reaction, Callum will continue to post the same types of pics – because it's important to show he takes care of himself.

He explains: "I think teaching is a wonderful profession and something I'm very passionate about.

"But teachers can work long hours and self-care can suffer as a result.

"It’s always been important to me to separate career and personal life, to prioritise me-time and self care.

"I make sure I’m getting to the gym, following a skin routine, eating well, dedicating time to interests like fashion and finance.

We all have that impression of teachers being a bit older, a bit miserable, a bit dull. And I like to think that's not the case with me

"That all adds up to looking and feeling good. I want to show that’s a part of my personality.

"I think a lot of people associate my job with someone older and a bit unkempt, which I understand, because teachers work such long hours.

"Also, lots of people have had a miserable experience at school or encounters with an awful teacher.

"We all have that impression of teachers being a bit older, a bit miserable, a bit dull. And I like to think that's not the case with me.

"I'm not saying there's a stigma, but it can be quite dislocating when I tell women I'm a maths teacher. They don’t quite know how to take it.

"In combination with my looks, a lot of them think something doesn’t add up, if you’ll excuse the pun."

Callum is sticking with the dating apps and is still hopeful of finding love.

He says: "I get asked ‘are you picky?’ a lot, because I'm still single. I don’t think I am, although I have self-respect.

"In the past, I've had lots of female friends try to set me up on dates, but the blind dating thing isn't really for me.

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"I used to get frustrated with the apps, but now I realise they're reflective of a changing world. We bank online, we shop online, why shouldn't we date online as well?

"Once I had that realisation, I started to take it with a pinch of salt and enjoy it more. I know I'll find The One eventually."

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