One in five singletons admit to secretly taking a friend out on a date

More than half of those who have had their pal show up in secret — and six in 10 prefer debriefing with their pals over the actual date

Singletons give “plus one” a whole new meaning as one in five admit to taking a friend on a date, a study has found.

A survey of 2,000 single adults who have been actively dating in the past five years found that half of them (51%) had their pal secretly show up locally.

Another 48% wish they could take their buddies out on dates – and 59% enjoy the introduction and dating debriefs with friends more than the event itself.

And a pal’s involvement starts from the beginning, with nearly three-quarters (72%) of singles seeking the opinion of friends and family before even saying “yes” to a romantic endeavor.

While friends are the most common choice for courtship counseling (50%), co-workers (28%) and siblings (23%) are also popular confidants.

And 59% said supportive friends and family make them feel more confident as they navigate the dating world.

It also turned out that it takes more than two people to facilitate a date other than the dater himself.

This includes the friends who boost confidence (59%) or offer advice on outfits (24%), and even the strangers who make you smile along the way (24%).

Following the results, Plenty of Fish, which commissioned the study, teamed up with author and poet Charly Cox to create “thank you notes” – a digital poetry collection based on the real-life dating stories of British singles, with a nod of thanks to those who played an unexpected role in their quest for love.

Dating expert Kate MacLean said: “Sometimes we get so caught up in the desired outcome of a date that we forget about those who are helping us get there.

“Dating is a journey, and it’s the people around us, our support circles, that can help take the pressure off.

“Creating ‘thank you’ notes is a celebration of dating and the unexpected charm found in the journey.”

The study also found that these “date partners” extend beyond family and friends – 31% seek love advice from strangers they meet on the road or on the way to work.

Restaurant staff (14%), taxi drivers (13%), bartenders (13%), baristas (10%) and train attendants (11%) were also cited as boosting confidence for bright-eyed singletons before a date.

It also found that even ex-boyfriends play a role, with 16% confiding in a former partner before dating.

More than two-thirds (69%) of those surveyed via OnePoll were encouraged by their buddies to date someone who isn’t their usual guy.

But 85% have learned more from flops than from successful ones.

Preparations and preliminary talks with friends start on average two days before the main event.

The most popular rituals include sharing information about their romantic interest (32%), checking social media (30%) and getting recommendations for date locations (27%).

When it comes to live updates, 45% of singletons text during the date, while 38% make it as far as calling a friend.

On average, single people spend two hours talking to friends about an upcoming date, with 59% feeling more confident doing so, while 30% said it helps calm their nerves.

Charly Cox added: “I have loved translating people’s journeys and experiences of relationship life into poetry – and giving a well-deserved tribute to these unsung heroes who play such a big part in the early stages.

“It was wonderful to celebrate the everyday interactions that can positively impact our lives.

“This collection of poems is a wonderful reminder to enjoy the process, find joy in the nuances and capture the people you meet along the way – whether in your search for love or elsewhere.”