Beautiful, fashionable couple wearing sunglassesOnline dating is a tricky business. No matter how attractive the profile sounds, that tall, dark and chiselled guy will more than likely turn out to be a little on the disappointing side.

But then, you probably haven't tried beautifulpeople.com.

Originally launched in Denmark, beautifulpeople.com has since opened in several countries including Britain, the USA and Japan. But as of this week it's set to go global.

Applicants to the site must submit a photograph of themselves that is then rated by existing members to decide whether they match up to their high standards.

As attractive as a dating site crammed with 180,000 gorgeous guys and gals sounds, it's worth bearing in mind that only one in five applications is successful.

There has been criticism that a site that excludes the not-so-fair among us is superficial.

Greg Hodge, managing director of the site, disagrees (obviously). He told the Telegraph: "Is it shallow to want to be with someone you're attracted to? If you are in a bar or a club and you are going to approach someone, you'll approach someone you're attracted to. There's nothing shallow in that."

Although technically that would seem like the definition of shallow, Greg continues: "People are fed up wasting time and money meeting unattractive people on the net."

Which we're guessing is true. And for the lucky people who are successful, the promise of "glamorous parties, a jet-set global network" and "potential contracts from top modelling agencies" might be all the encouragement they need.

The question is could you handle the truth? Let us know what you think.