An allegedly interested colleague

[Emelee]

I work in a fairly social environment, have a good few friends at work. There's been more churn than usual in recent years so some new faces too. I am in mid middle age, divorced, not dating and not really looking for anything.
A colleague I'm reasonably friendly with (admittedly she's something of a stirrer) told me that a younger, single, male colleague is supposedly interested in me.
I'm quite surprised at this. It might not even be true. He's perfectly friendly and we've often spoken warmly, and he sometimes seeks me out at post work social events. No overt move made. In all honesty I can't say I have no feelings of attraction to him, although some other colleagues speculated he may be gay. So I don't know what to do. He hasn't said anything. I'm not sure he'd be the type to do so anyway being reserved.
Might be a bad idea anyway, workplaces being what they are, and I'm not sure he's likely to be interested in a woman 10+ years his senior.

Well, you already know your colleagues talk about this, assuming the person who told you he is interested hasn't come to that idea on her own. From what you've said, she's probably asked others. That's to be expected if your work place has a particularly social vibe.

But if he is interested and you started a relationship, how would you feel about it being played out on the work "stage"? A lot of relationships start at work but are often kept quiet, partly because people don't want their relationship to be "watched" in the early days when it might flounder. It doesn't seem you would have that option as you are both already being watched. And as you've mentioned the age difference, I think you know that will make it more interesting to watch. How would you feel about being office entertainment?

More importantly, if you are in a senior position to him, just don't go there because even if he doesn't report to you directly there would still be an imbalance of power.

She's a known stirrer. You're not really attracted to him. This is just hearsay. Why do you feel you need to do anything other than carry on as if she said nothing?

This. Nothing needs ‘doing’.

"In all honesty I can't say I have no feelings of attraction to him"

And then...

"So I don't know what to do."

Why do you have to do anything?

Oh wait, you said you can't say you have no feelings of attraction to him.

So are you attracted?

Bit confusing the way you wrote it lol.

Yes, I find him attractive

She sounds horrible and could be trying to get you in trouble. I'd not do anything based on something a known stirrer said.

Don’t shit where you eat.

Don't do anything. She just wants some drama.

This is all a bit playground isn’t it. I’ve known more mature ten year olds than this woman.

Don’t listen to her, if he’s interested he will find a way to tell you himself.