First Dates Ireland viewers were left reeling after one particular date last night ended in an extremely awkward exchange.
Producers set 31-year-old Hayley from Cork up with signmaker Evan, who is 33 and from the same county.
The pair seemed to hit it off from the get-go, but fans of the show began to question Hayley’s motives when she admitted she wanted to go travelling soon.
Despite the chemistry on-screen between the pair, when Hayley was asked if she wanted to go on another date with Evan, she responded by saying she sees him as more of a friend.
In the post-date interviews, Hayley said: "On my side, I would like to meet as friends."
To which Evan replied: "I'm not really looking for a friend at the moment so sorry but..
"Yeah, I didn't come here for friendship. I would have said yes to another date."
People were left reeling online, with one viewer saying: “I hope they have a number I can ring at the end. Two things really affected me tonight, Ciano's outfit and Hayley’s OUTRAGEOUS decision to let Evan walk away.”
"Say he wished Hayley never got the door open to get in... #weapon," another fan wrote.
A third said: “Fairplay to Evan, you don't go on First Dates looking for a friend," followed by another commenting: "No Hayley he's so lovely!!! Lord save us that was painfully awkward."
The support for the 33-year-old has been pouring in online as another person wrote: “I hope Evan gets another turn on the show.
“Lovely fella. Deserves to have a date with someone who actually wants a relationship.”
A second fan of the Corkman said: “Poor Evan! Who goes on first dates for friendship? and why would you accept someone’s offer to pay the bill if you’re not interested?
“They literally agreed on everything, even the number of kids.”
