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First Dates Contestant Reveals The Truth About Splitting The Bill

First Dates Contestant Reveals The Truth About Splitting The Bill

A TikToker who once appeared on the show has told all about the tricky issue of paying for the meal

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

A TikToker and former First Dates contestant has told his followers the truth about the tricky issue of paying the bill. Watch below:

MrTradingRobot - real name Hugo - told his followers about an appearance he made on the Channel 4 show dating show, claiming that contestants are given £25 each.

In response to a fan asking how much he'd made from appearing on the show, he said: "First Dates paid me zero pounds. But I'll give you a little bit of behind-the-scenes info.

"For your first date they give everyone 25 quid in cash for the meal.

"So that bulls*** charade of people like, 'Aww are you going to pay? Am I going to pay?' Doesn't happen.

"Everybody's got cash."

Channel 4

Wait, so they could just club together and pay £50 toward the bill? Well... OK, whatever.

When approached for a comment, a spokesperson for First Dates said: "Daters receive no appearance fee. However, as we are keen to keep the series as accessible as possible to people from all walks of life, (so) we give every dater a £25 allowance to put towards their bill."

Since being posted, Hugo's clip has been watched nearly 1140,000 times with over 4,500 likes.

Responding to the clip, one person wrote: "What's the point in going out for £25?"

Another pointed out: "£25 per person ain't much for a meal at that restaurant," adding: "Who pays if it goes over £50?"

Luckily there was another person on hand who also claims to have appeared on the show, who added: "I went on, pre drinks and £25 is yours whether date pays or not. We split the bill. Was an experience but long day."

In another video, Hugo confirmed to his followers that they weren't mistaken - he was indeed the guy from First Dates.

He said: "Yes. That was me. You can find a short clip on YouTube where I generally shout, make a lot of noise and act like a completely bellend.

"Been a while now, but people still seem to spot me on here so thanks for noticing."

As many of us begin to slip back into the world of dating, with coronavirus restrictions gradually being lifted, it's worth remembering the advice of an Australian dating columnist and radio producer, who divided opinion after declaring men should always pay on the first date.

Jana Hocking said it's 'assertive' and 'manly' when a bloke forks out for the whole bill and feels it's a massive 'turn on'.

She wrote: "You know straight away if the guy goes Dutch then he is more than likely not very interested in the date going further.

"Let's end this debate once and for all and just say, blokes pay for the first date! It's hot, it's manly, and will have us bragging to our friends."

Featured Image Credit: TikTok/mrtradingrobot

Topics: Entertainment, TV and Film, first dates