‘Give me strength’.
He was always going to be a controversial addition to the show but who knew people would have such a strong reaction to Tallafornia‘s Phil.
Yes, the Dubliner who first shot to fame on that reality show back in 2011 made his debut in the First Dates restaurant tonight in the hopes of finding love.
What NOT to ask on a first date… #FirstDatesIRL pic.twitter.com/AQOmXEiBjZ
— RTÉ2 (@RTE2) January 23, 2018
However, the former reality show star prompted a furious response from viewers when began asking his date questions like, “Did you get your boobs done?”.
Yep, it was car crash television at it’s finest and viewers were quick to share their fury on Twitter.
Lads
If you would like a crash course on what not to do or say on a date….
Everything
EVERYTHING Phil has done and said on #FirstDatesIRL
— Niamhers (@niamhhassell) January 23, 2018
This guy from Tallafornia on First Dates Ireland is an ABSOLUTE MELT #FirstDatesIRL
— Hooch (@HeresKellie) January 23, 2018
My goodness.. this Phil lad is going to cause a riot.. ? #FirstDatesIRL
— Cormac Dennigan (@CormieD123) January 23, 2018
Saying you’re not being rude doesn’t mean that you’re not being rude, Phil #FirstDatesIRL
— Emer Hough (@emerhough) January 23, 2018
Ah maybe he’s grown up a bit since he made a show of himself on telly … have ya had your boobs done … no still a spa #FirstDatesIRL
— James Moore (@Muzzymoore) January 23, 2018
Well it’s nice to know Philly hasn’t changed at ALL since his Tallafornia days #FirstDatesIRL
— julie (@Julie0Mahony) January 23, 2018
Watching #FirstDatesIRL that guy from Tallaght is on his own planet ?
— Jennifer Gavin (@Jensology) January 23, 2018
Can’t wait for this Philly fella to be rejected big time by that woman #FirstDatesIRL
— David Farrell ™ (@davidkfarrell) January 23, 2018
I genuinely feel like someone should’ve stepped in and rescued that poor girl from the Tallafornia lad #FirstDatesIRL
— Karin Carthy (@KarinCarthy) January 23, 2018
Seriously Phil, learn a little class, you’re 31 acting like an 18 year old college student #FirstDatesIRL
— Aoife Murray (@AoifeMurray4) January 23, 2018
"If I'm wrong then maybe me whole outlook on women is wrong"
YES PHIL!!!!#FirstDatesIRL
— Conor Maguire (@NotABatsman) January 23, 2018
Phil is vile and this woman is a hero for putting up with him for this long #FirstDatesIRL
— Eloise Hickey (@effortkills) January 23, 2018
Phil you're an absolute scumbag, SCARLEH FOR YA #FirstDatesIRL
— Aideen Kearns (@aideen_kearns) January 23, 2018
Speaking of his decision to do the show, Phil told the Irish Sun that he thought the show bosses managed to set him up with someone “very similar” to him.
He told:
“I thought it would be a bit of fun so I decided to go for it.
“I loved the English show and thought I could do well on the Irish one. I’m a single bloke looking for love and it’s a bit of fun.
“The minute I saw my date I knew they’d matched us well. She was very similar, had tattoos and wasn’t shy — just like me.
“I had no hesitation doing it after Tallafornia, of course not. People still remember me from it — it’s the first thing my date said to me when I walked in.
“I never take anything like this too seriously. It’s a bit of craic, it’s entertainment and why not.”
