The new series of First Dates Ireland returned to Irish screens on Thursday night as more singletons entered the First Dates restaurant in the hopes of finding love.
However, viewers of the show were less focused on the new couples and instead turned their attention to behind the bar.
Devoted First Dates fans were left heartbroken as they realised one ‘vital’ part of the show was missing. Barman Ethan.
Taking to Twitter to viewers all asked the same question. Where is Ethan?
One person said: “That barman is not Ethan….where the f*** is Ethan? No disrespect, but Ethan soothes the auld soul of a Thursday evening”.
Another said: “Late to the show tonight and just realised Ethan the barman is no longer on the show.”
While a third commented: “Excuse me, that’s not Ethan behind that bar.”
People were left in awe as they discovered that Ethan the barman would not appear in this series.
With some even saying the show could not go on without him.
They said: “might as well just pull the plug now that Ethan is gone! Show is ruined.”
Ethan won viewers over with his kind words of encouragement and jokes with guests as he tried to settle their nerves before their blind date.
However, laoistoday.ie were able to provide some answers as it reported that Laois man Neil Kenna would be stepping in behind the bar this year instead.
Speaking about the show, Neil told laoisetoday.ie: “I’m most excited to just be back behind the bar to be honest.
“Also, seeing people coming back into a restaurant for a date again and getting up for a special occasion – watching love blossom live on television.”
Neil hails from the town of Durrow but has been working in Dublin as a restaurant manager for some time.
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