Retired Co Wicklow lap dancer shocks aspiring actor as they appear on First Dates Ireland

The fourth episode of the new season of First Dates Ireland left viewers in tears as Wicklow woman and former exotic dancer Pamela proved too hot to handle for her Dublin match.

A mother of two, 40-year-old home designer Pamela was paired with Kevin (also 40), a father of three who fancies himself a bit of a leading man and wanted to meet someone with good banter and a bubbly personality – boy did he get more than he bargained for!

Introducing herself to viewers, extrovert Pamela said she was hoping to find someone after being single for four years, adding that her first date policy was “try before you buy” and that sexual attraction was important to her “because I’d be a wild thing”.

“I’ve never had that ‘wow’ kind of feeling, that feeling everyone is talking about – gimme some of that,” Pamela said.

“I’m 40 years of age, and I’ve never had it. Now I actually understand why people do go out looking for love.

“I’m never nervous around men. If I’m nervous around him, that means I like him. I want someone taller than me. Someone that can pick me up and throw me!”

After arriving at the First Dates restaurant in her black dress with ruffles “that never fails”, Pamela was greeted by an eager Kevin, who has been single for over seven years and, by his own volition, said he is like Patrick Swayze on the dance floor – “after a few jars”.

The pair hit it off initially, embracing for a quick cuddle before the mood changed abruptly when Kevin turned to the barman and asked for a zero-alcohol beer, leaving Pamela’s mouth aghast.

As they sat down to dinner, the topic of birthdays came up. When Pamela discovered Kevin was a Taurus, she asked: “Oh a Taurus? Aren’t they supposed to be bitchy? You better not be – I can’t cope with that.”

With Kevin feigning an awkward smile, she quipped: “I’m an Aquarius, outgoing, and on it like a car bonnet!”

Pamela then delved deep into her past, revealing her former life as a lap dancer, which a visibly taken aback and wide-eyed Kevin attempted to shrug off.

“I was a dancer for years,” Pamela told him.

“The lap-dancing was a bit sleazy but good money. I was one of the Celtic babes, and we used to travel around in this big mini bus and go to shows. Then I went into being a strip-o-gram.

“I wasn’t doing anything wrong in my eyes. Now, it’s like, no one should be looking at my body now except my partner.”

After Kevin reassured her that he didn’t and wouldn’t have an issue with her former career choice, they tucked into their chicken wings and shared their experiences of having children at a young age.

Then, in an altogether awkward exchange, Kevin revealed that he had been dabbling in acting for the past year and could have an upcoming gig in the UK. When Pamela jokingly asked if she could tag along, even offering to pay for her own way, Kevin bluntly replied: “It’s a closed set”.

Although some viewers may have held on to a sliver of hope that an unlikely love would blossom, those hopes were dashed when Pamela excused herself to go to the bathroom.

In her absence, waitress Alice Marr asked Kevin how the date was going. Recoiling in his seat and puffing out his chest, he simply replied: “Emm…yeah. Lovely, lovely girl, just…yeah.”

With the date wound down, the pair conducted their final interviews. Appearing anything but smitten, Kevin confided to the camera: “As cheeky and arrogant as this is, I won’t settle for less. That was a bit much for me, and I felt very under pressure”.

Sat next to each other to answer the big question, Pamela said that she would like to go on a second date – but Kevin turned her down.

After saying he had thought she was lovely and that he had a lot of fun, an unperturbed Pamela said: “That’s fine if that’s your decision. I had a great laugh. Thanks.”

Concluding an appearance that won’t soon be forgotten, when Pamela was asked if she thought she was “a bit much” for Kevin, she replied: “I think I’m way too much for him – or anyone!”

Reacting to the hilarious encounter, viewers took to social media to declare their utter lack of surprise that the match didn’t work out, with one viewer sarcastically commenting: “Pam and Kevin didn’t work out – didn’t see that coming!”

Captivated by Pamela’s racy antics and larger-than-life personality, a new fan said: “Pamela is already my favourite of the week”, while another called her “a legend”.

Highlighting their favourite moment of the side-splitting episode, one commenter wrote: “When he hears she was an exotic dancer!”

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