'Can't decide if madness or genius': First Dates viewers confused as love-seeking hopeful brings Zippy toy on a date

First Dates viewers were left confused as one hopeful chose an unusual companion when he appeared on an episode of the show.

Dave, 41, took part in the Channel 4 show to look for love and was matched with 52-year-old Sharon, a sumo wrestler, and rocked up to London’s Paternoster Chop House to try charm his way to love.

The train manager didn’t get off on the right foot as he tried to order an alcopop, Blue WKD, as his beverage of choice, only to be told that they were “unfortunately” not on the menu.

As conversation began to flow, things took a weird track when Dave revealed he likes to collect “anything 80s themed” and “memorabilia” – that he also brings on dates.

Dave then took out his toy Zippy – a character from Rainbow – and put it down alongside the pair.

Sharon took it all in her stride, even putting Zippy down her top, but viewers at home were less convinced by the date.

Posting on Twitter, one wrote: “A fella on a first date with a female sumo wrestler just whipped Zippy off Rainbow out of his pocket. As you do #FirstDates.”

Another mused: “Did he really pull out Zippy? Where’s George? #FirstDates.”