First dates are tough. Like, really, really tough. You have to sit down with a complete stranger and try to show off the best possible version of yourself, all while trying not to splatter spaghetti and tomato sauce all over the place (top tip, y’all: avoid spaghetti on a first date – learn from our mistakes).

This experience is made all the more difficult, of course, when you’re a) living it out in front of thousands of Channel 4 viewers, and b) paired up with an absolute fool.

Take Sherry, for example, who appeared on First Dates as part of her quest for love.

A professional dominatrix, the Swindon local was all too aware of the fact that her unusual job may make it difficult to find The One.

“It’s not sexual,” she said. “I don’t touch them, they don’t touch me, apart from my feet.

“My children know what I do. All my neighbours know. My friends know. I don’t mix business with pleasure. It’s business.

“I don’t want to be dominant in a relationship. I would like it to be on an even keel, so that we both respect each other.

“I think I’m single because it takes a special person to accept what I do.”

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Unfortunately for Sherry, though, that special person was not the man producers paired her up with – a man who was already head-over-heels in love with someone else.

That ‘someone else’ being, of course, himself.

“I am an excellent catch,” John told the cameras confidently. “I have charisma, personality, looks, charm, I’m in good shape.

“I’ve got a bob or too. Good lord. Everything in one package, it’s beyond belief.”

We gave him the benefit of the doubt of course – but then he showed his true colours when Sherry told him what she did for a living.

Despite the fact that she revealed that she had gotten into her line of work because her ex-husband left her in a “very embarrassing financial situation”, John couldn’t keep from giggling and asking “disrespectful” questions.

Clearly unable to get over the fact of her job, he wouldn’t let it go.

And, when his date popped out to go to the loo, John smugly turned to waiter Sam Conrad and informed him that her job meant she was definitely up for it: “Man, she’s a dominatrix. I think she’s good to go, baby.

“She’s totally besotted with me.”

He later added that he hoped Sherry would “take me to the cellar and tie me up” – because why not go the whole hog when you’re being an absolute chump, eh?

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To nobody’s surprise (save for John), Sherry soon revealed that she didn’t want to see him again. Like, ever.

“I just felt you were a little bit disrespectful if I’m honest,” she told her shocked date, his eyes bulging in sheer horror when he realised that he was being dumped after steaming in with a confident ‘yes’ to whether they’d meet again.

“When I was explaining about my work and you laughed about it. And I just didn’t think it was appropriate.”

And that’s putting it politely. Unlike the angry Twittersphere, which vented its collective frustration in more colourful terms.

Judging by the social media reaction, everyone was well and truly on Sherry’s side – and some have even campaigned for Channel 4 to bring her back and set her up with someone who isn’t a plonker.

Fingers crossed they do just that, eh?

Images: Channel 4