'Don't expect a free meal because you're a woman': Couple on First Dates spark Twitter fury after a middle-age diner is left furious about splitting the bill

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Two contestants on TV show First Dates have left viewers divided - after the man asked the woman to pay half towards her meal.

The Channel 4 dating show partnered Brian with Mary for a date and things seemed to be going well between them until the waitress arrived with the bill.

Their meal came to £70.37 and the waitress asked: 'Are you just doing half and half?' To which Brian replied 'yep' and Mary said nothing at all. 

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Mary and Brian were set up by Channel 4 and took part in First Dates

At the end of the meal, Brian said that they would pay half each - much to the shock of his date

Later, speaking to the camera, Mary said: 'Not to offer and say I’ll pay, and then wait for me to say we’ll go halves… I was absolutely fuming. Fuming.'

In front of Brian, she later said: 'Well, I thought Brian was very nice but, umm, I think you should have offered to pay the bill.'

Brian replied saying: 'I think when you first meet somebody you should always go halves, but that's just my opinion.'

Mary then made her feelings quite clear, saying: 'That was a big no-no for me.' 

The couple went their separate ways and a chance of a second date seemed unlikely. 

The episode, which aired on Monday, has become the centre of a dating etiquette - and gender - debate, splitting the opinion of viewers. 

Viewers at home soon launched into a Twitter debate as they discussed who had been in the wrong in the dating situation.

Some people thought that men and women should be equal and therefore they should pay half each.

Others, however, disagreed, instead siding with what they thought was tradition and a man being a gentleman.

Twitter user Lidz said: 'I'm with Mary on this one! If a guy doesn't pay on the first date, he's definitely not getting a second! No no!'

Brian Allen agreed saying: 'No as a man you gotta offer to pay...' 

Marian Collins also sided with tradition, tweeting: 'Mary fuming over the bill is hilarious! Yes he totally should of offered to pay the on a first date!' 

Calling Brian a 'tightwad', Selexia said: 'No wonder he hasn't found anyone. Selfish.' 

Josh, however, stuck up for Brian saying: 'Oh wow. It's a bit snobby of Mary to assume her date was going to pay for the whole meal. I'm pleased she did have to pay!'

Kate agreed saying 'Bloody hell Mary! Won't see him again because he didn't pay half?! You'll be single for a looooong time love.'

Kelly Sotherton then joined in, saying: 'Mary expecting not to pay for her dinner and never has??!? It's the 21st century Mary !!' 

Part Cyborg, however, felt a little more empathetic to Mary and tweeted: 'Mary is from the generation where it would be an insult to the man to pay 1/2, let alone the man expect a woman to pay.' 

On today's This Morning, a poll showed that 57 per cent say it is old fashioned for a man to pay the bill.

Twitter was once again set alight and the debate continued.

Sally tweeted saying: 'I can't believe how many people actually think men have to [ay the bill, I'm horrified.'

Emma agreed, tweeting: 'Ugh no one should expect a free meal just because they're a woman. There's nothing wrong with splitting the bill.'  

Kate said: 'I think it's nice if a man pays on the first date because it shows he's not a tight bum.'

Zombies strongly disagreed, citing gender equality and said: 'It's 2016! Equality isn't just in the workplace. I would offer to split the bill straight away. Romance doesn't depend on money.' 

The topic of gender equality continued, with Laura tweeting: 'It's all about equals these days. Either split the bill or take turns to treat the other. Why should girls always be treated?' 

Lizzie Cundy (pictured on the right in the pink) said: ‘A man should pay if he's asked you on a date, if he is a gentleman.’

The women disagreed, with presenter Ruth Langsford saying: ‘If I had teenager daughters I would tell them to pay their way on a date.’

On the ITV show however, TV presenter Lizzie Cundy argued that men should always pay on the first date, especially if they asked the woman out.

She said: ‘A man should pay if he's asked you on a date, if he is a gentleman.’

When asked if that means a woman shouldn't ask a man out, she said: ‘I like a man to chase a girl.’

She went on: ‘What is wrong with men paying? They should be honoured to have you there. Every woman wants to be treated, especially on a first date, it’s embarrassing if he's breaking down the menu, who had a starter, who had wine.

'It’s kind for a man to pay and a lot of my friends agree with me.’

Presenter Ruth Langsford said: ‘I wouldn't expect a man to pay the bill, Eamonn did on our first date but he is old fashioned. I did offer to pay as I was a very independent girl.’

She added: ‘If I had teenager daughters I would tell them to pay their way on a date.’

Journalist Alison Phillips agreed, saying men shouldn’t pay.

She said: 'We are perpetuating the idea that women need to be looked after and are princesses. We should encourage young girls to fight against it.’