Over the course of just 24 hours between Wednesday and tonight, the EU-UK divorce date switched no less than five times as the quest for some conclusion to come to the Brexit crisis.

And, just like Waiting for Godot - where, spoiler alert, the long-sought character does not in fact turn up - it all means an actual Brexit day remains as rooted in fiction as Mr Bettel's favourite character.

As agreed since early 2017, the UK was due to leave the EU on March 29 - next Friday - with or without a deal.

However, with a no deal calamity staring her in the face, British prime minister Theresa May confirmed on Wednesday night she was stepping back from the cliff edge and would seek a new June 30 delayed date.

This was quickly shot down by the European Commission, which said this date would not be possible as it would damage May 24 MEP election plans.

On the first day of the two-day EU summit in Brussels on Thursday, Ms May was told she must instead accept a May 22 delay date - on strict condition a delay is only possible if MPs back her existing deal next week.

However, while this was included in the draft EU "conclusions", it was deleted just hours after the file was leaked.

Tonight, EU leaders including Mr Varadkar were discussing a detailed proposal to extend the March 29 date without any pre-conditions surrounding the deal.

This proposal carried a sting in the tail, with Ms May due to be told that if Britain had not agreed to the existing deal by April 11 and sought a second extension, they would be told the price to pay was to run candidates in the MEP elections.

However, just as clarity appeared, the Brexit clouds returned, with French president Emmanuel Macron saying the date should be May 7 - just before the informal EU summit in Romania.

The plan was rejected, with EU leaders still locked in discussions late last night and the possibility May 22 could creep back onto the table.

Five dates. One EU summit. And the Brexit outcome still clear as mud.