"Date you first entered the UK" question -- unusual situation

[qqqqq]

I have the following situation (somewhat simplifying): I arrived in the UK exactly 4 years ago on a Tier 2 Skilled Worker visa. After 5 months, I left the UK for 7 months, worked from my home country during coronavirus time, and returned to the UK exactly 3 years ago. After 2 more years, I switched to a Tier 1 Global Talent visa.

I have two questions:
1. Is that correct that I am eligible for ILR given that there were no other significant absences? I think I am but would like to double-check.
2. What date shall I put on my application? I would prefer to put the "3 years ago" date but I am not sure if it's allowed. I have seen a few topics on this forum asking about this date and the general sentiment was "It doesn't really matter" but people were always asking what to choose among dates related to visas, and I am thinking about putting a date which is not related to any document.

[zimba]

The advice you have seen remains the same. The date you put on the form has NO effect on your eligibility. Eligibility is determined based on the visa period held only. That question is not important

[qqqqq]

Thanks for the reply!

Then I am going to put the "3 years ago date". Does it mean that I can list only absences in the last 3 years in the "Immigration history" section?

Sounds like yes, but it would be great to double-check this as well.

[zimba]

You declare all absences covering your ILR qualifying period. This has nothing to do with the date you put on the form again