Barnes

‘I previously said there was something we’re not seeing between Julia-Ruth and Divarni, and it turns out their secrets and sex are being held from the group, too’

I’m starting to feel like I should disregard everything I say about most of the couples in this experiment, because the twists and turns of Married at First Sight are never-ending! This week, we saw the drama unfolding between Julia-Ruth and Divarni, Maeve and Joe, and Grace and Ashley over a steamy spa day and a dinner party where the heat was SERVED, even though the actual food is cold.

Last week, I said there was something we’re not seeing between Julia-Ruth and Divarni, and it turns out the secrets and sex are being held from the group, too.

Julia-Ruth feels like, instead of owning up that she’s just not into Divarni, she’s using sex to stay in the experiment (or on TV) for longevity. This programme is about authenticity, real people, real highs and lows of relationships, so you can smell “the extra 15 minutes of screen time” that Keye voiced at the dinner party a mile off.

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I predict we’ll see a “stay” from this couple at the commitment ceremony to solidify that they just want another week on the telly.

A quick follower count shows the popularity of the cast plain as day – the audience likes Leah, Ashley, and Maeve the most. These are all relatable, day-to-day cast members who deserve the world for coming in and being true to themselves.

I think that was mine and Kristina’s story, too. I genuinely went into the experiment expecting a great story to tell in the pub for the rest of my life; anything and everything else that has come my way is a fabulous bonus. I genuinely think these three would say the same.

Haven’t we seen a turnaround for the girls?! I said on Saturday that Leigh and Leah have no chance, but I’ve completely changed my mind in two nights, and I’m proud of them.

I met Leigh a couple of weeks into the show and remember saying to her, “My gosh, you can smile in real life!” She was lovely, we had a laugh, and I’m glad we’re seeing her warm up on screen.

I’m also glad her resting bitch face hasn’t moved, the edit have obviously had a play with that at the beginning but remind me not to get on the wrong side of that stare!

So, onto the retreat, one of my favourite memories of the show, clambering onto the coach like a school trip.

With Leah’s dresses getting bigger by the week, let’s hope she’ll fit the next one through the sliding doors at the dinner party, and let’s hope the retreat serves drama, a wife swap and gives Leisha some more memes to make because they’re killing me on TikTok!

Catch up on Married at First UK on Channel 4*

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CORVALLIS, Ore. — Oregon State fired coach Trent Bray on Sunday after the team fell to 0-7, its worst start to a season since 1991.

Robb Akey will be the interim head coach for the rest of the seson pending a national search for Bray’s successor, athletic director Scott Barnes said.

“I want to thank Coach Bray for the energy and determination he brought to the role. A former student-athlete, proud graduate, and dedicated mentor, Trent’s connection to Oregon State runs deep — he will always be a Beaver,” Barnes said. “This was a difficult decision, but the results on the field were not acceptable and after evaluating every aspect of the football program, I believe it is in the best interests of OSU football student-athletes, our fans and our university.”

The move came a day after backup quarterback Deshawn Purdie threw for 270 yards and four touchdowns in his first start for Wake Forest and the visiting Demon Deacons beat Oregon State 39-14 in front of a listless home crowd. The Beavers haven’t started this poorly since 1991, when they started 0-10.

After the game, Bray said he planned to keep showing up “until they tell me I can’t.”

“I’m frustrated. I’m disappointed. I look at myself, and I’ve got to fix it,” Bray said after the game. “It’s unacceptable to me where we’re at. That’s just how I look at it. What can I do? I’ve got to look at it. What can I do different to get these guys going?”

A week ago, Oregon State fired special teams coach Jamie Christian and Barnes said he and Bray were evaluating the program with an eye toward making immediate changes.

The buyout of Bray’s contract will be paid “exclusively using donor-generated funds,” the school said.

Akey is a veteran coach with experience in college and as an NFL assistant.

MAFS UK’s Emma Barnes knows first-hand what it’s like to walk down the aisle towards a stranger and is ready to give her insight in her weekly Mirror column

Welcome back to my MAFS weekly column!

Well, haven’t things heated up a tad over the last week of Married at First Sight UK? Six out of the nine brides were unhappy with their matches. I’m not sure whether we’re going to see more Julia-Ruth walk-outs by the end of the series or hear more self-penned songs (currently 3:4 on the tally, by the way). I needed half an hour to stare at a wall after last night’s explosive dinner party.

Where else to start than with the storyline of the week? I’m trying to see past the edited faces Sarah pulls, knowing she’s uncomfortable and disappointed in her experience. It’s difficult seeing fireworks around that table while you’re imagining going home, head hanging in shame after just one week and zero snogs.

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Sarah’s disrespect and lack of willingness to get to know Dean went over the line. “I need to understand why the experts matched us, because you’re not what I asked for” is a quote I heard a few times during that first dinner party.

It hurts, and no one deserves that. It’s great to see the room backing Dean, and putting a mirror up to her unkind words, kudos to Davide! I genuinely hope that if they stay another week, Sarah relaxes and learns for the public to witness because the backlash (and body-shaming back) has also been over the line.

There are a few couples with real legs developing (or abs in the case of Bec- phwoar!). Maeve and Joe are cute as a button, and I’m totally team Kevide and team Grashley.

Of course, I’m rooting for the people’s princess, Nelly, and if Stephen breaks her heart, the nation won’t have it. There’s something telling me it’s not going to be sunshine and daisies for these two. Maybe it’s an ex spilling tea online about him?

There’s a debate about whether the cast should have access to social media at all to avoid leaks of the show. This is their time to shine, I say.

I used to love putting my daily pictures up and choosing my backing track. They’ve waited nine months for this! I’m trying to stay out of the gossip, but I’ve even heard some stories about a groom or two… I may or may not reveal more; you’ll just have to keep reading!

I’m now firmly in a habit of sending late-night voice notes to half the cast for their thoughts and trying to be friends.

Yes, I’m that beg from the previous seasons but I don’t care! I think the group are fantastic, I don’t get creeped out by any of the boys which is a green flag, and the fact I’ve had now two parents DM me with pride or concern shows they’re from solid foundations too.

We’re being treated to two dinner parties this week and a commitment ceremony tonight, and I fear Anita and Paul may leave. Let’s hope he takes his post-it to remember to ask how she’s feeling. I’m off to do some sit ups in hopes of getting abs like Rebecca by Christmas.

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MAFS UK’s Emma Barnes knows first hand what it’s like to walk down the aisle towards a stranger and is ready to give her insight in a weekly column

The autumn chill is settling in, and what better way to celebrate than with a dose of wedding chaos!

Luckily, we have Married At First Sight legend Emma Barnes here to give her verdict for the Mirror on all the weekly tears and madness the E4 show…

Firstly… Welcome to my weekly column! Honoured to pen my thoughts on, let’s face it, the UK’s welcome to Autumn. Darker nights, drama-filled dinner parties and clinging onto the hope of some happy endings while our dating life is in tatters: MAFS IS BACK PEOPLE!

What a first couple of episodes! The series will fly by with this new format, switching between weddings and honeymoons. We all get a bit bored of the often repetitive nuptials and personally I’d send Mel, Charlene and Paul to the honeymoons, some of these couples need them.

The cast seem a kind, calmer collective than the previous couple of series (for now, we all know!). I think I’d totally fit in with this group had I not made it into last series. Love that there’s two same sex couples, and I want to be bezzies with Nelly immediately.

This week Davide and Keye hitched in a classy, emotional day (round of applause on their guest’s pure style please!). Sarah’s asked for a bad boy and her new husband pre-wrote an acapella number that went down like a lead balloon, and we all learnt some lessons in feminism from Grace’s protective pal.

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If you go into this experiment expecting the full package, you’re going to be disappointed, and emotions were running high. Types come up every year, two brides had tears after their vows. Sarah’s never dated someone like Dean. She likes a flirt, a cheeky wink and someone to through her down on the bed and rip her clothes off. Dean with the dimples is a kind, gentle, poet, and that’s not helping his sex appeal.

Grace expected an instant spark, (Ashley is going to have queues at his door if this doesn’t work out, he’s totally a bit of me!) but here’s the thing; from my experience women are more open to getting to know the person if the spark isn’t there. It will be a refreshing twist on blokes wanting fit birds and nothing else. Mark my words I predict one of these couples will go some distance with a sprinkling of expert help.

This is why we get hooked, the twists, turns, feedback and growth. The happiest couples on their wedding day face rocks in the road, while what starts off Grace’s tears after the ceremony could turn in a river of love by Christmas. Plenty of weddings to go so strap in, get hitched onto that sofa and get a wine and crisp in hand.

P.S I hate taking out the bins – totally a blue job if I had a boyfriend…

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DREAM TEAM managers have until 11am on Saturday morning to confirm their transfers for Gameweek 3.

We’ve assembled some tempting transfer targets separate from the too-obvious-to-list options for your consideration.

4

Harvey Barnes (£4m)

Anthony Gordon (£4.5m) would have been a viable option this week had he not seen red against Liverpool on Monday night.

But Dream Team managers can follow the same logic with Newcastle’s No11.

The Magpies are due to face Leeds this Saturday with the Whites having been hammered by Arsenal in Gameweek 2.

Daniel Farke’s side were also humiliated by Sheffield Wednesday’s youngsters in the Carabao Cup.

Newcastle may have had their hearts broken by Arne Slot’s troops last time out but they showed they pack a punch even when a man down to the champions.

Barnes is a true horses-for-courses selection as he boasts a formidable record against Leeds of five goals in six Premier League appearances.

The 27-year-old should be guaranteed playing time while Gordon serves his suspension with Newcastle’s next home game also a favourable match-up in the form of Wolves.

4

Chris Wood (£4.3m)

Dream Team bosses could do a lot worse than targeting West Ham’s weaknesses at present.

The Hammers lost 3-0 to Sunderland on the opening weekend and got thrashed 5-1 by Chelsea in Gameweek 2, not to mention a Carabao Cup capitulation at Wolves.

Nottingham Forest will feel confident of a positive result against Graham Potter’s mob this Sunday and their big target man might be first in line to benefit.

Alternatively, four of their midfielders are already into double figures for points: Morgan Gibbs-White (£4.7m), Callum Hudson-Odoi (£3.7m), Dan Ndoye (£3.3m) and Elliot Anderson (£3.7m).

September brings a tricky trip to Arsenal for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men but that’s more than countered by favourable fixtures against Burnley and Sunderland.

Forest will also commence their Europa League campaign after the international break.

Dream Team bosses should ensure they have plenty of players active in Europe once the midweek fixtures start coming thick and fast.

4

Pedro Porro (£5.1m)

Both Brennan Johnson (£4.7m) and Richarlison (£3.3m) are among the most popular recruits ahead of Gameweek 3 at this stage.

And that’s perfectly understandable.

But we’re choosing to shine a light on Tottenham’s defence after two clean sheets from as many outings.

Cristian Romero (£3.6m), Micky van de Ven (£3.8m) and Djed Spence (£3.8m) are all more affordable but it feels like Porro is on the brink of a mega haul.

The Spaniard continues to take up advanced positions and, in the absence of James Maddison (£4.5m), he’s on set-pieces.

It’s worth remembering that Porro racked up a whopping 51 bonus points last season.

Spurs host Bournemouth this weekend but it’s their trip to West Ham in Gameweek 4 that looks most inviting.

4

Matheus Cunha (£5m)

A pure one-week punt to finish.

Manchester United are at home to Burnley on Saturday and their new No10 will be licking his lips at the prospect.

Only two players have registered more shots than Cunha across the first two league games and the Brazilian forward is the outright leader for shots on target.

It feels as if his first goal in red is just around the corner and what better platform than Old Trafford against a newly-promoted team?

Many gaffers will feel they can’t accommodate a short-term move such as this (a Manchester derby awaits in Gameweek 4) especially with the European competitions looming large but it wouldn’t be a surprise if Cunha bagged a big double-digit haul against the Clarets.

Dream Team in association with Midnite

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