married at first sight

Ofcom has received more than 100 complaints from Married At First Sight viewers over the way groom Ashley was treated during his time on the hit E4 reality series

Ofcom has received more than 100 complaints from Married At First Sight fans over the way a groom was treated. Earlier in this series of the hit E4 reality show. viewers watched as midwife Grace ‘tied the knot’ with Ashley but she was visibly not very keen from the start.

The couple made it past the initial wedding stage of the experiment, but various issues kept cropping up as they tried to embark on their new relationship and it all ended after one final argument that took place at a dinner party.

She added: “I expect you to act like a grown man capable of self-control. Sponsored by Canesten Duo.” The pair have been notably absent at various points within the series, and in the end, Ashley removed his wedding band when he decided that ‘couldn’t do anymore‘ for her without her taking issue with it as she accused him of ‘twisting’ everything.

READ MORE: Married at First Sight UK’s Ashley issues statement after sparking romance rumoursREAD MORE: Married At First Sight UK’s Grace takes brutal swipe at Ashley as fans express concern

But viewers have taken issue with the way that experts Mel Schilling, Paul C Brunson and Charlene Douglas seemingly enabled Grace’s behaviour during her time on camera. A spokesperson for Ofcom confirmed: “Complaints related to the experts allegedly enabling Grace’s treatment of Ashley.” In total, the regulator received 166 complaints from angry viewers.

It comes just one day after Grace took to social media to hit out at her ex regarding their final argument. She said: “I expect you to accept no for an answer. I expect you to prioritise my discomfort over your desire for sex. I expect you to act like a grown man capable of self-control. Sponsored by Canesten Duo.”

Things went from bad to worse for the couple during Wife Swap week, when Ashley admitted that he was ‘happier’ when his bride was not around. On the verge of tears, he explained: “I’d hate to hurt Grace’s feelings. I just feel like I can’t give any more to this. So I have to be selfish and put myself first. Grace then admitted: “I would have really liked if this had worked out I think we recognise now there was never anyway it was going to (work). But yeah, you do know that deep down.”

When viewers first met Ashley and Grace, she refused to accept a kiss on the lips when they were pronounced as husband and wife. Things got even more heated between the pair at the dinner following the wedding, when Ashley admitted that he had been raised with ‘old-fashioned’ morals and believed that a man should be the breadwinner. Grace was visibly shocked at this revelation, and in a confessional, she fumed: “God, here we go!”

Later on, Grace’s friend Georgina interrogated Ashley over his outlook on life and when he suggested he was not necessarily a feminist, she raged that someone like that was not going to be a match for Grace.

She said: “My advice was, she wants to know you respect her.” She then relayed her concerns to Grace, but insisted she had managed to warm to Ashley by explaining to him just what she thought a feminist was. This whole scene did not go down well with some viewers either, with one writing: “Grace & her friends seem like the type to bring about their own misery,” and another slamming it as the ‘most insufferable conversation’ they had ever heard.

Viewers will have to wait to see just how things pan out between Ashley and Grace on the next episode, but the trailer for next week teased that things might not be looking so good.

In a short clip, Grace raged: “Every now and then he says something, and it’s like ‘Do you know how that sounds?!'”

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The couple were notably absent from a crucial episode

The final stretch is nearly here for this year’s Married at First Sight UK couples, who tied the knot with complete strangers just weeks ago.

Recent episodes on E4 have shown some pairs flourishing as they’ve built connections, whilst others have endured emotional breakdowns, startling revelations and fierce rows.

With final vows looming, the remaining participants faced a crucial decision at Tuesday evening’s (November 4) final commitment ceremony about whether to remain in the experiment.

But in an unexpected twist, one couple failed to show up, prompting expert Mel Schilling to address the assembled group.

She said: “It’s been incredible to see all your journeys unfold with your time with us. This is the last time that you get to bring your marriage to the couch and share with us where you’re at at this pivotal stage in the experiment and make that final decision on whether to stay or leave”, reports OK!

“Before we begin, obviously you’ll all notice that Grace and Ashley are not with us today, they’ve had a rocky couple of weeks and as a result, felt they needed more time to reflect and they won’t be joining us today.”

The pair – who spent homestays week apart – had both been contemplating their future together, with Ashley removing his wedding band when audiences last saw him.

He admitted that he and Grace might be “too different”, whilst she became tearful and claimed she’d witnessed a side of Ashley that nobody else had seen. She also accused him of making her feel like she was the “problem” and that their marriage was “doomed”.

Grace referred back to earlier rows they’d had over Ashley wanting her to wear a dress for a particular dinner and offering to get her nails done, disputing the way she recalled those conversations.

“I would sit on that couch, hear him twisting things to be more positive and favourable to him, sometimes I take issue with him about something, and he’d be like, no I didn’t, and I’d be like, well how do I argue with you now?” she said.

“I felt really isolated,” she continued, becoming emotional as she spoke about her self-doubt and questioned whether she’d misunderstood their relationship.

“Why am I the only person that sees him this way? No, he is doing this, he wants me to feel apologetic, contrived, he wants to be begged for forgiveness so he can feel in control. It’s the self-doubt that’s getting me down,” she cried. “I’ve had enough.”

Meanwhile, Ashley confessed that he and Grace weren’t “in the best place”, adding: “We’ve both put so much into this, I don’t know what to do, every relationship takes compromise, but we’ve both compromised and now we’re at a stage where she’s now what I need and I’m not what she needs.

“I do have feelings for her, and I do care for her, but I need Grace to be a different person, and I feel like she needs me to be a different person.”

Taking off his wedding ring and expressing his feeling of being “out of options”, Ashley added: “I can’t physically do any more to prove to her who I am as a person.”

Married At First Sight UK airs at 9pm on E4.

Jessika Power, an administration officer who was in series six of Married at First Sight Australia, has had tests in hospital to find out what has been causing her stomach pains

A Married at First Sight Australia star has been dashed to hospital with stomach pains.

Jessika Power, 33, has confirmed she has had tests in a bid to work out what has caused her struggle. Posting an Instagram clip from her hospital bed, the administration officer described the pain as “really intense” but, as yet, doctors have been unable to diagnose her.

“I’ve been having really bad problems with my tummy so we’re just doing some more tests, because I’m an older woman now and I’ve got to look after myself. This pain’s really intense… I’ll let you guys know what’s going on when I know. I thought if I was sick and didn’t post for a while you guys would freak out,” the star, who was in series six of Married at First Australia, told her followers.

Jessika broke up with Mick Gould, 35, before the final decision on the TV show. She since dated boat builder Ryan Loveridge but earlier this year, she split with the man, who had previously been on Celebs Go Dating.

READ MORE: MAFS UK star Rebecca dishes shocking home truths and issues warning to Leo in tense sceneREAD MORE: Celebrity Traitors star ‘told off’ by bosses after letting slip spoilers

During her time on MAFS, Jessika received huge backlash after cheating on her groom Mick with fellow contestant Dan Webb, a car broker. Speaking after the series, which aired in 2021, Jessika said: “I’m not a nasty, horrible girl [anymore] and I honestly have to laugh at the trolls.”

The young woman, from Perth, Western Australia, added: “They (the trolls) come to my Instagram to say horrible things and call me a bully – but that makes them bullies.”

READ MORE: Cute pyjama brand the MAFS UK girls all wear as viewers ‘desperate’ to knowREAD MORE: MAFS UK’s Julia-Ruth breaks major show rule as she slams co-stars in brutal post

During this year’s UK Married At First Sight, Rebecca dished out some home truths. Fans of the E4 programme , which sees total strangers ‘marry’ before trying to make a success of their sudden relationship, will know that April and Leo tied the knot relatively late in the new series after being introduced as ‘intruder bride and grooms,’ after all the other participants had already been matched.

And in Wednesday night’s episode, Rebecca, who had had some time apart from her husband Bailey as part of Partner Swap week, caught up with her co-stars over dinner and quickly set about having a candid conversation with Leo about the state of his relationship with April.

Having chatted to Rebecca about how things are going, Leo later claimed she had ‘misinterpreted’ what he said, and she then decided to put her two pence in on camera as well.

The Married at First Sight UK star has been spotted partying with a famous face – and it’s not Grace

Married at First Sight UK groom Ashley Dommett has ignited speculation about a potential new romance after being caught on camera partying with two brides from last year’s series.

The 35-year-old Welshman is currently matched with midwife Grace Law, 31, on the programme’s tenth series presently broadcasting on E4. However, their conflicting values and differing humour has created tension within their partnership.

Whilst the pair remain coupled up on the programme, they have stopped following one another on Instagram in recent weeks, fuelling speculation that they separated once cameras stopped rolling.

An insider close to the production told The Sun: “Grace has gone rogue recently and been slamming the show and the edit on socials, and now her and Ashley aren’t following each other, it’s pretty clear they aren’t together any more.”

On Wednesday evening (October 22) former MAFS UK participant Hannah Norburn shared footage showing herself enjoying beverages with her Season 9 colleague Sionainn Carmichael, alongside Ashley, reports OK!

In the footage, the threesome each grin at the camera whilst dancing with drinks as Justin Bieber’s track Baby plays in the background. She captioned the post: “Mini MAFS reunion with a new recruit and the worlds most unlikely trio.”

MAFS UK viewers were swift to swamp the comments section, questioning the stars about whether romance was developing.

However, Ashley maintained the group were “just friends,” disclosing: “It was actually Leisha Lightbody that organised the night but then had to work late and bail last minute.”

Both Hannah and Sionainn endured turbulent experiences during their series. Hannah was matched with a groom she repeatedly clashed with until he stopped communicating with her entirely, whilst also facing severe backlash from fellow brides who branded her a flirt with their partners.

She discovered comfort with co-star Orson, who similarly battled his own relationship troubles.

Meanwhile Sionainn departed the programme following an explosive row with her groom Ryan. She revealed to two fellow contestants that he admitted to “faking it all” throughout filming and viewed the experiment as merely a “holiday romance.”

Given their challenging ordeals, several comments beneath the footage targeted Hannah specifically, prompting Ashley to defend her.

“She’s actually a really nice person mate, had a class and needed fun night with them both last night,” he wrote.

Married at First Sight UK continues on Sunday night at 9pm on E4

‘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.

READ MORE: MAFS UK star ‘can’t walk’ as she shares worrying update from hospitalREAD MORE: Heartbreaking moment MAFS star finds out his wife ‘doesn’t fancy him’ and ‘never will’

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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Married At First Sight UK couple Sarah and Dean called time on their troubled marriage in an emotional commitment ceremony after weeks of tension, criticism, and viewer backlash over their rocky relationship

A dramatic exit rocked Married At First Sight UK as Sarah and Dean became the latest couple to quit the experiment following a tense and emotional commitment ceremony.

The pair’s relationship had been hanging by a thread for weeks, marked by awkward exchanges, lack of affection, and mounting viewer complaints over Sarah’s remarks about Dean’s weight.

During the ceremony, Sarah insisted she wanted to give their marriage “one more week,” telling the experts: “For me things have been moving positively… I want to see if romance develops. I think we’re at that point now. If I take a step back, I worry I’ll regret not trying.”

But her plea was met with firm opposition from the panel. Relationship expert Mel Schilling cut in, saying: “Sarah, I think you know how you feel. You’re clutching at straws here. We’re halfway through this experiment.”

READ MORE: MAFS couple admit ‘they can’t keep their hands off each other’ in giggly ceremonyREAD MORE: Married At First Sight UK’s Dean breaks silence on most awkward in-laws moment

Sex and relationships expert Charlene Douglas agreed, adding: “I think perhaps you’re making excuses. There isn’t any desire here at all. At what point do you call it quits? You’ve said the affection is too much. You’re both in denial.”

Paul C Brunson then chimed in on the whole situation, telling clashing Sarah and Dean: “We all see it.”

After a series of brutally honest interventions, Mel told the couple: “You two know what the smart thing to do is. You’re just not ready to say it.”

Initially, both Sarah and Dean wrote “stay” on their commitment cards, but changed their decisions after the confrontation.

Through tears, Sarah admitted: “I don’t want to hurt you anymore. I just don’t think we’re right for each other romantically.” Dean quietly replied: “Thank you for being honest,” adding that he “just wanted to be loved.”

Their relationship had been strained since the wedding day, when Sarah admitted she wasn’t physically attracted to Dean.

In one uncomfortable exchange, Dean asked if she had ever dated someone “overweight,” to which she bluntly replied: “No, never.” When asked what he could do to change that, she said: “Get some tattoos and lose some weight.”

Dean handled the comment with grace, later revealing he had “never been the boyfriend, always the best friend.”

However, Sarah’s behaviour drew much criticism from viewers, who accused her of fat-shaming and unforgivable disrespect.

Despite brief attempts to show a lighter side of their relationship, including honeymoon photos captioned “TV gave you the drama but here’s the real Maldives… fun, drinks & a lot of laughs”, tensions only deepened between Sarah and Dean.

Sarah later told the cameras: “I don’t think I can do this anymore,” before confirming their split at the ceremony.

Their departure brings an end to one of the show’s most turbulent marriages the show has ever seen, with both Sarah and Dean leaving the experiment in tears.

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A MARRIED At First Sight star warned fans “a smile hides a lot” as she broke down in tears in an emotional Instagram upload.

The E4 show contestant admitted “I have my struggles” and told how she “feels like a failure” amid a tricky patch in her personal life.

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Ella Morgan‘s raw confession came after the Celebs Go Dating alum posted a series of cryptic messages to her Stories, including one which read: “Remember who checks on you when you get a little quiet.

“Those are your people.”

Now Ella, who saw sparks fly with JJ Slater on MAFS as the show’s first transgender contestant back in 2023, has pleaded for fans to “be kind”

The 31-year-old bravely posted an image which showed her in tears in her car.

In a far cry from her ordinarily glam look, Ella was seen donning a pink sports top and going make-up free, brushing her hair into an up-do.

In a lengthy text post uploaded underneath the sad snap she wrote: “Sometimes a smile hides a lot.

“I can be the loudest most outgoing person in the room but inside it’s a very different story.

“Maybe I’ll regret posting this story because I care what others think.

“But I never talk or post about my feelings or when I’m not in a good place.

“But I felt like I needed to post this.

“Maybe it’ll help me or make me feel better or maybe it’ll help somebody else who is struggling right now.

“The reality is, everyone is going through something.”

She continued: “I have my struggles and a lot of you have noticed me going quieter on socials and I have reasons why.

“And social media a lot of the time gives off the impression that life is amazing but the truth is, it isn’t always.”

Ella then told how “constant trolling” and negativity around the trans community, as well as feeling run down and unwell, had also taken its toll.

She also confessed the “pressure of being a role model” felt like a “huge weight.”

In a heartbreaking conclusion Ella put: “Sometimes I feel like a failure and being sent horrible DMs doesn’t help when I’m having a bad day already.

“I took this picture this morning so I can look back when I’m in a better place and remind me how far I’ve come. Not for attention.

“Sometimes the feelings of failure and loneliness and negativity get the better of you and override the positive feelings.

“But I know tomorrow is a new day and hopefully it’ll be an easier one.

“Thank you for you continued support. Please be kind to one another.”

Ella then posted a snapshot of her dog, who she hailed her “best friend.”

Her poignant post came just weeks after the Bristol lass slammed a well-known celeb who called her a transphobic slur behind her back.

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MAFS newcomers bring the drama with them as the groom says he’s been “disrespected” by his wife at an explosive dinner party.

Reiss and Leisha walked down the aisle on the E4 show last week but its been a bumpy ride.

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They got off to a bad start at their wedding reception when Leisha pummelled him with questions about his life.

But after a in-depth conversation in tonight’s show the couple seemed to have put their differences aside and appeared happy again.

Reiss explained: “I like the stage I am at with Leisha, she’s got a heart of gold.”

Leisha agreed: “I’m happy. Complete. I’ve fallen for Reiss hard.

“He’s everything I have asked for.”

However, in a preview for tomorrow night’s dinner party things seem to have gone off the boil again.

The couple steal the spotlight as Leisha complains to Reiss: “Everyone else is holding hands.”

“I stopped holding your hand because you said don’t hold my f***ing hand and stormed off.” replies Reiss.

Then things take a turn for the worse when Leisha is asked: “Do you think you should be sat on a plane talking to a boy?”

Leisha replies: “I’ve had past relationships. That’s never been a problem.”

Julia-Ruth chimes in: “Babe, you’ve just had a honeymoon with this man.”

Then Reiss snaps: “I felt disrespected.”

Earlier in last night’s show, Leisha’s questions continued to baffle painter and decorator Reiss.

In an effort to get her husband to open up she asked: “Do you feel like you are falling for me though? Do you like me?”

Married at First Sight’s best moments

Married at First sight has brought eight explosive series of drama to the small screen. These are some of the best moments

• When series 8 couple Rozz Darlington and Thomas Kriaras brought secretly brought a sex toy to the couple’s dinner party. Unbeknownst to their fellow cast members who they were having dinner with, Rozz wore a vibrating egg gadget whilst husband Thomas had the controls.

• Nikita’s exit in series 6. Nikita was removed from the show early on due to her behaviour, which led to her husband Ant re-entering the experiment with Alexis.

• A slightly more heart warming highlight from series 6 was watching Dan and Matt’s relationship unfold. Dan and Matt were the first same-sex couple on the show, and their relationship was both ground-breaking and adorable.

• Emma and James’ wedding in series 1. They were the first couple to ever get married on the UK version of the show. Emma and James, had a beautiful ceremony that set the tone for the series.

• The dinner party showdowns are always a MAFs highlight with explosive arguments and unexpected alliances forming.

The question was met with an awkward silence until Reiss giggled and said: “Easy girl. It’s been two days.”

Then during a boat trip she asked: “”Do you visualise me in your future?”

An annoyed Reiss threw an epic strop and responded: “I can’t cope! You’re too much.

“I don’t need pressure yet, it’s so early.

“I don’t like it. I know you’re saying you want to see the real me you aint going to find that out over night.

“You know I’m a closed book. If you’re constantly pressuring me you’re just going to keep me closed.”

Fans will have to wait until tomorrow night to see if the couple can patch things up after their latest row.

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A MARRIED At First Sight honeymoon takes a disastrous turn tonight when a bride piles on the pressure days after her wedding.

Reiss and Leisha walked down the aisle on the E4 show last week.

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But the painter and decorator, and dental industry marketeer failed to click.

They got off to a bad start at the reception when Leisha pummelled him with questions about his life.

In a preview clip for tonight’s show, Leisha and Reiss fail to see eye-to-eye again as they discuss what the future holds for them.

During a boat trip, Leisha asks her husband: “Do you visualise me in your future?”

But her need for reassurance doesn’t go down well.

An annoyed Reiss throws an epic strop and responds: “I can’t cope! You’re too much.

“I don’t need pressure yet, it’s so early.

“I don’t like it. I know you’re saying you want to see the real me you aint going to find that out over night.

“You know I’m a closed book. If you’re constantly pressuring me you’re just going to keep me closed.”

Leisha replied: “It’s just the lack of questions, it makes me feel you don’t really care about me.

“I know you fancy me. Do you want to know are we going to have a future together.”

He replied: “You want to know do I want a wife, to have kids, to settle down. Yes, yes, yes.”

He then dealt the hammer blow, adding: “I don’t know if that’s what I want with you after knowing you three days.”

Speaking to the camera away from his wife, he later vented: “I can’t believe Leisha just ask me that, is she joking?! F hell.”

AWKWARD RECEPTION

After the pair exchanged their wedding rings and said their vows, the registrar declared: “Leisha and Reiss, it’s my huge pleasure to proudly announce you husband and wife.”

The new couple awkwardly leaned in for two kisses on the cheek before stepping back from one another.

Their guests looked on with confused looks on their faces as they clapped for the pair.

It wasn’t the only awkward moment on the E4 show, painter and decorator Reiss struggled as Leisha and her bridesmaid fired a series of questions at him.

During their wedding reception, Leisha asked her new husband: “What’s your exes been like?”

Reiss explained that his ex girlfriends have been “all different”, saying he focuses on a “connection”.

Leisha asked: “Do you get a lot of attention?,” to which he replied: “No, not really.”

Speaking to the camera away from her husband, Leisha said: “I’m so happy with how things are going with me and Reiss.

“It’s in my nature to ask these questions, so I’m just going to keep asking them and I truly want to get to know him to his core.”

Looking uncomfortable, Reiss was then quizzed by the bridesmaid, who asked: “So how many exes have you had?”

Reiss said he’s not one for dating apps and has been longing to be in a relationship.

He said: “Four exes, luckily I’ve never actually dated a psychos.”

They then asked if jealousy on his behalf had caused the relationships to end, which he insisted was not the case.

But the interrogation didn’t stop there. The bridesmaid then asked if he would like kids and Reiss replied: “100% yeah.”

This prompted Leisha to then press him on what he would call his child.

Reiss quickly replied: “Frankie,” which Leisha agreed was a good name.

Speaking in her confessional, Leisha said: “Him telling me he wants kids is a massive turn on for me, I’m ovulating.”

While Reiss felt very differently, saying the the camera: “It started off as a grilling, there’s a lot to take in.”

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