relationships

As a new season of Married at First Sight UK begins today, we look at some behind-the-scenes facts, including how weddings are planned and how couples are matched

A new season of Married at First Sight UK will premiere this evening – with 18 singles lined up to marry a complete stranger on the show.

The programme, which airs on E4, is known for its dramatic moments and has proved extremely successful with fans in the past. The first trailer for the latest series dropped on Monday, revealing the first four couples and promising many twists and turns.

This year, producers have also announced a schedule shake-up meaning the show will air from Sunday to Wednesday each week at 9pm on E4 and Channel 4 on demand, which deviates from the usual Monday-Thursday episodes. Here, we look at some behind-the-scenes curiosities die-hard fans may want to know ahead of tonight’s premiere.

READ MORE: Inside Married At First Sight UK’s ‘most explosive’ reunion yet for E4 series

How are contestants matched?

MAFs contestants are matched by a team of relationship experts who use extensive questionnaires and interviews to understand each person’s personality, core values, life goals and preferences. Initially, producers select the participants through a rigorous application and vetting process, which includes medical and mental fitness checks.

Then, experts such as Paul Brunson, Charlene Douglas and Mel Schilling pair individuals based on their psychological profiles, their lifestyles and believes to create compatible couples. The matched couples meet for the very first time on their wedding day – and sparkles don’t always fly between them.

How are weddings planned?

Contestants have a say in what they want their wedding day to look like, but ultimately it is the show’s production team that arranges all the details including the venue, catering, floral arrangements and other logistics. The matched couples can select their engagement rings and wedding attire and can select their preference for different aspects of the wedding through a booklet.

The production team then compares the preferences of the matched couple and tries to find compromises that align with both individuals’ tastes. The fact that producers are behind the organisation means many elements are often surprising for the couple – even key choices such as their honeymoon destination.

Costs, including everything needed to prepare the ceremony, stag and hen dos, as well as the honeymoon, are covered by the production.

Limited freedom while filming

While filming, the brides and grooms have limited freedom – and can only leave the house a certain amount of times per week, former contestant Luke Worley revealed. Stars also have their personal phones confiscated and are given a device by production which prevents them from having too much contact with the outside world.

Those who take part in the show are also not allowed to drink too much alcohol, according to Erica Roberts, who was matched with Jordan Gayle. She previously shared: “If [the crew] could see someone was having too much, or it was getting a bit out of hand, the alcohol would stop.”

Do couples actually get married?

Even though the show is called Married at First Sight, the couples don’t actually enter into a legally binding marriage on their wedding days. A spokesperson for the show previously said: “Following the Australian format, rather than legal marriages, the couples will make a lifelong commitment to one another at a glamorous ceremony, overseen by a wedding celebrant, that includes guests, bridal gowns, dancing, speeches and cake.

“After the ceremony and celebrations are over, true love is well and truly put to the test, as they embark on a luxurious honeymoon, before moving in with each other AND their fellow couples. Relationships will be put under the microscope, by fellow brides and grooms at weekly dinner parties – as well as by the experts, at recurring commitment ceremonies, where couples choose whether they want to stay in or leave the process.”

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Sept. 15 (UPI) — Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed the United States’ relationships with Israel and Arab states during a meeting Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.

The meeting comes less than a week after Israel said it targeted Hamas leaders in an airstrike on Qatar’s capital, Doha. Hamas confirmed the attack killed five members but not any senior officials.

Speaking at a news conference the meeting with Netanyahu, Rubio said every country was allowed “to defend itself beyond its borders.”

Asked whether the United States was involved in the planning of the strikes on Doha, Netanyahu told reporters, “We did it on our own. Period.” He said the relationship between Israel and the United States was as “durable as the stones in the Western Wall.”

The two leaders visited the holy site in Jerusalem’s Old City, with Rubio placing a note into the cracks of the wall.

“Your presence here today sends a clear message that America stands with Israel,” Netanyahu told Rubio.

Rubio, meanwhile, also told reporters that the United States maintains a strong relationship with Qatar and other Arab allies, who were meeting in an emergency session in Doha on Monday.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani called on international leaders to punish Israel for the strike and stop holding the country to “double standards,” according to BBC News.

An unnamed source familiar with the meeting told CBS News that leaders at the meeting were expected to sign a draft resolution condemning Israel’s “hostile acts, including genocide, ethnic cleansing, [and] starvation” in Gaza.

A State Department official told CBS News that after Monday’s meeting with Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Rubio plans to travel to Qatar before heading to Britain for President Donald Trump‘s state visit.

A third of Brits have holiday romances, and many are now using dating apps to find love abroad

After exhausting all their local dating app options, singletons are now seeking love abroad this summer. A survey of 2,000 solo travellers revealed that two-thirds have reactivated a dormant dating app to find romance overseas. One in five have even chosen their holiday destination based on its dating potential, with a third expressing interest in dating locals.

Among those who have already dated abroad, one in five said they learnt more about the culture when dating a local. However, while one in ten stated that finding a holiday romance is a travel priority – with men more likely than women to continue a holiday romance back home – a third admitted they are great for short-term fun.

When attempting to get to know someone local, four out of ten have experienced embarrassing translation issues, accidentally swearing or unintentionally insulting their date.

As a result, to avoid any miscommunication, a quarter have turned to language learning apps to expand their limited knowledge. However, one in ten have had to ghost an interest on dating apps abroad due to roaming costs.

The study by OnePoll.com found that a third have been hit with a higher-than-expected roaming charge when abroad.

Some travellers have faced a bill of over £150 after using their data, while a quarter have paid for extra roaming data to message someone whilst there.

Lewis Henry from iD Mobile, which commissioned the research and offers inclusive roaming as standard across 50 worldwide destinations, said: “Whether it’s sparks in Seville or soul-searching in Santorini, we want our customers to stay connected – for love, fun and everything in between.”

To assist modern holidaymakers in finding the perfect connection, iD Mobile has partnered with TV personality and relationships guru Anna Richardson to provide Brits with practical advice for navigating romance whilst travelling.

“Travellers are shifting away from the idea that holiday romance has to mean something short-lived or superficial. Whether it’s a deep conversation over dinner in Florence or a hike with a local in Croatia, it’s about connection, not just chemistry,” Anna said.

“Flirting abroad can be exciting and memorable, but it’s easy to put your foot in it if you’re not tuned into the local culture. “

ANNA RICHARDSON’S TOP FIVE TIPS FOR DATING ABROAD:

1. Use apps to your advantage: From dating to translation tools, tech can be a bridge – just always double-check before hitting send to avoid awkward misunderstandings!
2. Read the room (and the culture): Swot up before diving blindly into an awkward situation. A kiss on the cheek in one place might mean something more elsewhere.
3. Flirting is about confidence: It’s not all about chemistry. A great connection can start with something simple, like offering local tips or asking for recommendations.
4. Learn a few local phrases: A little effort goes a long way and shows genuine interest.
5. Don’t let roaming kill the mood: Ghosting because of mobile charges? Not a good look! Choose a plan that enables you to stay connected without worry.

A woman has been left fuming after her partner did something ‘inexcusable’ while they were waiting to board a plane – and thousands of people said she should’ve left him to fly alone

Many find the airport experience nerve-wracking, with a several potential mishaps standing between them and their much-anticipated getaway. From the horror of a travel companion forgetting to pack their passport to the frustration of endless flight delays, the journey to your holiday can be fraught with tension.

However, amid the chaos and stress, there’s an unspoken rule that insists on keeping your travel party together, unless you’ve agreed otherwise beforehand. Sticking together not only ensures everyone is accounted for in case of issues like boarding denials but also makes the long and often tedious wait at the airport more enjoyable for everyone involved.

So, when Elizabeth Anne Schon discovered her partner had abandoned her in the boarding queue to scramble onto the plane first, her irritation was palpable.

“Men constantly walking five steps ahead is bad… but this made me not want to even board the plane,” she expressed in her TikTok video, which has now racked up over 7.9 million views.

Elizabeth captured the moment her other half darted off towards the gate, leaving her to navigate the snaking queue alone, in the viral clip.

“I almost turned around,” she added in the video’s caption.

In a follow-up video, Elizabeth recalled how her partner had pushed to join the boarding queue before their zone was called, despite her objections.

She then went on use the bathroom before their flight, only to find her partner no where to be seen when she returned.

Upon returning to the gate, she discovered her partner had joined the queue despite what she said, leaving her to face the long line alone as she watched him get the okay to board their flight ahead of her.

The video quickly amassed thousands of comments, with many siding with Elizabeth, confessing they would have been tempted to leave the airport altogether if faced with the same situation.

“I bet he wouldn’t do that to any of his friends,” commented one viewer, while another remarked: “I would have let him get on and went home… what kind of vacation would it be with him anyways.”

Someone else recommended: “Ask if you can upgrade that ticket. Wave to him from first class and tell him the stewardess upgraded you because she felt bad you were traveling alone.

“Hey so flying somewhere with your partner is meant to be exciting and full of inside jokes and talking about what food you’re gonna eat,” pointed out another. “Him being 30 people ahead on purpose you need to book separate accommodation and file for divorce before you waste even more of your time.”

Yet, there was also a voice of dissent, with one person suggesting: “I’d like to hear both sides of the story. Zero context and roasting online? Red flag.”

Tam Kaur, a 24-year-old YouTuber, is telling women to leave their boyfriends at home and solo travel – something she promised herself she’d do before she got in a relationship

A woman says ditching her boyfriend to go on holiday alone is key to the success of their relationship.

Tam Kaur, a 24-year-old YouTuber, is telling women to leave their boyfriends at home and solo travel. The Londoner has travelled by herself to Paris, Amsterdam, Cyprus, and even New York, and is now urging others to follow in her footsteps.

“Before I met my boyfriend, I made a promise to myself that I would still prioritise me, and solo travel is what that looks like. So many women leave this behind when they get partners because we’re expected to holiday with them, but that’s just not necessary in my eyes,” she said.

Tam first explored solo travelling in late 2023, sharing her trip to Amsterdam online and documenting her first-ever flight alone.

READ MORE: Brit expat in Benidorm warns ‘tourists are getting robbed’ because of one mistake

“I was terrified. I was so used to my boyfriend leading me through the airport, but solo travel was on my bucket list, so I did it anyway. It changed everything for me. It helped me discover my love of solo travel,” she said.

“You learn to be okay being alone with your thoughts. You learn how to book your own table, ask strangers for photos, and talk to people you wouldn’t otherwise meet. It’s a huge confidence builder in the most unexpected ways.”

While the experience of going it alone has been mostly positive, there have been harder moments.

“Confidence isn’t something I was born with. I built it, trip by trip, flight by flight, and it’s still a work in progress. Originally I felt deeply uncomfortable about taking a flight on my own, staying in a hotel alone, travelling all alone in a foreign place where people speak a different language,” Tam said.

“It’s scary, but I’ve managed to do it all multiple times and it wasn’t half as scary as I thought it would be. For any woman who wants to try it, I’d recommend starting small. Take yourself on a solo date in your hometown first, then build up to a staycation, and eventually travel abroad.”

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Today, Tam’s social channels boast more than three million followers, and she has released a book, Buy Yourself The Damn Flowers.

“Whether you’re single, taken, or somewhere in between, every woman deserves to feel like she’s enough on her own and a solo trip is a beautiful reminder of that,” Tam said.

Tam is not the only one to enjoy a solo trip. Last year, the Mirror’s Jackie Annett headed to Turkey for her first lone holiday.

“Every year, three million Brits travel to Turkey with Babadag mountain in Oludeniz being one of the top paragliding destinations in the world. But did you know Turkey is also one of the most popular countries for people holidaying alone or enjoying a ‘Me Moon?’” she wrote.

“Less than 24 hours earlier, I’d arrived at the Mirona Deluxe Hotel not quite sure what to expect from my first solo holiday. Now that my daughter’s almost all grown up, I want to spend more time seeing the world and I don’t see why being single should stop me.”

Click here to read her full report.

A woman has shared the reality of being married to a pilot – and it’s not what you might think, with a particular regime she has to do every morning for her husband

Ever wondered what it’s like to be married to a pilot? A woman has shared a glimpse into her life with her pilot husband, and there’s one thing she has to do every morning.

While we might assume that being married to a pilot comes with perks such as luxurious trips and free travel, the reality seems quite different. Ashton, known as @ashtonvonkessler on TikTok, took to the social media platform to reveal the reality.

In a TikTok video that went viral with over 300K likes and almost 500 comments, Ashton can be seen waking up at unusual hours to drive her husband to the airport. Ensuring he arrives for his shift before sunrise, she can be seen donning cosy wear and her hair tied up in a messy bun for the drive, showing the reality of their early morning routine.

At the end of the clip, Ashton kisses her husband as he waves goodbye to start his next shift. Rain or shine, Ashton is committed to waking up at all hours to ensure her husband gets to work.

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Captioning the video, Ashton wrote: “You married a pilot, so you also signed up for the 5am drop-offs.” She also mentioned that she asked him to wake her up five minutes before they needed to leave so she could find her slippers.

Life as a pilot’s wife seems rather hectic, especially when early morning airport drop-offs are part of the routine. It’s a commitment to seriously early starts for life.

Since sharing the video, hundreds of people have commented, asking all sorts of questions. Many even expressed their interest in dating a pilot themselves.

One social media user quipped: “Him driving y’all to the airport only for yourself to drive yourself back home is so unbelievably accurate.” Echoing the sentiment, another chimed in: “As a pilot daughter, valid.”

A third person joined in with a laugh: “Haha, this is so accurate, and the slippers too.” On a different note, a fourth shared: “Lol, don’t worry that stops when you have kids. The kids love picking him up though.”

Ashton also opened up to her followers about her husband’s journey to becoming a pilot, which took four years, and gushed that they’re super happy together. Regarding those late-night airport runs, she revealed they typically happen at 11pm, leading to some seriously long days.

She further reassured curious commenters that despite the odd hours, they manage plenty of quality time together. In response to queries about their time spent together, Ashton disclosed: “Almost everyday. He is only gone a couple of days at a time, and I follow him on trips sometimes.”

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While the secret island doesn’t show up on maps, hundred of adventurous Brits escape there every summer where connections are anything but conventional

“You’re on an island where anything goes, but it feels incredibly safe nothing happens without consent. It’s like Disneyland for swingers” – so says one of the holidaymakers to the so-called ‘Spicy Island’, where Brits indulge in their wildest fantasies.

Amanda Leigh, a 38-year-old dancer, found unexpected freedom in a hidden swingers‘ haven off Croatia’s coast. She anticipated a “hot girl summer” but ended up meeting her now-partner Alex, during a skinny-dipping adventure amid strangers.

Her journey into the swinging lifestyle began over a decade ago at an adult-only resort in Mexico. Now, she’s a seasoned participant, with Spicy Island being her destination of choice.

“Last year I met Alex and this year we’re ready to open our relationship up,” Amanda shares. “I want to fulfil the ‘hot wife’ fantasy and I’m looking forward to exploring this further.”

The exclusive two-week getaway, now in its third edition, is run by Spicy Match, who take over the entire island for as many as 600 guests. The secret location is revealed only once attendees board on the boat from the mainland.

The ticket prices range from £1,000 for a simple bell tent to £2,500 for a luxurious two-bedroom sun lodge, complete with meals, fire-eaters and educational sex seminars.

“You only find out where it is when you get on the boat,” reveals Amanda. It was on this mysterious hour-long boat ride that she encountered Alex, a spa technician.

“I couldn’t get over how hot Alex was,” she confesses. “We started flirting right then and there, and by the third night we were together while skinny-dipping in the pool.”

The pair didn’t end up swinging with anyone else, instead spending the trip getting to know one another. Amanda says the sex was “incredible” and finds the freedom of being intimate on the beach or in front of others “very liberating”.

READ MORE: Lovehoney flash sale slashes prices of ‘must have’ summer items to under £20

Upon arrival, guests are greeted with a welcome bag containing condoms and wristbands to tell them apart from staff. Video recording guests is banned, but stripping down is encouraged.

The resort designates “play area” zones for various interests – couples, singles, and those into BDSM.

Amanda wants to set the record straight on swinging, noting: “People think swingers are gross or glorified cheaters. But it’s about consent and communication. You’re free from unwanted advances – it’s nothing like a standard nightclub.”

The island attracts people of all ages, including James and Katherine Gordon, 55-year-old sweethearts from Kent who have been swinging since their teens.

Katherine shares with confidence: “We’ve been to swingers events all over the world; the island ranks at the top. We’ll literally say, we’re into full swapping and single men.”

Before arriving, they’d already connected with others online and planned to meet for dinner in the port town. “Last year, 40 of us had dinner together the night before we left,” Katherine recounts. “It’s easy to build connections before you’ve even arrived.”

She admits her preference for younger men often takes the lead when it comes to flirting. James humorously remarks that he is content to “outsource” these days, admitting he can’t keep up.

“The meals on the island are communal, so we sit next to people we think we’ll vibe with,” she continues. “You flirt like you would in any bar or club.”

Katherine reveals that while she may be reserved in day-to-day life, this lifestyle unveils a more audacious side of her. They reserve a two-bed lodge, dedicating one room for rest and the other for enjoyment.

“It just suits us better,” she confides. “And after 30 years, we’ve made a lot of friends here.”

She describes the atmosphere as inviting: “You might see people having sex on verandas or making out on shared beds or you might find someone quietly reading a book.”

Meanwhile, Katie Jones, 38, and husband Simon, 49, from Hertfordshire, gear up for their second jaunt to the island, having stumbled upon it during a trip to the French naturist resort Cap d’Agde.

Embracing the liberty to be nude, unwind or participate, Katie shares, “You can find a quiet spot or join the pool parties – there’s an amazing energy.”

Despite the anything-goes atmosphere, she notes that the retreat doesn’t rely on booze to get the party started. “People don’t get too drunk because it’s about sex and alcohol doesn’t help with that.”

She describes the event as liberating and relaxed. “If you’re curious, you can come and see what you find. You don’t have to swing but it’s all there if you want it.”

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Ann Summer’s festival collection includes eye-catching bodysuits and faux leather shorts – some of which are on sale.