The end of the bombshell ninth series of Married At First Sight is finally here – with the final reunion episode airing last night (November 14).
This season has been a notably explosive one, complete with wine throwing and wife swapping. Wednesday night’s dinner party proved to be especially dramatic, with already broken bonds going up in flames in a dramatic fashion. And there were a lot of further twists and turns.
There has of course also been plenty of romantic moments, with some besotted couples making it all the way to their second lot of vows relatively unscathed. However, as former participants know all too well, the fairytale can easily shatter after leaving the bubble of the ever eventful dating show. So which couples have stood the test of time, and which ones have gone up in smoke?
Charlie and Eve
Charlie and Eve appeared smitten on their wedding day, and viewers initially assumed they were a match made in heaven. Unfortunately, everything unravelled during their honeymoon from hell, which saw the couple’s drastically different communication styles collide in a series of heated rows.
While lettings agent Charlie fell quickly for her bride, fitness coach Eve made it clear she wanted space. The distance between them only grew once they were back in the UK, with Eve opting to live in a separate apartment. The brides eventually reached breaking point when Eve refused to carry out a letter writing task the experts had assigned them – despite Charlie pouring her heart out in hers.
During an appearance on show’s official podcast MAFS UK: It’s Official with host Chloe Burrows, Charlie admitted that Eve’s decision not to partake in the task ultimately resulted in them parting ways. Charlie, who says her brain ‘clicked’ at that point, revealed: “She was just sticking to her guns. In her eyes, I just wasn’t the right person for her. It was for the best by the point [of the second commitment ceremony], there was no coming back for me.”
Eve and Charlie became the first of the couples to leave the experiment, quitting just before the second commitment ceremony. As viewers tuned in to watch the action unfold, Charlie took to Instagram Stories to share how the show had affected her. Charlie said: “What happened, happened, it is what it is. It was a really, really, really tough journey. But a time has passed, I’m happy, I’m doing well.”
As for Belfast-based Eve, she appears to have moved on with a new girlfriend, images obtained by The Sun, the 31-year-old can be seen embracing a mystery woman an an airport in Ibiza, with the pair also reportedly seen kissing. An onlooker told the publication: “Eve seemed really loved up with the girl at the airport. She had her arm around Eve’s waist as they were waiting to check in their bags. Then when we took the photo she put up her hood as if she didn’t want to be seen.”
The snaps were taken two weeks into MAFS’ E4 run, with the show having been filmed earlier this year. It doesn’t appear Eve and Charlie are still in touch, and the former newlyweds don’t follow each other on Instagram. Meanwhile, Eve has dropped further hints on social media that there’s a new woman in her life, holding a romantic hand holding pic with the caption, “Somebody making me smile the whole weekend.”
Orson and Richelle
Orson and Richelle left the experiment in week six, and it was clear for a while beforehand that they fell decidedly short of newlywed bliss. During their honeymoon, Richelle became irritated by Orson discussing his heartbreak over being cheated on five years ago, which she dismissed as ‘sob stories’.
Apparently disappointed that Orson wasn’t the ‘strong man’ she was looking for, things continued to nosedive from there, with Richelle making it crystal clear that she was far from enamoured by her groom. In one particularly memorable exchange, Richelle fired off at Orson for not being registered on Companies House.
Keen to revive his flagging marriage, Orson opted to stay for another week ahead of the couple’s retreat – a decision that prompted Richelle to brand him as a ‘cretin’. The couple steered clear of each other during the retreat, during which Orson, 41, became close with bride Hannah, whose own relationship had also sunk abysmally.
After learning of a kiss between the two, Richelle laid into Orson one last time at the following commitment ceremony with a tirade of insults. Business consultant Richelle, 48, said: “I find him quite weak-willed. You really aren’t as sharp as you think you are. It’s pretty obvious I think to most people, you are a bit simple.”
Needless to say, both parties opted to leave and it’s unlikely we’ll be seeing any reunion pics anytime soon. Richelle has since released the following statement regarding her time on MAFS, claiming that it had not been ‘an equal and fair playing field’.
She said: “Anyone who has had to live through the consequences of deceit, whether in a relationship and/or professional life will tell you they never once looked back and thought, ‘well at least I was kind’. Personally, at my age now, I know I’d rather be thought of as ‘vile and mean’ than be a MUG.”
As revealed in the recent reunion dinner episode, Orson and Hannah did go on a date, but there wasn’t enough of a connection to pursue anything. He is reportedly now dating Harriet Southan – the sister of Big Brother star Henry, who finished in third place in last year’s revival series of Big Brother on ITV.
Hannah and Stephen
After a dreamy wedding day, Hannah and Stephen’s shiny new marriage entered nightmare territory on their honeymoon, with Stephen panicking that Hannah was going to share an undisclosed secret he’d told her off camera, during a tense on-screen moment.
Although Hannah was adamant that she would do no such thing, their bond never really healed and, by the time Stephen voted leave in the very first commitment ceremony it was clear there was little chance of reconciliation. Follow-up meetings were tense to say the least – not helped by Hannah’s various clashes with a number of fellow brides, who accused her of flirting with their grooms.
Meanwhile, Stephen’s eye was also wandering elsewhere, developing a crush on bride Sionainn, who didn’t return his feelings. The kiss of death came when Hannah and Orson admitted to locking lips during the retreat, in a wife swap bombshell that rocked the experiment.
Participants were shaken once more when Hannah walked into the reunion dinner with groom Ryan, but the pair insisted they were just good friends. It was also revealed during the boys and girls’ nights that Stephen had reached out to Sionainn to ask her out on a date, but she declined.
Sionainn and Ryan
Sionainn and Ryan left the experiment in week six, after having a major row off camera. Confiding in her fellow brides at the time, Glaswegian girl Sionainn claimed that Ryan had spoken to her ‘really, really poorly’, before revealing that he’d faked his feelings. She alleged: “He decided to tell me that none of his feelings had ever been real. He’d been faking it all. It was all a holiday romance for him.”
Binman Ryan has since opened up about their fractured relationship via Instagram, describing his MAFS journey as an ’emotional rollercoaster’. Claiming that he’d ‘tried his best’, Ryan told followers: “I was starting to develop real feelings and it meant a lot to hear Sionainn say she felt ‘safe and comfortable’ around me. This is something I truly pride myself on, not only as a man but also as a dad.”
“I wish things would have turned out differently but now feels like the right time for myself and Sionainn to leave the experiment and I wish her all the best for the future. I will always be grateful for the experience and the opportunity to learn and grow as a person as I continue to take these life lessons into my future.”
Although there have been rumours of a romance between Ryan and Hannah, with the pair having been photographed at the same festivals over the summer, it’s understood the pair are just friends.
Alex and Holly
One of the fieriest couples in the show, Alex and Holly left in week seven – but eagle eyed fans have been surprised to see the pair reconnecting outside of the experiment in recent times. Earlier this month, the former spouses were spotted looking very cosy during a lively night in Manchester, while they recently embarked on a road trip to the Yorkshire Dales, documenting their adventure via Instagram.
Alex cheekily captioned the reel: “Day out with my ex-wife,” while mum Holly, who has reportedly faced death threats over her heated clashes with Hannah, told followers: “I’m out with my ex-husband today.” She added: “We’re going to show you exactly what we’re like when we’re together.”
The footage shows the pair bantering together amicably over Alex’s punctuality, and breaking out into a fun car karaoke session. They also took the time to discuss their shared MAFS journey, with Alex recalling that he’d thought Holly was the one when she “clicked with [his] family” on their wedding day.
Emma and Caspar
Emma and Caspar had a bumpy ride from the get-go, with Emma immediately reminding Caspar of his twin sister who he professed to ‘hate’. Gardener Caspar then put his foot in it again during their honeymoon, after telling her that he didn’t find her sexy and that he ‘rarely goes for the curvier’ person.
Despite their differences, the pair did strike up a bond, sharing some fun moments and even a cheeky ‘snog’. However, romance just wasn’t on the cards, and they ended up leaving the experiment on relatively amicable terms in week seven.
During the recent dinner reunion, it appeared there was no bad blood between the pair, who joked back and forth about how terrible they’d been at being husband and wife, with Emma even giving Caspar a cheeky four out of 10 in terms of husband ranking.In a touching move, Caspar showed Emma that he was still wearing his wedding ring, which he kept on a necklace.
He explained: “It’s still part of my life, isn’t it?” Thankfully, all the tension of the previous weeks, potentially paving the way for a sweet platonic friendship.
Kristina and Kieran
With their lively and quirky personalities, Kristina and Kieran initially appeared made for each other – but as the weeks went on, cracks began to show, with Kieran admitting he didn’t know whether he could be there for a partner who suffered from severe PMDD.
To the sadness of fans who’d been rooting for them, they ended up leaving the experiment in week eight, with Kieran also expressing fears that Kristina reminded him too much of his ex. Taking to Instagram after the episode aired, Geordie Kieran addressed Kristina directly, writing: “Kristina, first of all, I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I couldn’t be there for you, I’m sorry that I’ve been trying to decide over the last couple of weeks whether I have it in me or not. I’m sorry I voiced that you have similarities to a previous relationship, and I never meant to compare you. I’m just sorry I couldn’t make it work.”
Although they appear to be on friendly enough terms, animal reiki healer Kristina’s heartbreak was clear to see as she reunited with her ex, especially after he admitted he had gone on to have another short-lived relationship after the experiment finished.
Amy and Luke
Wedding planner Amy’s rejection of Luke at final vows made her thoughts on the relationship clear as day. Clad in funeral attire, the fed-up bride told Luke: “This marriage is done, dead, deceased. I stand here in front of you today wearing black to mourn its death. RIP.”
Luke wasn’t quite ready to give up on Amy just yet, and sent her a letter alongside a turtle brooch – to remember happier times on their honeymoon. As he entered the reunion dinner, charmer Luke told fellow participants that, if Amy walked in wearing the brooch, then he knew he had a chance of winning her over.
Viewers initially thought this was a very sweet gesture – until Amy divulged the contents of the allegedly explicit letter. Recalling Luke’s x-rated message, Amy said: “‘I’ve been thinking about you. I miss you. I miss waking up next to you’. It said ‘I keep saying no regrets. I keep having one regret. When you were cooking I wish I got down on my knees and terrorised your b*****e.” After that he said ‘PS write to me. I’d like that’.”
MAFS expert Charlene Douglas noted: “If Luke wants to win back Amy, he hasn’t gone about it the right way. She’s made it very clear she doesn’t like that sexual language.”
Polly and Adam
Polly and Adam parted on absolutely dire terms, after one of the most tumultuous relationships of the series. From the beginning, Adam was upfront about not feeling a spark with Polly, who in turn grew frustrated with his lack of affection and PDA.
After weeks of bickering, things ramped up before final vows, with Polly blasting Adam as a ‘c***’ and a ‘narcissist’. It was no surprise when the pair decided to finally part ways after exchanging their vows, but this wasn’t the end of their explosive arguments.
At the dinner party reunion, Polly accused Adam of being a ‘liar’, which he in turn refuted, revealing intimate details about their sex life, claiming: “You used to lie in bed and ask, ‘Why won’t you f*** me?’. You used to moan like a child.”
Furious, Polly chucked a glass of red wine over her former hubby and stormed off, but later returned and apologised after a cooling off chat with the girls. Both Polly and Adam have faced criticism over how they handled the situation, and it’s unlikely they’ll be meeting up for a nice glass of red together anytime soon.
Ross and Sacha
Ross and Sacha said yes at final vows, with Ross agreeing to make the move to Walsall. Geographical distance has been an issue for the pair for some time, with Ross having been keen to stay in Manchester to be near his young daughter Blue. Sacha in turn is very close to her own family, and couldn’t bear to leave them – or Walsall’s card accepting ice cream van – behind.
Despite having had disagreements, the couple seemed very loved up at the dinner party. However, they have since parted ways, with dad-of-one Ross revealing that they’d separated after sharing snaps with his new girlfriend.
A source told MailOnline : “Sacha had an incredible experience filming Married At First Sight UK and she truly thought her marriage with Ross would work. She moved to Manchester to be with him but after just two weeks he went cold and ended their romance for good.”
They continued: “Sacha was devastated and now watching their journey back as the show airs makes processing their break-up even harder. Producers weren’t happy either… Ross gave away that he and Sacha were no longer together by posting photos with his new girlfriend. He had no problem flaunting his romance despite the fact it would hurt his ex-wife’s feelings.”
Nathan and Lacey
Nathan and Lacey said yes at their final vows, after declaring their love for each other under the stars. Sadly, their starry eyed romance has since come to an end, with the relationship having reportedly ‘fizzled out’. A source told The Sun : “Nathan and Lacey really tried to make their relationship work in the real world but it just fizzled after a while.”
They added: “The final vows were filmed in February and they were still going strong in April when the reunion was shot, but since then they have called in quits. They were both sad it didn’t work out, but sadly it wasn’t meant to be.”
“It’s also a big blow for fans who were really invested in their relationship. They were widely viewed as the strongest couple of the series so the news that they are no longer an item is such a shame.”
You can stream the reunion episode of Married At First Sight UK on All4.