MAFS UK fans slam ‘cruel’ show as bride’s kids were ‘used for drama’ in ‘unfair’ match
MAFS UK fans have accused the show of using a bride’s kids for drama in an “unfair” match.
The dating experiment promises to match strangers on their personalities, likes and dislikes to test whether love can grow.
But viewers were furious last night when they saw Alex Henry, who has been hit with abuse allegations, and his reaction to finding out his bride is a mum.
Alex wed stunning brunette Holly and they appeared to have amazing chemistry at the altar.
But within minutes Holly admitted to camera that she was nervous about telling her new hubby – who she branded ‘so sexy’ when she met him – that she had kids.
As the pair had their post ceremony pictures taken, she broke the news and Alex initially appeared to take the news in his stride, telling her: “Ok…. I got you though, don’t worry.”
But he revealed his true feelings when quizzed by Holly’s best pal Jack at the reception.
“One of [her children] is a teenager, how does that make you feel getting involved in that kind of stuff,” asked Jack in a frank chat.
And not mincing his words, Alex revealed his brutal reaction.
“I’ll keep it real with you, bro,” he said. “When I first came into this, because I don’t have kids of my own, I don’t have them fatherly instincts, because I haven’t had to have them fatherly instincts. So it was a preference if they didn’t have kids.”
After seeing Jack’s unimpressed face, Alex then attempted to backtrack somewhat, adding: “But you know what it is for me, when I fall head over heels for someone, I overlook all of that s*** for that person.”
Reacting to the scenes, one viewer said: “Matching people with or do want children with those who don’t have/don’t want children is kinda cruel.”
Another said: “What’s the point of preferences if they’re still going to completely ignore them?
“Kids aren’t a hair colour, they’re a lifestyle, if he isn’t interested in kids it’s not fair on either of them to be matched.”
However, one more person said in his defence: “I wouldn’t randomly want teenage kids either.”
A group of women have clubbed together to petition Channel 4 to reconsider airing scenes including personal trainer Alex, from Birmingham.
They accused Alex of “abuse” after his MAFS UK promo was revealed – with one branding him a “dangerous individual”.
Despite this, Channel 4 insisted Alex would remain in the edit of the current series.
A rep for MAFS UK told The Sun: “The welfare of our contributors is of paramount importance and, as such, we take all allegations of unacceptable behaviour seriously.
“We are aware of an allegation against a Married at First Sight UK 2024 contributor and we have responded directly to those who came to us with that allegation.
“As part of our responsibility to safeguard our contributors, everyone taking part in MAFSUK undergoes a rigorous vetting process, involving a criminal record check and multiple psychological evaluations, before they can be cleared to take part.
“The DBS (criminal record) check carried out on the contributor raised in the allegation was returned clear.
“We cast contributors based on the information we are legally able to access and we continue to review this process to ensure checks are as thorough as legally possible.”
Mafs couples that have stood the test of time
Loved-up Tayah Victoria and Adam Aveling of series six fame had the first Mafs baby.
The pair couldn’t keep their hands off each other on the programme and quickly found their feet in the outside world, moving into Adam’s Doncaster home.
Just 18 months after meeting, the couple welcomed their daughter Beau.
Season five couple Michelle Walder and Owen Jenkins also managed to make their marriage work away from the cameras and had their first child in December.
Teacher Michelle, 29, has no regrets about taking part in the experiment. She told us: “I just feel very lucky and thankful that it has worked out – and excited for everything to come.”
Michelle and Owen were both sick of dating apps when they applied in 2019.
Owen recalled: “I had been out for some drinks with a friend after work.
“While he was out for a cigarette I was scrolling on Instagram waiting for him to come back in.
“The MAFS advert was the last thing I saw, and I joked, ‘Wouldn’t it be funny if I signed up?’
“A few beers later when I was back at home I sent in the application, and the rest is history.”
Another couple to make Mafs UK history is Zoe Clifton and Jenna Robinson.
Despite a slight rocky start, where they clashed over Jenna’s vegan lifestyle, the show’s first same sex pairing are still going strong.
They even have a successful podcast together called Life With a Pod.
Jenna shed light on being involved in the show earlier this year when she told us: “We’re not legally married, and I never felt like we were. I definitely feel the process makes you take the relationship a lot more seriously and having the help of the experts… if you can survive that process it sets a firm foundation for a long-lasting relationship.”