Married At First Sight’s Richelle hits back after quitting show and reveals reason she walked off – and it wasn’t Orson
MARRIED At First Sight’s Richelle has revealed the real reason she quit the show.
The 48-year-old, who tied the knot with groom Orson Nurse, 41, became the second bride to walk away from the show in just its first week.
She has kept tight-lipped on her departure but a critical comment on an Instagram post about her skincare routine sparked her into life.
Responding to a viewer who mocked her leaving in tears after hitting out at Orson’s “sob story”, Richelle replied: “I’m so glad someone brought this up, been dying to speak on that.”
Setting the record straight, she continued: “My personal ‘sob story’ had nothing whatsoever to do with him or relationship heartbreak.
“In reality I was upset with production for trying to get me to talk on camera about unresolved family issues that I specifically said I wasn’t willing to spk about. Why? Because its not entertainment fodder and that is the reason I left so yea thanks for bringing up.
“They did both of us dirty with that edit x.”
Admitting her time with Orson wasn’t all glum faces and rows, she continued: “We did have some good times together during the honeymoon but they were hellbent on creating drama out of nowhere which was exhausting.
“I was just so out of my comfort zone tbh but tried to get into it when I went bk in. The whole experience was just wild tbh lol x.”
The experiment got too much for Richelle during a conversation with ‘husband’ Orson on their last day in Mauritius.
Richelle had asked to spend time apart, but when they reunited in the evening the tension between them hadn’t eased.
Before she could get her words out she began to cry, and said: “I think I’m done here guys”.
Richelle thought she spotted ‘red flags’ in Orson when he revealed he had been cheated on five years ago and said he wasn’t quite over it.
She also felt that he wasn’t being genuine with her when he said he had feelings for her after meeting only a few days before.
Born in Ghana, before moving to the UK aged 2, Richelle is the head of alternative markets for an investment company.
She also has a degree in politics and worked as a business consultant for many years.
Mum to a 20-year-old daughter, whom she lives with, Richelle said she was now on the lookout for a life partner to feel complete.
Orson appeared to be a good match on paper as the high-flying businesswoman said she was looking for a man who is fit, funny and financially independent.
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.”