Channel 4 make major change to Married At First Sight to create even more drama
I’M not sure if this is possible, but it seems Married At First Sight bosses want even more drama this series.
Last year’s rollercoaster swung from wife-swapping and explosive rows between singletons to the romance of the franchise’s first lesbian couple, Jenna Robinson and Zoe Clifton.
But it looks like E4 intends to somehow top those scenes.
I can reveal the channel is supersizing the experience for 2023, scheduling a longer run than ever, and including even more pairings.
A source said: “Last year’s MAFS cemented the series among the reality big guns like Love Island and Big Brother.
“The mix of couples made for electrifying telly and the weekly dinner parties were more explosive than ever, plus there were some genuinely sweet moments where matches paid off. Fans can expect a lot more of the same, with some new exciting twists.”
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The dating show sees strangers matched by a team of experts before they meet for the first time on their wedding day.
Dating experts Mel Schilling, Paul C Brunson and Charlene Douglas will again lead the search.
The UK version launched in 2015, after Danish, American and Australian runs.
Last year, the seventh series was the most-watched show on Channel 4, with 51.7million total views.
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Our source said: “Viewers love how the cast is more varied. Jenna and Zoe sparked important conversations around veganism, then Dreamboys stripper Pjay opened debate on adult work.
“It makes for a more interesting watch than buff young things chatting about cheating on Love Island.”
The show’s success hasn’t gone unnoticed, with ITV set to explore mid-life dating with Romance Retreat and Netflix launching a UK version of Love Is Blind.
But it seems MAFS is ready to fight for its crown.
It's all go for Danni
SINCE leaving A Place In The Sun last year, presenter Danni Menzies hasn’t had much luck.
First she split from her boyfriend, ex-soldier Simon Moloney, then suffered serious facial injuries in October after being hit by a stolen moped.
But she’s felt more positive since starring on Mark Wright's Paramount+ series The Challenge UK – and told me of her career now: “I’m at a stage where I would give anything a go. You watch something like Celebs Go Dating and I’d be quite up for that because it looks quite good fun. So we’ll see what happens next year.”
She added of men: “I’ve been ready for a relationship for a while now, I just pick the bad boys. Everyone says men should be sliding into my DMs. You’d be surprised how little men that I would date slide into my DMs. Just doesn’t really happen.”
Sounds like a challenge.
Brenda blasts race trolls
LOOSE Women’s Brenda Edwards has blasted a troll who slated an episode featuring an all-black panel.
She was joined by Charlene White, Judi Love and Kelle Bryan to celebrate her late son Jamal Edwards.
After a claim the show was “anti-white”, Brenda said: “We’re just 4 talented, strong women.”
Gift of the grab, Steven?
OUTLANDER star Steven Cree's new drama The Diplomat, about the British consulate In Barcelona, might seem all work, no play.
But the actor, who co-stars with Peaky Blinders and Gentleman Jack’s Sophie Rundle, has revealed he has a sex scene shortly into episode one.
It’s not the first time things have got steamy on set for Steven, though.
He said: “When I filmed Terminator: Dark Fate with Linda Hamilton, I had a fight scene in which her character was meant to grab keys from my pocket but she accidentally grabbed my manhood. She said: ‘Oh God, I’m sorry’.”
The Diplomat streams on UKTV’s Alibi channel from tomorrow.
Ant they Decent
ANT and Dec proved they still rule primetime as they returned with Saturday Night Takeaway.
Viewers peaked at 5.8million as the Geordie duo welcomed stars including David Tennant and Alison Hammond.
ITV said they bagged a 43 per cent share of elusive 16-34 year-old viewers.
Bruno's street smart
AMONG the buzzer-bashing, glam gowns and talent-judging, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, Simon Cowell and Bruno Tonioli found time to see the sights while in Manchester recently.
I can reveal the foursome made use of a break during Britain’s Got Talent auditions to visit the Coronation Street set.
A source said: “Every-one was excited to be back in Manchester after three years away.
“What better way to initiate Bruno and celebrate being back up north than a trip to the cobbles?
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“The judges had a trip into Roy’s Rolls and a quick snap outside the Rovers Return.”
Wonder if they popped inside to buy Bruno a welcome drink?