Inside trashiest ever Married At First Sight UK as it takes on Australian version with sex and rows
MARRIED At First Sight is back - and it's been spiced up the max to make it more like the Aussie version that had viewers hooked during lockdown.
The revamped UK series sees dating experts Mel Schilling, Paul C. Brunson and Charlene Douglas help the couples involved in the experiment, which has jumped from two to eight, to navigate their path to true love.
Every week, the newlyweds meet the relationship gurus in a commitment ceremony and declare, in front of the other couples, whether they want to stay or leave the experiment.
The couples also have a weekly dinner party — which in previous Australian series has featured wine-fuelled rows and cheating — and the experts watch the footage.
With the series premiere airing last night on E4 to much fanfare, we take a look inside this year's British installment - and why it's already being deemed the 'trashiest season' yet.
GETTING INTIMATE
The show's smooth-talking relationship expert Paul C. Brunson has said how important it is that the couples have sex.
"We want our couples to have a physical attraction [and] intimacy. We want the couples to have sex - it's very important.
"Sometimes, we come across couples who are fiery. That's great, because you should be passionate about love and your life and what your marriage stands for. But when it's inappropriate, we don't like it."
RUDE BRIDES
The first episode may have only just aired last night but viewers already slammed Nikita as she tied the knot with Ant in a very awkward ceremony.
The 27-year-old was visibly unimpressed with her partner when she met him for the first time on their big day.
After the wind wreaked havoc with her dress, Nikita accused the show's experts of not listening to her description of her ideal man.
Earlier in the episode she told the relationship gurus how she wanted a muscular 6ft hunk with green eyes and veneers.
Speaking to camera, she said: "They've just done the total f***ing opposite of what I've asked for.
"I mean obviously I was talking about looks quite a lot. Looks was a huge thing to me and I don't think they've listened to what I said."
There was an uncomfortable silence between the two families as they waited for the pair to say their vows.
Many viewers are predicting the marriage will unravel in a matter of days.
HEATED MOMENTS
Married At First Sight UK star Tayah Victoria has teased that there will be major "fireworks" to come on this year's instalment - and that Nikita will be at the centre of them.
During an appearance on today's Lorraine, guest host Christine Lampard asked Tayah if the commitment ceremonies are going to be as explosive as the Australian version of the show.
The 25-year-old said: "All I will say is you won’t be disappointed. There are fireworks left, right and centre".
Leaving Christine to ask: "Do those fireworks include Nikita?" to which Tayah giggled: "Ooh! Potentially…";
And it's not only Tayah who teased possible tensions between participants but also Aussie dating coach Mel Schilling, who relocated from Bali to Brighton for the upcoming British series.
Mel told The Sun: "All I can say is yes, to all of the above. You’ll be surprised. It’s changing a lot. The most major change is the group dynamic.
"That didn’t exist previously and is an integral part of this experiment. Different couples compare themselves and make decisions as a team. It’s fascinating.
"There’s also dinner parties, commitment ceremonies, home visits and they’re all living in one apartment building. There’s so many different elements."
Filmed during the pandemic, the newlyweds formed a Covid-19 bubble, with regular testing, temperature checks and face masks behind the scenes.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
The weddings are not legally binding and Mel insists couples are never matched to deliberately clash for good TV.
The couples also have a weekly dinner party — which in previous Australian series has featured wine-fuelled rows and cheating — and the experts watch the footage.