Not speaking to going strong: Here’s how the gay MAFS couples are doing now

Unlike other reality TV shows – I’m looking at you Love Island – Married at First Sight has a range of gay couples who are just as bad at love as their straight counterparts.

Reality TV dating shows have never been a haven for gay and other LGBTQ+ folks. From The Bachelor to Love Island, gay people are either completely overlooked or featured in a blink and you’ll miss it moment. Fortunately, the Married at First Sight franchise has been a little different.

It’s about time we checked in on the gay couples of MAFS.

1. Jenna Robinson and Zoe Clifton

Jenna Robinson and Zoe Clifton participated in the seventh season of MAFS UK and are among the last remaining couples still together. Though they have weathered their fair share of problems, including Jenna’s vegan lifestyle, they seem very much content in 2024 as they share cute pictures on their Instagram account.

“There’s arguments happening constantly and everyone’s got their opinion when it goes on TV,” Zoe told BBC Radio Stoke last month. “If you can get through that, you can pretty much get through anything.”

In a reality TV tale as old as time, they now have a podcast.

2. Mark Kiley and Sean Malkin

In the 2023 instalment of the show, customer service manager Mark Kiley and store manager Sean Malkin got off to a rocky start as the former admitted to not being attracted to his new hubby.

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“I thought I’d be living the high life, going to events, doing lots of Instagram stuff and that life would be better after being on the show. It feels like I was mis-sold a dream,” Mark told The Sun. “If I had known I’d only be there for such a short amount of time I wouldn’t have bothered. My match wasn’t ready for a relationship and I’ve had to go back to my old workplace.”

As you can probably tell, Mark and Sean did not pass the test of time and they’ve even unfollowed one another on Instagram.

3. Craig Roach and Andy John

In 2016, Married at First Sight Australia got its first gay couple in the form of Craig Roach and TV husband Andy John. They proved that gay people can do the same things as straight couples, breaking up and issuing damning statement after damning statement about their time on the show.

“They matched me with a chain-smoking, binge drinking all-round party boy from hell who hadn’t been to the gym or raised his heart rate naturally in 10 years,” Craig said in a ranting Facebook post a year after the show, adding that he nearly got sacked from his job.

However, they did seemingly manage to put their differences aside in 2017, attending a party at Sydney Harbour together. Still, there’s no chance for a rekindling.

4. Amanda Micallef and Tash Herz

Amanda Micallef and Tash Herz were featured in season seven of MAFS Australia, with the couple breaking up before the final decision was made. They too have not spoken kindly about the experience.

“I want people to know what it was like for me, if they are curious or can’t understand through the editing and vilifying, what it was like to be constantly asked why you don’t want to be around someone that feels they are owed physical affection, love and fame no matter how many times you have explained, kindly, that you do not feel comfortable giving them that,” Tash said on Instagram.

5. Matt Jameson and Daniel McKee

Matt Jameson and Daniel McKee became the first-ever gay couple on MAFS UK back in 2021. Their time on the show was somewhat drama-free, at least when compared to other LGBTQ+ couples, but they too separated after just two years together.

Dan said on Instagram: “Hey guys! As you all know, we have been on an incredible adventure together the last two years and we have given ourselves every opportunity to make things work as a couple, but over the last few months we have realised that we are actually better as friends.”

Thankfully, there’s no bad blood between the two grooms and Matt even confessed that he believed the breakup was a mistake. Still holding out hope for them in the future!

6. Charlie Curtis and Eve Reid

Charlie Curtis and Eve Reid featured on the most recent season of MAFS UK, and though they seemed to have the chemistry down, they struggled with communication and commitment issues. Ultimately, they became the first couple of the season to leave the experiment.

Despite their story being wrapped up fairly early in the show, Charlie shared her annoyance at being kicked from the upcoming reunion special on Valentine’s Day.

“I mean apparently my story was over by the end of the series,” Charlie told The Sun. “I am a bit annoyed about it I’m not going to lie, but I guess everything happens for a reason, so maybe there was a reason I wasn’t supposed to be there. It’s time to close the door on that chapter.”

7. Michael Felix and Stephen Stewart

Australian couple Michael Felix and Stephen Stewart seemed doomed from the start with a genuine lack of connection and the communication abilities of a lamppost. Part of this stemmed from Stephen being the replacement for Michael’s original show husband Simon Flocco.

“We didn’t have anything to bond over… Every interaction, it just didn’t flow and it was hard work,” Stephen told the MailOnline.  “Once I found out that I wasn’t Michael’s original match I was put in to fill the void, that’s when I started to withdraw.”

8. Thomas Hartley and Adrian Sanderson

Thomas Hartley and Adrian Sanderson were one of, if not the, messiest couple of MAFS UK in 2022. They tried to make it work but ultimately left the experiment after failing to make a connection.

That drama even continued off of the show, with Adrian finally reaching breaking point when Thomas was pictured out for lunch with fellow MAFS contestant Valentino.

He ranted on Instagram: “No matter what life has dealt you, no one can get away with the behaviour that Thomas displays. Even when he puts political stances in place in order to protect himself, through false accusations and a skill to turn a positive into a negative, he has little regard for how he is a threat to people’s mental health and well-being.”

For all the latest MAFS UK 2024 cast member news, scandals, gossip and updates – like The Holy Church of MAFS on Facebook. 

Featured image credit: Channel 4