MAFS 2025 groom went on the show with a fake name, but here’s the sweet reason he changed it

We all fell in love with Leo’s bubbly persona and unique interests on MAFS, but I’m guessing you didn’t know that Leo isn’t even his real name?! And before you say it, his legal name is not Hotdogg Sanchez.

The nickname Hotdogg Sanchez, and by extension Mr Hot Dog, was born from Leo’s unrivalled love of the meaty cylinders, with him dominating the competition at the hot-dog-eating championship. But years before he tied the knot with April on MAFS, he was born Tom Stanley.

The interesting tidbit was initially drummed up on Reddit, where one person wrote: “Anyone know if there is any truth in the rumours that Leo’s name isn’t Leo, it’s Tom?”

View this post on Instagram

Most Read

Three couples were together at MAFS UK 2025 reunion, but their statuses are very different now

Spilled! This is the famous footballer Leah has been dating after MAFS UK 2025 ended

Before and after: The jaw-dropping transformations of the Selling Sunset agents

A post shared by Leo Stanley | MAFS UK (@hotdogg_sanchez)

“Who in their right mind would go on a popular TV show with their new fake name?” another questioned.

Someone who actually knew Leo as Tom also wrote: “I worked with him in Chichester about 8-9 years ago, and he was Tom back then! I was confused when I saw him on MAFS under a different name!”

The story was then picked up by a few TikTok influencers, but Leo/Tom/Hotdogg Sanchez cleared up the confusion in the comments.

Okay, so why did MAFS’ Leo change his name?

When Leo’s fake name was posted by TikTok’s Jet Set Gypsea, with her usual brand of overexaggeration, of course, people in the comments were very dramatic about the name change.

@jet_set_gypsea

Fresh maths UKT one of the cast members is using a fake name! And that Julia Ruth speech! #mafsuk #mafs #uknews #news #gossipgirlhere

♬ original sound – JetSetGypsea

Explaining himself, he wrote back: “I legally changed it to my granddad’s name after he passed away. Hope that clears things up.”

Jet Seat Gypsea then did the backpeddle of the century, writing: “Fair enough, that’s actually really cute. (I’m not feeling guilty for my grandma who I fear may come back and haunt me after this information because I named my little cat after her, which now doesn’t seem like enough).”

Reddit comments seem to suggest that he changed it at least two years ago, but regardless, I think we all agree that Leo just feels right, right?

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

Featured image credit: Channel 4