As the end edges closer, this is what a relationship expert thinks of the MAFS UK 2023 couples

It’s just a few weeks until MAFS UK 2023 comes to an end, so now is a great time to see what a relationship expert thinks of how the couples are getting on, and if they stand a chance making it work after the experiment.

Speaking exclusively to The Tab, Heart Bingo’s relationship expert and co-founder of dating app So Syncd, Louella Alderson, has shared her expertise on the couples. She’s shared who might not be as compatible as we think, which couples are sabotaging each other and who might actually stay together after the show.

So, here’s what the relationship expert had to say about the couples from MAFS UK 2023.

‘It’s possible Arthur and Laura aren’t as compatible as we thought’

Speaking to The Tab, Louella reflected on how “everything we’ve seen from Arthur and Laura has been relatively positive”, but said “it’s possible they weren’t as compatible as we initially thought.”

Louella said: “What this couple seems to be lacking is emotional intimacy. While they have been comfortable expressing their happiness and growth as a couple, it’s possible that they didn’t fully share their deeper feelings with each other. This lack of emotional depth may have meant that their connection wasn’t strong enough to keep them together in the long run.”

Louella added this “highlights the importance of not just communicating about surface-level things, but also being vulnerable and open with your partner about your emotions and needs, in order to truly connect on a deeper level.”

Louella speculated what might have caused the couple to ultimately break up, which it looks like may have happened since Arthur was spotted kissing another woman last weekend.

She said: “With surface-level communication, it’s possible for a relationship to appear strong in the weekly meetings with the professionals but ultimately lack the substance needed to commit to the marriage at the end of the experiment. This may have been the case for Arthur and Laura, leading to their ultimate break-up. Ultimately, communication and emotional intimacy are key components of a successful relationship.”

Georges and Peggy are ‘on the brink of falling apart’

We’ve seen Georges and Peggy struggle a bit in the last few episodes, with Peggy still unable to come to terms with Georges’ online content.

Louella told The Tab: “Sexual intimacy is clearly an issue for this couple. Georges enjoys experimenting in the bedroom, while Peggy prefers things to be more traditional and romantic. This mismatch in desires has caused tension and disconnect between them, with Georges feeling like he cannot be himself. To make their relationship work in the end, they will need to have open and honest communication about their needs and boundaries when it comes to sexual intimacy.”

She said it’s also important for Georges and Peggy to “find a middle ground” which is “an essential for any healthy, successful relationship.”

Louella added: “With Georges being the one to keep compromising and trying to please Peggy, it’s important for her to also make an effort to meet his needs. This will require her to step out of her comfort zone and try new things with an open mind. This might not only strengthen their physical connection but also deepen their emotional intimacy.

“The other issues Peggy has with Georges are all part of his core personality, and it’s something she will have to accept if she wants their relationship to work. His passions, hobbies, career aspirations, and attitude are all integral parts of who he is as a person, and it’s unrealistic to expect him to change entirely to be someone she wants. Georges also feels like he isn’t able to be his true self around Peggy, and this may require them both to work on their communication and understanding of each other.

“If Peggy isn’t willing to make an effort and meet Georges halfway, or if she really doesn’t enjoy these aspects of intimacy, it may be a sign that the relationship is not meant to be. It also feels like this relationship is on the brink of falling apart, and it will take a lot of effort and compromise from both sides to save it. Liking someone’s core personality is crucial for a healthy long-term relationship, and it feels like Peggy and Georges are a long way from understanding and appreciating each other fully.”

‘Tasha and Paul were one of the strongest couples in the experiment, their dynamic may have been shaken by Erica and Jordan’

At the start of the experiment, Tasha and Paul were one of the strongest couples, but now, there seems to be more of a focus on Tasha’s feud with Erica. Louella told The Tab she thinks “Tasha feels threatened by Erica’s strong personality and the close bond she has with her husband.”

“As Tasha and Paul were one of the strongest couples in the experiment, their dynamic may have been shaken by Erica and Jordan’s united entrance,” Louella said. “This could be fuelling her bitterness and aggression towards Erica.”

She added: “Tasha’s face when Erica and Jordan were talking about their strong connection was unpleasant and passive-aggressive. This further suggests that Tasha may be struggling with personal insecurities that she is projecting onto Erica. People who are secure with themselves don’t typically feel the need to be aggressive or bitter towards others who are confident in themselves and their relationships.”

Louella said: “Tasha’s continued disapproval of Erica brings her own relationship with Paul into question”. She said because she feels threatened, Tasha “may have been subconsciously trying to sabotage Erica’s relationship with Jordan to avoid her and Paul being overshadowed.”

“Ultimately, Tasha’s issues with Erica seem to stem from deep-rooted insecurities and a fear of being overshadowed by her,” Louella said. “This is something Tasha will need to work on in order to maintain healthy relationships with other people.”

In the MAFS experiment, we saw some couples struggle with that instant physical attraction

In terms of the other MAFS UK 2023 couples, relationship expert Louella said the main problems they have faced have been to do with physical attraction. In the MAFS experiment, we saw some couples struggle with that instant physical attraction, like Mark and Sean and Thomas and Rozz.

Louella told The Tab: “In the case of Sean and Mark, Mark was instantly unsure about Sean based on first impressions, and he contemplated saying no to him at the altar. Luckily Mark gave Sean a chance, and as they got to know each other on the honeymoon, they developed a strong emotional bond and their physical attraction grew as well.”

Similarly to them, Rozz and Thomas also didn’t have an instant physical connection, but we have seen them focus on building their emotional intimacy. Louella said: “They embraced every new challenge, like intimacy week and family week, which allowed them to get to know each other on a deeper level and see different aspects of each other’s personalities.

“As a result, they’ve slowly grown more physically attracted to each other and have a solid foundation for their relationship. Rozz is more sexually adventurous than Thomas, but it feels like they are starting to communicate more about this topic, and Thomas is open-minded to learning and trying new things.”

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

Related stories recommended by this writer:

• Revealed: The number of couples from MAFS UK 2023 who are still together has been leaked

• Channel 4 forces Luke to take down ‘aggressive’ Instagram post in which he threatened Jordan

• ‘He picked on everyone’: Georges settles where MAFS cast beef with Jordan and Erica came from