MARRIED At First Sight UK fans have made an “awkward” revelation following the recent reunion show.
Viewers have realised that one pair have defied the odds and are the last couple standing – but with a twist.
Married At First Sight fans have spotted an ‘ironic’ detail about the reunion[/caption]
It relates to Shona Manderson and Matt Pilmoor[/caption]
But in a bizarre surprise, they were the only couple not matched by the MAFS experts.
Shona Manderson and Matt Pilmoor had originally appeared in the 2023 series of Married At First Sight UK, but they did not marry each other.
Yet following their break-ups with their respective partners, they found love off camera.
The couple were seen reuniting with a host of other 2023 stars last week, along with familiar faces from the 2024 series, and fans have since connected the dots.
One person wrote on Reddit: “I find it deeply ironic that the only couple at the reunion who were, well, an actual couple, were Matt and Shona who met completely by accident.”
Another added: “I’d say the MAFs experiment for finding lasting marriages has been a failure.”
Shona originally tied the knot with Brad Skelly on MAFS in 2023, but it was a disaster.
Their marriage was even branded “unhealthy” by the experts and Brad’s behaviour even sparked domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid to speak out.
Window cleaner Matt, meanwhile, arrived later in the series – once Shona and Brad had left.
He married bride Adrienne Naylor but they too didn’t last the distance.
Adrienne later discovered Matt and Shona had got together while the series was still airing on E4.
She said in a backhanded compliment: “I hope that they do make it work, but just keep my name out your mouth.”
Last week, Matt decided to take his and Shona’s relationship one stage further by presenting her with a ‘promise ring’.
At the reunion show dinner party, he told Shona that it symbolised they would get married one day.
Mafs couples that have stood the test of time
Loved-up Tayah Victoria and Adam Aveling of series six fame had the first Mafs baby.
The pair couldn’t keep their hands off each other on the programme and quickly found their feet in the outside world, moving into Adam’s Doncaster home.
Just 18 months after meeting, the couple welcomed their daughter Beau.
Season five couple Michelle Walder and Owen Jenkins also managed to make their marriage work away from the cameras and had their first child in December.
Teacher Michelle, 29, has no regrets about taking part in the experiment. She told us: “I just feel very lucky and thankful that it has worked out – and excited for everything to come.”
Michelle and Owen were both sick of dating apps when they applied in 2019.
Owen recalled: “I had been out for some drinks with a friend after work.
“While he was out for a cigarette I was scrolling on Instagram waiting for him to come back in.
“The MAFS advert was the last thing I saw, and I joked, ‘Wouldn’t it be funny if I signed up?’
“A few beers later when I was back at home I sent in the application, and the rest is history.”
Another couple to make Mafs UK history is Zoe Clifton and Jenna Robinson.
Despite a slight rocky start, where they clashed over Jenna’s vegan lifestyle, the show’s first same sex pairing are still going strong.
They even have a successful podcast together called Life With a Pod.
Jenna shed light on being involved in the show earlier this year when she told us: “We’re not legally married, and I never felt like we were. I definitely feel the process makes you take the relationship a lot more seriously and having the help of the experts… if you can survive that process it sets a firm foundation for a long-lasting relationship.”
Shona later gushed online that she was “semi-engaged” and even gave fans a glimpse of her ring.
But some critical MAFS viewers were left puzzled by the gesture.
“Anybody else find the promise ring thing just a bit… odd?” one wrote online.
“Okay so you love each other and want to commit in the future.
“Lovely. Just say that and get engaged when you’re both ready. Definitely felt like it was done for the show.”
Shona married Brad Skelly on MAFS 2023[/caption]
Matt married Adrienne Naylor[/caption]
Shona and Matt later got together off camera[/caption]
