“Married At First Sight UK fans have branded the show an ‘absolute farce’ after the experts ignored a contestant’s crucial preference.”, — write: www.dailymail.co.uk
The latest installment of the E4 show saw Alex Henry walk down the aisle with Holly Ditchfield, but while the ceremony appeared to be idyllic, viewers were quick to predict trouble in their future amid a major deal breaker.
Alex, 28, had earlier told how he preferred to marry someone without children as he didn’t have ‘fatherly instincts’, but despite this, was matched with mother-of-two Holly, 29 – who had her first child when she was 16.
While preferences regarding children may be a huge factor when making love matches, the show’s experts Paul C. Brunson, Mel Schilling and Charlene Douglas, chose to focus on other compatibilities, with Mel remarking: ‘Physically, they are exactly what the other is looking for’.
Watching the scenes unfold, viewers were quick to slam the show for overlooking Alex’s preferences, branding the experts ‘messy’ and ‘useless’, while asking: ‘How can you miss that?’
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, they penned: ‘Hold on, the ‘experts’ matched someone with kids to someone who literally had a preference for no children…
‘I can kinda see what the experts were doing with Holly and Alex but the kids is a big thing, how can you miss that bit? ‘
‘It’s ok to not want a relationship with someone who has kids. It’s NOT ok for so called experts to set up a person with kids with a person who doesn’t want to be with someone with kids. Absolute farce.’
‘#MAFSUK you gotta question these so called experts. you’re matching a single mother and you don’t ask the question to her potential match ..do you want kids… surely it’s the MOST important question!!’
‘Now you know the experts are messy for pairing someone who clearly isn’t ready to be a step parent, with someone with kids.’
‘Once again, these experts are way off the mark with Alex and Holly, THE GEEZER DOESN’T WANT SOMEONE WHO HAS CHILDREN!!! Why do they do it? Surely there’s got to be performance related reviews because these guys are useless.’
Before walking down the aisle, beautician Holly admitted to being nervous to tell her new groom that she was a single mother.
She soon confessed all to Alex while taking their pictures and though initially taken aback, Alex vowed to be supportive as he told her: ‘Ok…. I got you though, don’t worry.’
However, Birmingham native Alex later made his feelings clear when talking to Holly’s best friend Jack during the reception, telling Jack that his ‘preference’ was for someone without children.
Jack asked him: ‘One of [her children] is a teenager, how does that make you feel getting involved in that kind of stuff.’
To which Alex bluntly replied: ‘I’ll keep it real with you, bro. When I first came into this, because I don’t have kids of my own, I don’t have them fatherly instincts, because I haven’t had to have them fatherly instincts. So it was a preference if they didn’t have kids.’
However, he was quick to add: ‘But you know what it is for me, when I fall head over heels for someone, I overlook all of that s*** for that person.’
Concerned for his friend, Jack wasted no time in telling Holly what Alex has said, causing the bride to break down in tears.
She sobbed: ‘My kids are my life. So if he is not someone who is going to want children or be around children, that is going to be a big problem for me.’
Despite the hiccup, the couple later kissed and made up. However, MAFS UK viewers were still left doubtful over the future of their relationship.
Earlier this month, it was revealed Alex had been jailed for abandoning his post to go on the Channel 4 dating show.
The RAF airman abandoned his post at an electronic warfare base for love – or fame – and he appeared on TV despite being denied permission by his commanding officer.
He was stationed at RAF Spadeadam in Cumbria and asked for extra leave so he could take part, but this was refused.
The 28-year-old from Birmingham was seized by military police upon his return and served 24 days of his 34 day sentence.
His spokesman told The Sun: ‘He returned after filming of his own volition and handed himself into the military authorities.
‘He was sentenced to 34 days in a military prison and served 24 as a model inmate.’
Age: 31
From: Bristol
Occupation: Sales Manager
Why: ‘I think the experts are going to do me a solid and find me a nice match’
Name: Adam
Age: 33
From: Nottingham
Occupation: Barber
Why: ‘I would love the happily ever after.’
Name: Sacha
Age: 29
From: Birmingham
Occupation: Aesthetics Practitioner
Why: ‘A red flag to me is someone not liking cats. I was always told to never trust a man that doesn’t like cats.’
Name: Alex
Age: 28
From: Birmingham
Occupation: Aviation Operations
Why: ‘Maybe the experts can help me work out where I’ve been going wrong.’
Name: Kristina
Age: 31
From: East Sussex
Occupation: Dog Walker
Why: ‘I wanted to sign up because I felt like I was ready to meet the love of my life.’
Name: Caspar
Age: 34
From: New Forest
Occupation: Head Gardener
Why: ‘I want the wife. I want the 2.4 kids, white picket fence. I hope this process does this for me.’
Name: Eve
Age: 31
From: Omagh
Occupation: Lifeguard and Fitness instructor
Why: ‘I want to find somebody that I fall in love with and I want somebody to fall in love with me.’
Name: Kieran
Age: 28
From: Newcastle
Occupation: Mechanic
Why: ‘I’ve been unlucky in love. I’ve been heartbroken and messed around and I really need the experts’ advice.’
Name: Holly
Age: 29
From: Huddersfield
Occupation: Beautician
Why: ‘I want to gain love, work on myself as well, and learn how to trust again.’
Name: Nathan
Age: 24
From: Somerset
Occupation: Engineer
Why: ‘It will be cool to meet someone. Hopefully we’re on the same vibe.’
Name: Charlie
Age: 30
From: Surrey
Occupation: Lettings Operations Co-ordinator
Why: ‘I’m at the age now where I want to settle down’
Name: Orson
Age: 41
From: St Kitts and Nevis
Occupation: Project Engineer
Why: ‘I want to get married as I feel that is the only thing missing from my life.’
Name: Richelle
Age: 48
From: London
Occupation: Head of Alternative Investments
Why: ‘It’d be nice to, when I look back at my life when I’m older, say I’ve had a once in a lifetime experience.’
Name: Ross
Age: 32
From: Manchester
Occupation: Painter and Decorator
Why: ‘I’ve been engaged before and this is my third time lucky. I’m looking forward to meeting my wife. I’m ready for this.’
Name: Polly
Age: 28
From: Kent
Occupation: Careers Advisor
Why: ‘I’m excited to go into the unknown, to have things that aren’t in my control and to just go into it open minded.’
Name: Lacey
Age: 27
From: Hertfordshire
Occupation: Office Manager
Why: ‘I’d love to get a husband. I’m thinking long term so husband, babies, travel then move in together.’