He’s the dating guru who’s one-third responsible for putting the couples together in Married at First Sight, so obviously Paul C Brunson has more than a vested interest in seeing them go the distance. But how does he feel when it all turns sour?
Appearing on heat’s YouTube series #RUWatching? this week, Paul tells us, “It’s hard to watch! Like a car slowly crashing. You’re like, ‘Nooo, turn left, not right!’”
Paul, alongside fellow dating experts Mel Schilling and Charlene Douglas, is there every step of the way, probing the couples, setting them tasks and ultimately trying to find them everlasting love. And even though it’s all for the telly, he tells us that – by now – we’re truly seeing the couples’ authentic selves.
“This is the real person we’re seeing,” he says. “You can’t hold back.”
CHECK OUT which Married At First Sight Australia couples are still together?
Which Married At First Sight Australia couples are still together? - slider
1 of 12Sam Ball and Elizabeth Sobinoff
Sam and Elizabeth might not have lasted, as Sam seemed far more interested in Ines. But Lizzie was the true winner - she was so popular with viewers she appeared on the next series of the show, finding love with Seb Guilhaus. But, sadly, they split earlier this month after a year together.
2 of 12Cyrell Jimenez and Nic Jovanovic
'Cyclone Cyrell' and Nic's tumultuous relationship was, sadly, not to last. But prepare for another reality TV crossover, as Cyrell now has a baby with Love Island runner-up Eden Dally.
3 of 12Lauren Huntriss and Matthew Bennett
One of the biggest storylines this season was about Matthew and his virginity, as he was repeatedly labelled as 'virgin'/'ex-virgin' Matt by the narrator. Anyway, Matthew was matched with Lauren - who, yes, he lost his virginity to - but it all went horribly wrong when Lauren heard Matthew telling the other guys at dinner that he wasn't sexually attracted to Lauren. AWKWARD. Lauren is still a make-up artist, we don't know if she's dating anyone. But on the other hand, self-confessed fitness enthusiast Matthew is loved up with a new girlfriend - who he met at a wrestling tryout.
4 of 12Mike Gunner and Heidi Latcham
Mike and Heidi's relationship was one which could have gone either way, but after the show, the pair split - announcing the sad news at the post-finale reunion special. 'Right after the final vows, Heidi and I went back to the Gold Coast together but it didn't take long and the wheels started coming off,' Mike explained. Heidi has said she hasn't spoken to her former husband since. From the looks of their Instagram pages, they still look single.
5 of 12Cam Merchant and Jules Robinson
Oh, Cameron and Jules. From the minute Jules and Cam had their first wedding dance without any music, we had an inkling they were in it for the long haul. And we were right! The pair now have a baby together, who was born in October last year, and tied the knot properly after the show. So, yes - sometimes this wild experiment does work.
6 of 12Melissa Lucarelli and Dino Hira
Probably the worst matched couple on the series, it isn't shock the pair called it quits on the show after Dino allegedly recorded a conversation Melissa was having with her sister about the wedding day. It appears both are still single.
7 of 12Martha Kalifatidis and Michael Brunelli
Martha and Michael were an extremely drama free pair (in comparison to everyone else) so it's no shock that they have actually managed to stay together. Yay!
8 of 12Ning Surasiang and Mark Scrivens
Eek. Another very up and down pair, Ning and Mark's relationship dissolved during the final commitment ceremony - with Mark dumping Ning, much to her shock. Following the show, Mark moved on with another former reality star, Bianca Chatfield – who appeared on home renovation show The Block. And Ning also has a new partner.
9 of 12Susie Bradley and Billy Vincent
Susie and Billy were one of the couples who married later in the experiment. From the get go, Susie kept on calling Billy awkward - even calling him a deeb at one point on their honeymoon. They split before the final commitment ceremony. Susie is now dating former rugby pro Todd Carney and they have a baby on the way. However, Billy appears to be single.
10 of 12Ines Basic and Bronson Norrish
We knew this relationship wasn't going to last from the moment Ines asked Bronson to take out his eyebrow ring. Ines went on to have an affair with Sam, which Sam has since claimed was faked by producers, and it all came out during an explosive commitment ceremony. Bronson is now a lot happier with girlfriend Hayley Wallis. And from her Instagram, Ines looks to be single at the moment.
11 of 12Jessika Power and Mick Gould
Major cracks started to show in Mick and Jessika's relationship, then Jessika went after one of the newly weds, Dan. Not a shock that Jessica and Mick didn't survive then…(Neither did her affair with Dan, btw.)
12 of 12Dan Webb and Tamara Joy
After these two fell apart thanks to Jessika and Dan's affair, Tamara was linked to Jessika's ex, Mick. The drama never stops.
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Also stopping by for a chat on this week’s show is Mel, who reveals she’s got a favourite among the pack.
“If I wasn’t already married, look out, Bob!” she laughs, paying tribute to the public’s fave Robert Voysey (aka Big Bob), who’s had a rough ride in the experiment so far – not least since his new wife Megan Wolfe kissed another man at the couples’ first dinner party.
“I’ve heard that his inbox is overflowing with marriage proposals,” says Mel. “He’s going to be the prince of Britain, I can just see it coming.”
Catch #RUWatching? on Youtube.com/heatworld