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MAFS Australia shock as bride and groom previously dated

He ghosted her! 😲

Author: Alex RossPublished 4th Mar 2025

The 12th series of Married At First Sight Australia finally landed here in the UK this week, with the opening episode hitting our screens on Monday 3rd March! After the buck and hens night, this year's marriages kicked off, and in true MAFS fashion the drama was present from the very start.

As experts Mel Schilling, John Aiken and Alessandra Rampolla paired this year's singletons, episode one featured the weddings between Lauren and Eliot and Carina and Paul.

Although Eliot admitted he would walk out of the ceremony if he didn't find his bride 'attractive', the wedding went ahead, despite Lauren's sister's best efforts to ruin the day! But it was the wedding between Carina and Paul which really left viewers in shock...

31-year-old Carina and 30-year-old Paul seemed like a match made in heaven on paper, and after greeting her husband-to-be and telling him he looked 'handsome', the pair went ahead with the ceremony, with huge approvals from Carina's big family.

Despite putting on a show during the ceremony, when the couple walked out of the ceremony, Carina asked the producers to pair her with another man, before going on to reveal she previously went on a date with Paul.

Speaking to a producer backstage, Carina explained the pair were messaging and Face Timing eight months ago, enjoying a hiking date together. However, despite plans for a second date, Carina explained the Frenchman ended up 'ghosting' her, with the pair not speaking since.

Taking full responsibly and admitting he was going through a rough patch at the time, Paul asked to chat with his new bride, where he apologised for his actions and pleaded with her to give him another chance.

Despite Carina's initial reservations, she did agree to go ahead in the experiment with Paul, with the pair going on to enjoy the wedding ceremony with their closest family and friends.

Following the episode, viewers were quick to take to social media to express their thoughts. And despite the history between Carina and Paul, it seemed fans are rooting for the pair to work out.

One wrote: 'Fair play to Paul to speaking to Carina and explaining himself about why he ghosted her, he could have lied and pretended he didn't know her #MAFSAU #mafs'. (sic)

Another added: 'Carina and Paul seem like such a good match, hope they work out'. (sic)

A third wrote: 'Paul and Carina have my heart. LOCK ITTT INNNN #MAFSAU #MAFSAustralia #MAFS', with another adding: 'Omg I love this couple, paul and carina 😍😍 #MAFS'. (sic)

Check out which MAFS couples went on to get married for real:

Cameron Merchant and Jules Robinson

Series: MAFS Australia series 6 (2019)

Cam and Jules were matched together on the sixth series of MAFS Australia in 2019, making it to the end of the experiment without any major hiccups.

Cameron Merchant and Jules Robinson: MARRIED

Cam actually made MAFS history when he proposed to Jules during the final commitment ceremony, with Jules telling fans on Instagram: 'The moment you fall more in love than you thought you could fall and every little part of you says YES! I have nothing but love for this man'.

The couple went on to get married for real during a ceremony in Sydney on 19th November 2019, before going on to welcome their first child together, a son called Ollie in October 2020. In 2024, Jules and Cam delighted fans once again, announcing they were expecting their second child together. Jules then gave birth to baby Carter in July 2024.

Adam Aveling and Tayah Victoria

Series: MAFS UK series 6 (2021)

Adam and Tayah were paired up by the experts during series six of the UK version of MAFS, which aired back in 2021. They were on the show alongside the likes of Luke and Morag, Amy and Josh, and Dan and Matt.

Adam Aveling and Tayah Victoria: MARRIED

Following in the footsteps of Cam Merchant on the Australian version, Adam popped the question to Tayah during the final vow renewal. One year on, the happy couple then welcomed their first child in October 2022, a beautiful baby girl named Beau Emily Aveling. They then went on to get married for real during a ceremony 28th December 2023.

In November 2024, Adam and Tayah revealed the lovely news that they are expecting their second child together!

Johnny Balbuziente and Kerry Knight

Series: MAFS Australia series 8 (2021)

Kerry and Johnny appeared as late comers on the eighth series of MAFS Australia in 2022.

Johnny Balbuziente and Kerry Knight: MARRIED

Just months before they celebrated their two-year anniversary, Johnny proposed to Kerry in July 2022. The happy couple went on to get married legally on 5th January 2023, with Kerry sharing photos from the couple's big day to social media. She wrote: ''💍 MR & MRS BALBUZIENTE 💍 05.01.23'.

One year later in January 2024, Kerry and Johnny announced the lovely news that they were expecting their first child together, with Kerry giving birth to a baby girl called Chloe Rossi Balbuziente on 14th June 2024.

Melissa Rawson and Bryce Ruthven: MARRIED

Series: MAFS Australia series 8 (2020)

Melissa and Bryce were matched by the experts during the eighth series of the show in 2020.

Melissa Rawson and Bryce Ruthven

Despite not many viewers of the show having high hopes for the pair outside of the experiment, Melissa and Bryce welcomed twin boys in October 2021, before going on to reveal they were engaged. The pair then got married on 24th February in 2023 and have been a happy family ever since.

Zoe Clifton and Jenna Robinson

Series: MAFS UK series 7 (2022)

Zoe and Jenna made Married At First Sight UK history in 2022 when they became the first ever lesbian couple to appear on the popular dating show. The pair were matched by experts on series seven and starred alongside the likes of Chanita and Jordan, Matt and Whitney, and April and George.

Zoe Clifton and Jenna Robinson: ENGAGED

Despite many MAFS fans thinking Zoe and Jenna wouldn't last due to their lifestyle differences, the couple have proven everybody wrong, going on to get engaged in June 2024!

The happy couple announced the news on social media, with Jenna telling her followers: 'We've been keeping a little secret.. A week ago the absolute love of my life asked me to marry her 🥹 from me being a little slow on the uptake, thinking Zoe had just gone a little overboard for date night to Bobo setting himself on fire 😬 it was perfect and chaotic and just very "us"

'Not to be cliché but I genuinely didn't think that this type of love actually existed, to have someone who loves you, cares and respects you as much as you do them, is the most incredible feeling.. and now I get to marry my best friend instead of a stranger! 💍

'I guess we have a particular TV show to thank for setting us up on the wildest 1st date ever.. so thank you @e4mafsuk @e4grams'. (sic)

Martha Kalifatidis and Michael Brunelli

Series: MAFS Australia series 6 (2019)

Martha and Michael were fan favourites when they were paired by experts during the sixth series of MAFS Australia in 2019.

Martha Kalifatidis and Michael Brunelli: ENGAGED

Two years after appearing on the show, Michael proposed to Martha, but the pair's wedding plans were put on hold when Martha fell pregnant with the couple's first child. The happy couple welcomed their son Lucius into the world on 27 February 2023. Both Martha and Michael keep fans up to date with their relationship, as well as posting the most adorable photo of Lucius.

MAFS Australia airs every night at 9pm on E4.