Married at First Sight Australia's Jesse Burford clears up common show 'myth'

Jesse starred on series 10 of MAFS Australia

Author: Charlotte RoszkoPublished 26th Jul 2023

Married At First Sight Australia star Jesse Burford has addressed a common misconception that fans have about the popular dating show. The 2023 cast member answered questions from his followers on his Instagram Stories.

During the Q&A, one fan asked about the alcohol policy on the show's dinner party episodes. They wrote: 'Were you allowed to drink as much as you want at the dinner parties?'

Jesse replied: 'No. If you got drunk, you got dragged.'

He added: 'MAFS myth: they do not ram you with alcohol.'

The cast members can often be seen drinking wine during the dinner party episodes - both as they arrive and when they are sat at the table. Due to the frequent heated conversations during these episodes, many fans had speculated over whether the arguments could be influenced by the availability of free-flowing drinks.

However, Jesse's fellow MAFS groom Ollie Skelton has admitted to being drunk on the show in a TikTok video which showed footage from a dinner party.

He said: "A lot of people say, 'Hey, Tahnee and Ollie, you weren't in the show.' We actually were. I just didn't get any screen time because I was drunk the whole time.

"Look at it here. Adam Seed and Harrison Boon talking s---, I'm blind. Can barely get a sentence out. Help me."

In series 10 of MAFS Australia, Jesse was paired with Claire Nomarhas. The couple ran into difficulties after Claire admitted to kissing fellow groom Adam Seed behind Jesse's back.

Jesse forgave Claire, but later went on to end their relationship in the following commitment ceremony due to trust issues. Claire is now in a relationship with Pat Calleja, who starred on the Australian cooking show My Kitchen Rules. Jesse is currently single.

Take a look at which MAFS Australia couples are still together and who has split up:

Evelyn Ellis and Duncan James: DATING

Although these two weren't paired together, Eveyln and Duncan started hanging out after filming ended, with the pair confirming in May 2023 that they are now in a relationship!


As well as confirming the cute news on social media, the pair took part in an interview with Australia's 9Entertainment, where Duncan told the publication: "We started hanging out a little bit after the show. Everyone's sort of friends in the cast, and obviously me and you living in Sydney we probably hung out a little bit more.


"All of a sudden we went out on a couple of nights, and some of the warm fuzzy feelings happened in my stomach and I thought, 'What's this? How we going here?'


"Then... one thing led to another."

Tahnee Cook and Ollie Skelton: SPLIT

The show's youngest couple this year was 27-year-old PR manager Tahnee and 26-year-old voice-over artist Ollie, who had both given up with dating apps.


These two immediately hit it off, making it all the way to the final vows with basically no bumps in the road. After admitting during their final vows they were 'falling in love' with each other, these two lasted 16 months!


However, in December 2023, the pair took to Instagram to announce they'd split.

Melinda Willis and Layton Mills: SPLIT

31-year-old CEO's Melinda and Layton were paired together, with the experts hoping they could be a 'super couple', and it looks like they were nearly spot on!


After Melinda quickly got over her initial doubts about Layton, these two seemed to click into place, making it all the way to final vows and telling each other they love one another. The couple celebrated their one-year anniversary in September 2023.


However, much to the shock of fans in October 2023, the pair released a joint statement to confirm they'd split, with the pair saying: 'We still care very deeply for each other and this doesn't mean our lives can't come back together, but as of now, we think this decision is for the best.'

Claire Nomarhas and Jesse Burford: SPLIT

John, Mel and Alessandra chose to pair 31-year-old kindergarten assistant Claire with 30-year-old marriage celebrant Jesse Burford.


Although Claire 'cheated' on Jesse with Adam and owned up about it to her husband, these two actually became quite strong in the experiment. HOWEVER, thanks to co-star Harrison, Jesse started to get doubts over Claire's true feelings, with both of them later deciding to leave.


Despite the pair looking cosy at the reunion party, and Claire admitting she was heading over to Perth to see Jesse, it looks like things didn't work out romantically in the end.

Lyndall Grace and Cameron Woods: SPLIT

The experts paired together 27-year-old accountant Lyndall and 27-year-old carpenter Cameron.


Despite the first few weeks of the experiment going really well for the pair, with Lyndall quickly telling Cam about her Cystic fibrosis diagnosis, things didn't end great for these two!


Although they made it all the way to the final vows, they both chose to split during the ceremony, with Cam actually storming off following Lyndall's speech.

Bronte Schofield and Harrison Boon: SPLIT

32-year-old builder Harrison was paired with 28-year-old online beauty educator Bronte by the experts.


Despite Bronte's friend dropping the bombshell that Harrison had been dating a 20-year-old before the experiment, and him getting another girl's number during the show, these two somehow made it all the way to the final decision. However, after a turbulent time in the process, Bronte finally walked out of the experiment before the final vows.

Alyssa Barmonde and Duncan James: SPLIT

35-year-old Executive Assistant Alyssa was paired with 36-year-old Cybersecurity Sales Regional Director Duncan.


Despite getting off to a good start and becoming early viewer favourites, things took a sour turn for these two during the retreat, with arguments following until the final vow ceremony. Although Alyssa wanted to continue their relationship during the final decision, Duncan ended things, admitting he didn't want Alyssa to get hurt.

Sandy Jawanda and Dan Hunjas: SPLIT

36-year-old dental hygienist Sandy was paired with 42-year-old digital marketing business owner Dan by the experts.


Despite Sandy's parents not giving their approval and not attending the wedding, the pair seemed to get on immediately, with Dan's family and friends loving Sandy's vows.


HOWEVER, things quickly went south for the pair, with both deciding to leave the experiment half way through. Shockingly, Dan then revealed he was dating influencer Samantha Symes, who was a guest at his wedding to Sandy! That didn't last long either though!

Janelle Han and Adam Seed: SPLIT

The experts matched 28-year-old beauty influencer Janelle with 25-year-old business owner Adam.


When Adam was forced to own up about his kiss with Claire, Janelle unsurprisingly could no longer trust him, choosing to leave the experiment, which resulted in Adam storming out.

Melissa Sheppard and Josh White: SPLIT

41-year-old hairdresser Melissa was matched with 40-year-old advertising client director Josh by the experts, making them the oldest couple in the series.


It turned out that Melissa and Josh were just too different for each other, with Josh admitting he felt like Mel's 'sex object'. After breaking down in tears during the second commitment ceremony, the experts changed the rules to allow Josh to leave the experiment, despite Melissa wanting to stay.


It has since been revealed that Josh is now getting to know co-star Lyndall, following the break down in her marriage to Cam!

Caitlin McConville and Shannon Adams: SPLIT

The experts also matched together 27-year-old Makeup Artist Caitlin and 30-year-old Personal Trainer Shannon.


It didn't take long for Shannon to realise he wasn't over his ex, saying some harsh words to Caitlin in the process. Unsurprisingly, Caitlin chose to leave the experiment, telling the experts she deserved to be "treated like a human being."

Tayla Winter and Hugo Armstrong: SPLIT

27-year-old Tayla Winter and 32-year-old Hugo Armstrong were late arrivals into the experiment, joining in week three after being matched by the experts.


With problems in their marriage, it was revealed Tayla had left the experiment to return home, before a huge twist saw her return during a dinner party. However, by this stage, Hugo had made up his mind and chose to leave the experiment, wishing Tayla well.

Evelyn Ellis and Rupert Budgen: SPLIT

The final couple to enter the experiment was 26-year-old Model Evelyn Ellis and 27-year-old Electrician Rupert Budgen.


Despite Rupert's nerves getting in the way at first, the couple quickly ended up becoming intimate, making it all the way to the final vows. However, the pair both chose to end their relationship, with Rupert saying: "A platonic connection alone is not enough to sustainable a loving and healthy relationship."

Now read:

MAFS Australia series 10: Which couples stayed together after the show?

MAFS Australia star exposes FAKE relationship he set up 😱

MAFS Australia's Claire Nomarhas in new relationship with reality TV star

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