MAFS Australia's Melissa reveals why she had to CANCEL wedding on show
She was due to appear on a previous series
Married At First Sight Australia fans will recognise Melissa Shephard from series 10 of the show, which aired here in the UK earlier this year, but it turns out she was actually due to appear on a previous series...
That's right, the 41-year-old previously applied for the show and was successful in her application, but she's now claimed she was forced to cancel the wedding due to the groom's medical problems.
In an interview with Yahoo! Lifestyle, Melissa said: "When you start doing the auditions for being a part of the series, you go through tests and personality type tests and STD checks and health checks, which is great.
"Unfortunately, my partner’s test results had come back with a few things that weren’t right for him, which I felt so terrible for, and they had to make me aware of it."
She added: "I think it’s the hardest thing when someone comes to you saying, 'Hey, I’ve got this STD that’s not curable'. It’s not something that you can take a tablet and go away, it’s something that he has to manage for the rest of his life.
"It’s not like you meet someone out and you have a chance to get to know them and go, 'Hey, I really like you, I’ve got a disclaimer, I’ve got XYZ, I really want to be with you, blah, blah, blah'. That’s not the version of the story. The version of the story is you’re meeting a stranger to sleep next to and build a relationship with that you know nothing about, but knowing there’s this big cloud over the top of your head."
The reality star then concluded, saying: "I just felt like I knew too much information and I just needed to make a health decision if that was something that I’d be comfortable with going forward, and unfortunately, I just had to pull the pin."
Check out which MAFS series 10 couples stayed together:
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."
For her second stint on the show, Melissa was matched with 41-year-old Josh White by the experts, but as fans will know, their relationship didn't work out, ending very sour.
After Josh broke down in tears, Melissa wrote him a public apology on Instagram, writing: 'Josh, I am sorry that my words were hurtful or damaging to you and that was never my intention to hurt you in any way, shape or form,' she wrote alongside photos of the couple on their wedding day and in happier times.
'I went in this MAFS experiment hoping to find our perfect matches and as we didn’t find our forever after, wanted to let you know I hope when you're ready you will find love and find what it is that you need out of a future relationship.'
Fans can watch series 10 of Married At First Sight on All4 now.
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