MAFS Australia experts call out Jack for shocking 'muzzle' comment
Viewers were appalled
We are now five weeks into the 2024 series of Married At First Sight Australia here in the UK, and the drama is finally starting to heat up with couples such as Timothy and Lucinda, Jack and Tori, and Lauren and Jono.
As this year's couples continue in the experiment, the third dinner party delivered some serious open-mouthed moments, when Lauren Dunn relayed a comment Jack Dunkley made to her husband Jono McCullough to the group.
According to Lauren, Jack had told Jono during a chat that his wife Tori Adams wasn't his type, as well as shockingly offering his wife up to the other grooms during swap week.
Not happy with the comments from Lauren, Jack hit back, subsequently going on to tell Jono to "muzzle his woman", leaving both the group and viewers at home disgusted at his words and actions.
Tuesday (25th March) night's show then saw the couples attend the third commitment ceremony, where experts John Aiken, Mel Schilling, and Alessandra Rampolla all condemned Jack's behaviour, as well as questioning Jono and the other grooms for not supporting Lauren after the comment.
Mel told Jack: "I've never heard a man talk about a woman like that."
John also said to Jono: "If someone said that to me about my wife, I would not back down. I would come out all guns blazing. She's number one."
During the ceremony, Jack did apologise for the comment, admitting his family would be 'appalled', and during a chat with 9Entertainment after the episode aired in Australia, Jack said: "I did walk back into the Dinner Party and apologised to Lauren. I said to her, 'I'm happy to go to battle with you, you're a big player here so happy to do battle and I apologise for that comment.' Lauren accepted my apology and we hugged it out."
After the episode aired, charity Women's Aid also called out Jack and the show, with The Tab claiming a spokesperson for the charity told them: "Viewers of reality television, like the MAFS franchise, are increasingly aware of signs of coercive and controlling behaviour, as well as wider topics of domestic abuse and violence against women and girls.
"Each season, viewers will call out disturbing behaviours by contestants and it is vital that producers pay attention – not only vetting contestants properly before they start filming, but also intervening when there is controlling or abusive behaviour from contestants, and even removing them from the show when necessary for the safety of others.
"The world of entertainment has a responsibility to viewers – including many young viewers who are forming their ideas about relationships – to show that harmful behaviours are not acceptable and that unacceptable behaviour will be addressed."
Check out all of the couples on MAFS Australia below:
Sara and Tim
Columbian bride Sara was matched with Online Business Owner Tim by the experts.
First commitment ceremony: Both Sara and Tim chose to stay.
Second commitment ceremony: Although Sara was called out by the experts for her aggressive behaviour towards Tim at the dinner party, the pair both chose to stay another week.
Third commitment ceremony: After a more positive week together, Sara and Tim both chose to stay.
Fourth commitment ceremony: Following a great week together, Sara and Tim both chose to stay.
Fifth commitment ceremony: After discovering Sara had been secretly meeting up with her ex-boyfriend, Tim chose to leave the experiment during the fifth commitment ceremony. However, after Sara chose to stay, the couple remained, with Sara vowing to win Tim back.
Sixth commitment ceremony: Both Sara and Tim chose to stay following a positive week.
Seventh commitment ceremony: After getting over their drama, Sara and Tim chose to stay for the final week.
Final vows: Despite Sara's final vows being very positive, Tim reminded her how embarrassed and upset she made him feel after secretly meeting up with her ex, leading many to think he was about to end things. However, things took a turn when Tim revealed Sara had made him feel appreciated during the last few thanks, thanking Sara for her effort. The pair left together as a couple, after Tim confessed he was making a decision from the heart.
Tori and Jack
27-year-old Tori was matched with 34-year-old personal trainer Jack by the experts.
First commitment ceremony: Both Tori and Jack chose to stay.
Second commitment ceremony: The pair both wrote stay.
Third commitment ceremony: After an intense chat on the couch, where Jack was called out by the experts for his "muzzle your woman" comment, the pair both chose to stay.
Fourth commitment ceremony: Tori and Jack once again chose to stay.
Fifth commitment ceremony: Tori finally vented her anger and frustrations at Jack's behaviour throughout the experiment, with the experts also calling him out. Despite this, both Tori and Jack chose to stay.
Sixth commitment ceremony: They had another grilling by the experts, but once again, Tori and Jack chose to stay in the experiment together.
Seventh commitment ceremony: After finally getting intimate during Home Stays week, Tori and Jack chose to stay for the final week.
Final vows: Despite Jack admitting he wasn't 100% sure on his decision ahead of the final vows, after hearing Tori's speech where she confessed she was falling in love with him, he later got emotional during his own speech, with the pair leaving together as a couple.
Eden and Jayden
28-year-old Eden was matched with 26-year-old Jayden by the experts.
First commitment ceremony: Both Eden and Jayden chose to stay.
Second commitment ceremony: The pair once again chose to stay.
Third commitment ceremony: Following another amazing week, Eden and Jayden couldn't look happier as they both chose to stay.
Fourth commitment ceremony: Another week without any issues saw Eden and Jayden both continue within the experiment.
Fifth commitment ceremony: Despite a slight hiccup during the couple's retreat due to Eden's knowledge of Sara meeting her ex, both Eden and Jayden admitted the issue brought them stronger and closer together. Both chose to remain in the experiment.
Sixth commitment ceremony: It was another tough week for Eden and Jayden, due to the pair having differences in voicing knowledge about their fellow cast mates. Despite Jayden calling out Eden's behaviour, the pair both chose to stay for another week.
Seventh commitment ceremony: After another tough week for the week, Eden and Jayden had an emotional chat with the experts, before they both chose to stay for the final week.
Final vows: After saying "I love you" during the final dinner party, the final vows were only going to go one way for these two! Jayden even bought Eden a cute little bracelet!
Lauren and Jonathan
32-year-old Lauren was matched with 39-year-old Jonathan by the experts.
First commitment ceremony: Both Lauren and Jonathan chose to stay.
Second commitment ceremony: Despite Lauren admitting intimacy week showed up issues, the pair both chose to stay another week.
Third commitment ceremony: Despite the experts calling out Jono for not standing up for his wife following Jack's "muzzle your woman" comment, the pair both chose to stay for another week.
Fourth commitment ceremony: Lauren admitted she is currently having no romantic feelings in her relationship with Jono, but the pair did both choose to stay for another week.
Fifth commitment ceremony: After experiencing a better week together, Lauren and Jono both chose to stay.
Sixth commitment ceremony: Despite Lauren missing due to emergency surgery, the pair kept in touch throughout and both chose to stay in the experiment.
Seventh commitment ceremony: After Lauren returned from surgery, things were looking up for the pair, until Tori dropped the bombshell that Jono had been texting former co-star Ellie, leaving Lauren fuming. Despite the revelation, the pair had already both decided to stay in the experiment.
Final vows: After reading the messages between Jono and Ellie, Lauren chose to express her true feelings during the final vow ceremony, where she'd slammed his behaviour throughout the experiment and concluded with "it's not me, it's you", before storming off. The pair left separately.
Jade and Ridge
The final couple to be matched by the experts was 26-year-old Jade and 27-year-old Ridge.
First commitment ceremony: Both Jade and Ridge chose to stay following a successful honeymoon.
Second commitment ceremony: After a strong week getting to know each other on a deeper level, both Jade and Ridge chose to stay.
Third commitment ceremony: Things continue to go well for Jade and Ridge, with Jade even introducing him to her daughter, much to Ridge's delight as they visited the zoo. Unsurprisingly, the pair both chose to stay.
Fourth commitment ceremony: Following another great week, Jade and Ridge chose to stay.
Fifth commitment ceremony: Despite Jade's mum and sister having a few concerns over Ridge's maturity, Ridge declared his true feelings for Jade during the final commitment ceremony, with both deciding to stay for the final week.
Final vows: During the final vow ceremony, Ridge confessed his strong feelings for Jade and admitted he'd love to move to the Gold Coast within three months to be with her. Despite admitting she questioned Ridge's maturity levels at times, Jade also revealed she's ready to take the next step, admitting she's 'all in' and confident the experts got it right. The pair concluded things with a huge kiss and cuddle, with Ridge admitting he 'won't mess it up'.
Lucinda and Timothy - LEFT
43-year-old Lucinda was matched with 51-year-old Timothy by the experts.
First commitment ceremony: Both Lucinda and Timothy chose to stay.
Second commitment ceremony: After admitting he was going to put more effort in, both Lucinda and Timothy chose to stay.
Third commitment ceremony: Despite spending more time with each other, Lucinda admitted there's no sexual chemistry between the pair, revealing they are just 'good friends'. Despite this, both chose to stay, with Lucinda asking the experts for any suggestions to increase their sexual bond. Things then took another turn when Timothy accused Lucinda of throwing her under the bus, with him later telling production he regretted his decision to stay.
Fourth commitment ceremony: Following their best week yet, Lucinda and Timothy both chose to stay for another week.
Fifth commitment ceremony: Following another good week during the couple's retreat, where they found a stronger connection, both Lucinda and Timothy chose to stay for another week.
Sixth commitment ceremony: Following their shock kiss and Timothy's emotional moment at the dinner ceremony, both Lucinda and Timothy chose to stay.
Seventh commitment ceremony: Following a not very successful Home Stays week, Lucinda and Timothy decided to call an end to their relationship during the final commitment ceremony, with both choosing to leave.
Cassandra and Tristan - LEFT
29-year-old Cassandra was matched with 30-year-old Tristan by the experts.
First commitment ceremony: Both Cassandra and Tristan chose to stay.
Second commitment ceremony: Cassandra and Tristan delighted everybody when they chose to stay.
Third commitment ceremony: Cassandra wrote stay, but she was left in tears to learn Tristan wanted to leave. After a chat with the experts, Tristan changed his mind and decided to stay and work things out with his wife.
Fourth commitment ceremony: Cassandra and Tristan were both thrilled to stay during the fourth commitment ceremony.
Fifth commitment ceremony: After Tristan opened up his heart and declared he was starting to fall in love with Cassandra, things took an unexpected turn when Cassandra confessed she didn't feel the same way. Despite Cassandra wanting to leave, Tristan chose to stay, so the couple remained in the experiment.
Sixth commitment ceremony: Following a chat, Cassandra and Tristan both decided to leave the experiment, admitting they are better off as just friends.
Andrea and Richard: LEFT
51-year-old Andrea was matched with 62-year-old Richard by the experts.
First commitment ceremony: Both Andrea and Richard chose to stay.
Second commitment ceremony: The couple both decided to stay, admitting their affection for one another.
Third commitment ceremony: Despite Andrea admitting some problems for the first time during the experiment, they both chose to stay.
Fourth commitment ceremony: After experiencing their first argument within the process, things took a sour turn for Andrea and Richard, with Richard expressing to the experts he thought Andrea was no longer interested in him. However, after getting reassurances from his wife, both Richard and Andrea chose to stay.
Fifth commitment ceremony: Despite starting the experiment as one of the strongest couples, Andrea and Richard admitted to the experts that things have fallen off in recent weeks, with Richard revealing the pair haven't shared a kiss for over six weeks. After venting their disconnect and listening to the experts, the pair both chose to stay.
Sixth commitment ceremony: Following a week of arguments, Andrea and Richard realised they weren't meant for each other, both choosing to leave the experiment.
Michael and Stephen - LEFT
After being stood-up by his first match, the experts matched 34-year-old Michael with 26-year-old Stephen.
First commitment ceremony: Both Michael and Stephen chose to stay.
Second commitment ceremony: Despite opening up to one another during the week, Stephen confessed during the commitment ceremony that he currently doesn't find Michael attractive. However, after a chat with the experts, the pair both chose to stay.
Third commitment ceremony: After Stephen admitted to having an instant spark with his hairdresser, revealing he realised he wasn't into Michael, Stephen chose to leave the experiment. After venting his frustrations at Stephen's attitude throughout the experiment, he also chose to leave, much to the shock of their fellow cast mates.
Ellie and Ben - LEFT
32-year-old Ellie was matched with 39-year-old Ben by the experts.
First commitment ceremony: Both Ellie and Ben chose to stay.
Second commitment ceremony: Despite reservations from Ben, the pair both chose to stay.
Third commitment ceremony: Ellie chose to leave the experiment, much to the shock of the group, but because Ben chose to stay, the pair remained for another week.
Fourth commitment ceremony: Following a turbulent week, which involved Ben listing all of the things he didn't like about his wife, Ellie chose to leave, with the experts advising Ben also did the same.
Madeline and Ash - LEFT
The experts matched 30-year-old Madeline with 33-year-old Ash.
First commitment ceremony: Following a pretty turbulent honeymoon, Madeline admitted she wanted to leave, but after Ash chose to stay, the pair remained in the experiment. However, the morning after, Ash announced he'd also made the decision to leave.
Natalie and Collins: LEFT
32-year-old Natalie was matched with 28-year-old Collins by the experts.
First commitment ceremony: Natalie chose to leave, much to the shock of Collins who had written stay.
Despite her birthday seemingly being ruined by the drama during the third commitment ceremony, both Jack and Tori chose to stay in the experiment for another week, with viewers intrigued to see how their relationship plays out.
Married At First Sight Australia airs every Monday-Thursday at 7.30pm on E4.
Now read:
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