MAFS Australia's Layton and Melinda confirm they've SPLIT

The pair have released a joint statement

Author: Alex RossPublished 11th Oct 2023

Whilst we are all currently hooked on the latest series of Married At First Sight UK, we can't forget the entertainment series 10 of Married At First Sight Australia served us up earlier this year!

Despite Duncan James and Evelyn Ellis getting together after the show, only two couples survived the experiment, and now one of them have confirmed they've called time on their relationship.

Unfortunately, Melinda Willis and Layton Mills have announced their shock split, just one month after celebrating their one-year anniversary.

They told fans: 'Hi all. We wanted to keep this private for the time being, but we have a lot of supporters that are invested in the relationship and owe it to you to be transparent.

'After a lot of thought and consideration, we have sadly decided to both take time apart.

'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.

'We want to express our heartfelt gratitude for all your support throughout our journey, it has meant the world to us," the statement concluded.

'We hope you can understand and ask for your kindness and respect during this time.

'With love and gratitude, Mel and Layton'. (sic)

Despite the split, it does sound like the pair could reconcile in the future, with things ending on good terms between the two.

Check out which couples from series 10 of MAFS Australia are still 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."

Following Layton and Melinda's split, Tahnee Cook and Ollie Skelton are now the only original couple from series 10 of MAFS Australia who are still together.

The likes of Claire Nomarhas and Jesse Burford, Bronte Schofield and Harrison Boon, and Melissa Sheppard and Josh White all parted ways on the show, but it wasn't all bad news as contestants Duncan James and Evelyn Ellis struck up a romance after the show.

After confirming they were dating earlier this year, the pair recently revealed plans to move in together, and they look seriously loved-up!

Series 10 of Married At First Sight Australia is available on Channel 4's streaming service now.

Now read:

MAFS Australia couple Evelyn and Duncan take huge step in relationship

MAFS Australia fans 'change minds' over Harrison after shock claims

MAFS Australia bosses confirm MAJOR change for next series

How to listen to Forth 1:

For great music and incredible competitions tune into Forth 1 on 97.3, DAB, online, on the Rayo app, or say ‘Play FORTH 1’ to your Smart Speaker. You’ll find new favourites every day and hear the songs you've missed from the last few years. From Boogie In The Morning, to Garry and Steven getting you home after work, we play you the biggest hits from the world's hottest artists.