MAFS UK's Paul explains reason for Tasha split
They appeared on the 2023 series
Last updated 5th Dec 2024
Despite couples like Peggy and Georges, Jay and Luke, Rozz and Thomas, and Ella and JJ all splitting from the 2023 series of Married At First Sight UK, it had looked like the experts had conducted a perfect match in Tasha Jay and Paul Liba, with the pair breezing through the experiment and being a couple ever since.
However, just one week after Tasha was spotted partying with the 2024 MAFS UK cast, she took to social media to confirm she's split from Paul. While Paul recently revealed his issue was "figuring out if Tasha was the right person to move up North for".
Paul spoke out at an event in December 2024, saying it 'didn't work out' but he didn't have any 'bad words to say about her'.
He told The Daily Mail the distance was a big factor in the split: "My issue was figuring out if Tasha was the right person to move up North for. I'd say if we lived in London it might be easier, but to sacrifice my life and drop everything for her is a big move and I just wasn't sure about it. And that was the issue.
"Tasha is extremely close with her family. She has all her nephews and nieces, which she loves. I had my family and my friends, and I'm always busy with boxing. I think if there was a middle ground, but we just couldn't figure it out, which was kind of sad."
He also revealed: "She made me realise that I enjoy being loved and I enjoy looking for love and I just want to find the right person. Like someone to cuddle at night, someone to stop me going out, someone to tell me I am amazing."
Writing on her Instagram Story last month, Tasha wrote: 'It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing that Paul and I have decided to part ways. There isn’t any major reason, we have just come to terms with the fact that we are not right for each other.
'Paul is the loveliest guy I’ve ever met and I’m grateful for the time we’ve shared together and I’m glad that we can remain friends. I’m utterly heartbroken that I’m having to write this post, but it is best for both of us.
'Thank you to everyone who has supported us as a couple. I hope you can now support us on our individual journeys. Love you all Tasha Jay x'. (sic)
Although it isn't known when Tasha and Paul chose to split, the pair have been vacant from each other's photos in recent months, with Tasha's last upload featuring her boyfriend back in July.
Paul's last upload alongside Tasha was at the beginning of August, when the pair attended Boardmasters Festival.
After being matched together and jetting off to Costa Rica on their honeymoon during the E4 show, Tasha and Paul immediately seemed to hit it off during the experiment.
With only a few minor hiccups along the way, the pair made it all the way to the final vow ceremony, where they chose to renew their vows and remain together after filming ended.
Following a number of splits from other cast members, Tasha and Paul were the only remaining original couple from series eight to survive and they spoke to our friends at Grazia last year.
Tasha said: "I feel like we won. We're the only OG couple still together. Obviously Matt and Shona are together, they're such a good couple. But we won! We did it."
Check out which MAFS couples got 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.
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.
So, although Tasha AND Paul have now split, it sounds like they are still on good terms.
All past series of MAFS UK are available to watch on Channel 4's streaming platform now.
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Which Married At First Sight couples are married for real?