An extensive guide to E4 dating show MAFS UK
The show will return in 2026
As a nation, we are pretty hooked on reality TV dating shows! Whether it be the likes of Love Island, Love Is Blind, or Married At First Sight, it's safe to say we get obsessed with the lives of the cast and all of the drama that goes with it!
Although MAFS UK first hit our screens way back in 2015, it's only recent years the show has really taken off here in the UK, creating some of the biggest dramas on TV thanks to a change in format.
Here's everything you could possibly need to know about MAFS UK series one-ten, as the tenth series is now over.
How many series?
There's so far been ten series of the UK version of Married At First Sight, but it wasn't until series six when the show changed format to follow the Australian version. This move proved popular with viewers, with the show moving to E4 for longer stints.
Will there be another series?
Yes! MAFS UK will return for an 11th series in 2026.
When did MAFS UK first start?
Series one: July 2015
Series two: October 2016
Series three: February 2018
Series four: March 2019
Series five: October 2020
Series six: August 2021
Series seven: August 2022
Series eight: September 2023
Series nine: September 2024
Series 10: September 2025
How long did each series last?
Series one was made-up of four episodes.
Series two was made-up of seven episodes.
Series three was made-up of seven episodes.
Series four was made-up of seven episodes.
Series five was made-up of seven episodes.
Series six was made-up of 30 episodes.
Series seven was made-up of 30 episodes.
Series eight was made-up of 37 episodes.
Series nine was made-up of 36 episodes.
Series 10 was made-up of 36 episodes.
What channel is it on?
MAFS UK airs on E4, with fans also able to watch episodes on All 4.
What days is it on?
Although past series have aired Monday-Thursday, the 2025 series started by running Sunday-Thursday.
However, this changed during the third week, with the series moving back to Sunday-Wednesday.
What time is it on?
MAFS UK airs at 9pm, with a few exceptions.
Who are the relationship experts?
MAFS Australia's Mel Schilling is an expert on the UK version alongside Paul C Brunson and Charlene Douglas. The trio have worked together on the show since 2021.
Whilst Mel and Paul act as matching and behavioural coaches, Charlene provides intimacy and relationship therapy support.
How to apply for Married At First Sight UK?
Applications for the 2025 series closed on 1st February 2025, but they are now open for series 11 in 2026.
The website states: 'You're just one short application form away from making dating apps, being ghosted and dating fatigue a thing of the past!
'MAFS UK isn't just a TV show - it could be your shot at finding your forever person!'
Do the cast get to choose where they go on honeymoon?
They don't! During the 10th series, former MAFS star Erica Roberts revealed on TikTok that the cast have no idea where they are going for their honeymoon until they open the envelope, which is shown on the series.
They don't get a choice where they are going, don't fly business class, and don't fly back together!
Which couples are still together from MAFS UK?
Despite ZERO couples from the 2024 series staying together, there has actually been a few success stories from Married At First Sight UK, with a number of couples even going on to real marriage and babies.
Series six couple Adam Aveling and Tayah Victoria have tied the knot and welcomed two babies, whilst series seven's Zoe Clifton and Jenna Robinson are engaged.
You can see the definitive guide to which MAFS UK couples are still together here.
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, with the pair welcoming a baby boy called Jenson Joe Aveling into the world in April 2025.
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.
Melissa Rawson and Bryce Ruthven: MARRIED
Series: MAFS Australia series 8 (2020)
Melissa and Bryce were matched by the experts during the eighth series of the show in 2020.
Melissa Rawson and Bryce Ruthven
Despite not many viewers of the show having high hopes for the pair outside of the experiment, Melissa and Bryce welcomed twin boys in October 2021, before going on to reveal they were engaged. The pair then got married on 24th February in 2023 and have been a happy family ever since.
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.
In October 2025, Martha and Michael announced the lovely news that they are expecting their second child together.
Is the UK version like the Australian version?
Although the Aussie version is known for being a little more savage and dramatic, bosses replicated the format for the UK series back in 2021, and they've kept it ever since.
The couples each make a lifelong commitment to one another at a glam ceremony before their love is well and truly put to the test as they embark on a luxury honeymoon, before moving in with each other AND their fellow couples.
Is there going to be a celebrity version?
Nothing has been confirmed just yet, but Paul Carrick Brunson has teased a potential celebrity edition of Married At First Sight.
Speaking on YouTube series Reality with Will Njobvu, Paul was brief with his words, but he did say: "There was talk about a celebrity Married At First Sight."
Now check out all of these MAFS facts:
Do they get married for real?
Many of us will be curious to know whether the marriages on the show are actually official. A show synopsis on the Channel 4 website confirmed that they are, in fact, not legal weddings. It says: "Following the Australian format, rather than legal marriages, the couples will make a lifelong commitment to one another at a glamorous ceremony, overseen by a wedding celebrant, that includes guests, bridal gowns, dancing, speeches and cake."
However, the weddings seen in the first five series of Married At First Sight UK were in fact real.
Do the cast have their phones?
No! During the experiment, the cast aren't allowed access to their personal phones. Instead, they are given production phones which only include numbers of their fellow cast members. The cast are allowed banking and shopping apps, but they don't have access to their social media accounts during filming.
Do the cast choose where to go for their honeymoon?
They don't! As the 10th series aired in 2025, former bride Erica Roberts confessed on TikTok that the couples have zero idea where they are going on their honeymoon, and only find out when they open the envelope, which is shown on screen.
Who pays for the weddings?
The wedding episodes are a real highlight of the show, as the couples meet for the very first time at the altar. Former contestant Erica Roberts revealed in 2025 that the cast get a budget of just £1,200 by production "which is meant to cover the wedding dress, the shoes, the bridesmaid dresses, the bridesmaid shoes, accessories, veil and whatever else you need for the wedding."
Erica also confirmed that the contestants can put additional money into their wedding, but they are only allowed 12 guests!
Who plans the weddings?
Former MAFS UK bride Chanita Stephenson explained that the couples know very little about their wedding, as it is planned for the couples. She said: "They do your hair and make-up for the wedding day and obviously they plan the whole wedding. It's quite difficult (to plan) because you're not allowed to know anything about your wedding day. The brides and the grooms get given a booklet each and you write down your preferences.
"So you put how you might want to have your hair, what bouquet you would like, what kind of interior you would like for the wedding and your flowers and stuff, and I think they compare you and your match and kind of go in between."
How long do the dinner parties take to film?
The dinner party episodes of Married At First Sight UK are always a source of drama, but what happens behind the scenes? Speaking to The Tab, former bride Amy Christophers revealed that filming for the dinner parties can start as early as 8:30am, and sometimes filming doesn't end until 3am.
In order to add to the drama, Amy revealed that the couples are kept separate before entering the dinner party. She said: "You'll be sat waiting in room, and then they move you out of it, and into a different room. And slowly, you get closer and closer to the party - and you're staggered out so you don't see the other couples before you walk in, and you have no idea what order you're going in."
How long does each couple get on the couch?
2025 couple Keye and Davide revealed in a behind-the-scenes video that each couple get around 45 minutes to one hour to speak to the experts at each Commitment Ceremony.
Are there limits on alcohol?
Many fans have wondered if the alcohol is free-flowing during the explosive dinner parties. Before they enter the party, the couples are allowed to drink as much as they would like to. However, after the mixer, they return to their individual rooms - not only to 'sober up', but to also give the show's crew a chance to set up the dinner party.
Are the arguments real?
Former groom Adrian Sanderson confirmed that the arguments we see on screen are in fact real. In an Instagram Q&A, he said: "People keep on saying that this is fake drama. It's not fake, they tried to keep it as authentic as possible. That's what they tried to separate us as much as possible and that's why problems happened when we went back to the apartment."
This was also echoed by 2022 bride Chanita Stephenson, who told OK! Magazine: "A lot of people think it's scripted but it definitely isn't. The dinner parties really are that dramatic. Sometimes, they tell you to talk about certain topics but never what to say, it was very real."
Do the brides and grooms get paid?
Many of us have often wondered if the MAFS UK cast get paid whilst on the show, and the answer is that they do get some money to cover their time on the show, but don't get paid. An E4 spokesperson told Cosmopolitan UK: "Contributors do not get paid to appear on Married At First Sight but are provided with financial compensation for loss of earnings due to the time taken for filming."
Where are the apartments?
After meeting for the first time at their weddings and jetting off on an idyllic honeymoon together, the couples move in to an apartment together. But where are they based? The apartments are in the Luna complex in Wembley, London.
What is the application process like?
According to Closer, the application process is pretty intense. In order to ensure that perfect matches are found, candidates are put through workshops, background checks, interviews, tests and personality questionnaires. In terms of putting themselves forward for the show, some of the brides and grooms apply, whilst others are scouted - often via social media.
Applications for the 2026 series are now open.
Who leaks stories to the press?
During the 2023 series, lots of stories from filming were leaked to the press before they'd aired on TV, leaving certain cast members and viewers very annoyed. 2023 contestant Luke Worley took to social media to express his anger at this, where he also revealed the cast are fined a huge £10,000 if they are caught leaking any stories.
Does it actually work?
There are a few Married At First Sight UK success stories, with some of the couples who have been paired together on the show staying together. You can check out which couples went on to get married for real right here.
Now read:
A MAFS Australia All Stars series is reportedly in the works
Applications for Married At First Sight UK 2026 are now open
The 2025 series of MAFS UK has finished filming