What did you miss?
Paul C. Brunson has hinted at big drama to come in the new series of Married At First Sight UK, as he promised the show – and its reunion episode – would be the “most memorable in history”.
The relationship expert mentors newly matched couples through the show, which is no stranger to rows and bombshell announcements. But despite previous series having included physical fights, people being removed from the show and cheating scandals, Brunson told ITV’s Lorraine that the 2025 series would live longer in the memory than any other.
Brunson also told Lorraine host Ranvir Singh about the success of his podcast We Need To Talk, and why he thought celebrities were so willing to open up to him about their private lives.
What, how and why?
MAFS UK 2025 cast Paul, Ashley, Rebecca, Grace, Leigh, Maeve, Neelima, Divarni, Julia-Ruth, Davide, Keye, Steven, Joe, Bailey, Dean, Anita, Sarah and Leah. (E4)
The new series of Married At First Sight UK is just a week away from returning to E4, and on Friday, 12 September Brunson promised Lorraine viewers that it was definitely not one to miss.
Asked about the forthcoming dating show, he said: “I believe this will be not only one of the most memorable Married At First Sight series in history, but our reunion will be the most memorable reunion in Married At First Sight history.”
On the couples meeting for the first time at their weddings, he said: “Two same sex couples, we have a cross section of the UK. We have our oldest couple that we’ve ever had. We have a lot of firsts.”
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Controversies in previous series have included bride Nikita Jasmine being removed from the show over a screaming row at her first dinner party; Ben Jardine welcoming a baby with another woman just eight months after his series stopped filming; and Luke Worley being axed from the 2023 series after punching fellow groom Jordan Gayle who he had been arguing with.
The show is regularly plagued by cheating scandals, most notably including Hannah Norburn and Orson Nurse last year, and Ella Morgan and JJ Slater in 2023.
Meanwhile, George Roberts was a groom in the 2022 series, but it later emerged that three of his former girlfriends had accused him of coercive and controlling behaviour. Police have since confirmed that he will face no further action.
Paul C. Brunson on his podcast’s huge success
As well as his roles mentoring couples on Married At First Sight and Celebs Go Dating, Brunson has carved out a new niche as a podcast host with We Need To Talk.
The celebrity interview show has quickly become a must-listen, making headlines with revelations from Myleene Klass about her ex-husband cheating on her with a fellow star, and Perrie Edwards opening up on her miscarriages for the first time.
Paul C. Brunson’s We Need To Talk podcast frequently makes headlines. (PA Images)
Asked what the “magic” was behind the podcast, Brunson told host Ranvir Singh: “I honestly don’t know, I wish I did, then I could bottle it and sell it.”
“I think we do a good job of creating a safe space for our guests,” he added. “I think the guests watch the podcast, see how transparent and vulnerable other guests are, and they come prepared.”
Brunson said that his first ever podcast guest Lauren Goodger “set the tone” for vulnerable interviews and explained: “The key is to allow that awkward pause and hold space.”
He claimed: “Watching it is one of the best educations you can have. You’re learning everyone goes through trauma, but you can deal with it. It teaches you how to manage those very trying moments in your life.
“With every guest, they end up exposing something they had not planned on exposing. It’s about trust.”
Lorraine airs on ITV1 at 9am on weekdays.
Married At First Sight UK returns to E4 at 9pm on Sunday, 21 September.