Earlier this year, millions of UK viewers said 'I do' to watching Married At First Sight Australia{
And good news for fans: production on the series is going to start soon, as Mel is packing up her life to move over to the UK next week. While applications are still open for those who want to walk down the aisle, matchmaking has already begun. Paul and Mel have also met on Zoom, with Mel saying she regularly watches Paul on Celebs Go Dating from Aus. And as Mel is moving over here for around six months, we can expect far more episodes than the five in the last series.
So, what else is going to change? We can also expect drama-filled 'dinner parties and commitment ceremonies', but, Mel says, it won't be the exact twin of the Aus version. 'It is inspired by the Aussie version, it won't be the Aussie version,' Mel tells Grazia. 'The UK is very culturally different, which is such a big learning curve for me. I mean, sure, my husband is from Northern Ireland so I live with someone who has a British passport, but there are so many cultural subtleties in the differences between the way people conduct themselves in relationships.'
Mel says, while other experts might partner people differently, she tries to match people based on their values. 'I've got real belief that what tends to predict compatibility is an alignment of values, the things that drive people and get them out of bed in the morning,' she adds. The expert also says that she gets 'really attached' to the couples, but that this isn't often shown on the series. 'There's been times where there's been tears on the couch,' she says.
One of the reasons MAFS season six has been so popular in the UK is undoubtedly the drama - cheating! Wine-throwing! quit Good Morning Britain. 'This was the first time that I started getting really quite serious trolling and online bullying. I mean, death threats,' she says, adding that she's now comfortable to talk about the furore which saw her dubbed 'the most hated woman in Australia' by some press.
'It probably took a good 18 months to two years to swing back [my reputation],' Mel - who had been on MAFS since series two - says. 'It was really hard. I got through it by having incredible support from the production company, the network, my own mentors and my friends. I had anxiety attacks and it was very difficult. I felt quite physically threatened, I was shouted at by a guy, and he yelled at me called me the C-word. We're not built to cope with that stuff.' Sounding optimistic, Mel says she's now able to see a silver lining. 'It's given me the most incredible resilience and the most incredible empathy for people who are bullied, you know,' she adds. 'I love that I've got that insight now, and I've had that lesson.' (Mel also adds that support is in place for MAFS contestants who might also have to deal with backlash from the public.)
But luckily, Mel has had a much more positive reaction from UK viewers. 'I'm so excited [about the new series],' she says, grinning. 'I've received so much feedback from fans in the UK about it. My gosh, the show has had most incredible impact.'
READ MORE: Married At First Sight Australia: What Happened To The Couples From Season Six?
What Happened To The Couples From Married At First Sight Australia Season Six?
1 of 12Sam Ball and Elizabeth Sobinoff
Sam and Elizabeth might not have lasted, as Sam seemed far more interested in Ines. But Lizzie was the true winner - she was so popular with viewers she appeared on the next series of the show, finding love with Seb Guilhaus. But, sadly, they split earlier this month after a year together.
2 of 12Cyrell Jimenez and Nic Jovanovic
'Cyclone Cyrell' and Nic's tumultuous relationship was, sadly, not to last. But prepare for another reality TV crossover, as Cyrell now has a baby with Love Island runner-up Eden Dally, and Nic has just been praised for posting a sweet tribute to his ex.
3 of 12Lauren Huntriss and Matthew Bennett
One of the biggest storylines this season was about Matthew and his virginity, as he was repeatedly labelled as 'virgin'/'ex-virgin' Matt by the narrator. Anyway, Matthew was matched with Lauren - who, yes, he lost his virginity to - but it all went horribly wrong when Lauren heard Matthew telling the other guys at dinner that he wasn't sexually attracted to Lauren. AWKWARD. Lauren is still a make-up artist, we don't know if she's dating anyone. But on the other hand, self-confessed fitness enthusiast Matthew is loved up with a new girlfriend - who he met at a wrestling tryout.
4 of 12Mike Gunner and Heidi Latcham
Mike and Heidi's relationship was one which could have gone either way, but after the show, the pair split - announcing the sad news at the post-finale reunion special. 'Right after the final vows, Heidi and I went back to the Gold Coast together but it didn't take long and the wheels started coming off,' Mike explained. Heidi has said she hasn't spoken to her former husband since. From the looks of their Instagram pages, they still look single.
5 of 12Cam Merchant and Jules Robinson
Oh, Cameron and Jules. From the minute Jules and Cam had their first wedding dance without any music, we had an inkling they were in it for the long haul. And we were right! The pair now have a baby together, who was born in October last year, and tied the knot properly after the show. So, yes - sometimes this wild experiment does work.
6 of 12Melissa Lucarelli and Dino Hira
Probably the worst matched couple on the series, it isn't shock the pair called it quits on the show after Dino allegedly recorded a conversation Melissa was having with her sister about the wedding day. It appears both are still single.
7 of 12Martha Kalifatidis and Michael Brunelli
Martha and Michael were an extremely drama free pair (in comparison to everyone else) so it's no shock that they have actually managed to stay together. Yay!
8 of 12Ning Surasiang and Mark Scrivens
Eek. Another very up and down pair, Ning and Mark's relationship dissolved during the final commitment ceremony - with Mark dumping Ning, much to her shock. Following the show, Mark moved on with another former reality star, Bianca Chatfield – who appeared on home renovation show The Block. Ning also has a new partner, and has become a grandmother aged 35: her daughter has just given birth!
9 of 12Susie Bradley and Billy Vincent
Susie and Billy were one of the couples who married later in the experiment. From the get go, Susie kept on calling Billy awkward - even calling him a deeb at one point on their honeymoon. They split before the final commitment ceremony. Susie is now dating former rugby pro Todd Carney and they have a baby on the way. However, Billy appears to be single.
10 of 12Ines Basic and Bronson Norrish
We knew this relationship wasn't going to last from the moment Ines asked Bronson to take out his eyebrow ring. Ines went on to have an affair with Sam, which Sam has since claimed was faked by producers, and it all came out during an explosive commitment ceremony. Bronson is now a lot happier with girlfriend Hayley Wallis. And from her Instagram, Ines looks to be single at the moment.
11 of 12Jessika Power and Mick Gould
Major cracks started to show in Mick and Jessika's relationship, then Jessika went after one of the newly weds, Dan. Not a shock that Jessica and Mick didn't survive then…(Neither did her affair with Dan, btw.)
12 of 12Dan Webb and Tamara Joy
After these two fell apart thanks to Jessika and Dan's affair, Tamara was linked to Jessika's ex, Mick. The drama never stops.
READ MORE: Wait, How Much Do The Couples On Married At First Sight Australia Get Paid?