The UK version of Married At First Sight starts tonight, on Channel 4 at 9.30pm - so after all the Great British Bake Off cake drama, you don't even need to switch channels to enjoy some... marrying someone you've never met drama?
This year four singles have been picked from more than 7,000 applicants to marry on first sight. They are Michelle, a 25-year-old primary school teacher from Hastings, who is matched with Owen, a 31-year-old IT sales manager from Sheffield that also volunteers at a local children’s hospice.
Shareen, 47, is a mum to three grown-up-daughters from Durban, South Africa and now lives in Llanelli, Wales. She is an events/sales manager and has never previously been married, but is matched with David. David is a 56-year-old sales director from Solihull. He was previously married for 10 years and has two older teenager children.
READ MORE: What Happened To The Couples From 'Married At First Sight'
The singles matched after undergoing rigorous interviews and psychological tests - and have put their trust in a brand-new panel of elite matchmakers. The new panel includes two of the world’s most experienced professional matchmakers who, between them, have successfully paired thousands of couples: American dating guru Paul C Brunson, who is known as the real-life Hitch and Oprah’s ‘Love Doctor’, and leading UK matchmaker Gen Gresset. They’re supported by insight and analysis from clinical psychologist Dr Angela Smith.
Tonight's show sees Michelle and Owen tie the knot - but just before they did, they were interviewed to see how they were feeling before, yknow, getting Married At First Sight.
Michelle
Your wedding is less an hour away, how are you feeling?
I’m feeling really excited. I’m slightly overwhelmed, it’s a lot to take in. My family have just come together and it’s been emotional seeing their reactions to me all ready in my dress.
Why are you taking part in Married at First Sight?
I’m at a stage where everything in my life is in a really good place so I just want someone to share it all with. I really buy into this process and I think, sometimes, in relationships you tend to make the same mistakes again and again. Whereas the matchmakers getting to know me and then matching me based on what they think will be good for me, I really buy into that as an idea.
Have you been close to marriage before? Why haven’t previous relationships worked out?
I'm still relatively young, I guess. In past relationships I've gone for the same type of people perhaps where the relationship wasn't quite balanced and I think maybe, you know, trusting the matchmakers, it will lead to more balance and something that’s really good for me.
How did you feel when you were told you'd been found a match?
I felt really excited, but it was nerve-wracking at the same time because you never think it’s going to happen to you. It's so surreal. It took a while to sink in, but it’s sort of felt like things were falling into place, it feels right.
And what was it like telling your friends and family?
I think my friends and family were really excited for me. Some of them were nervous and, you know, people were understandably quite shocked because it's not a conventional way to get married. But they trust my instincts and they trust that it's the right thing for me and that I feel good about it.
What are you looking for in a partner?
I think it's exactly that, I'm looking for a partner, someone to share things with and to feel like you're part of a team. Someone who wants to do the same things I do, someone who’s ambitious and wants to explore and have adventures together.
What is it like being a bride but not planning your own wedding?
I kind of like that there hasn’t been any of the stress of the build-up. I’ve had a few creative inputs and got to choose my own dress and bridesmaid dresses, hen do – so I’ve done all the fun bits.
And how does it feel to be wearing your wedding dress?
I’m wearing my wedding dress right now and it feels a bit mad. I keep looking at myself in the mirror and saying ‘oh my goodness’. It’s hitting me a bit now which is why it’s emotional.
What are you most looking forward to about today?
Just having that moment where I see him for the first time and talk to him for the first time. I think that will feel like a big relief because the pressure is building to that point. When we're finally together I think it will be a really great moment.
And is there anything you're particularly nervous about?
I'm quite nervous about his parents and what they’re going to think of me.
Do you have any concerns about the adventure going forward?
I guess the concern is that things are going to change. It's such a surreal way to get married and we have to fit that into real life, so it isn't just for a month, it's forever. That's what you intend when you get married. So it’s working out how that’s going to work with real life. But I’m excited to just get to know him. I know the matchmakers are really invested in our relationship, which means he must be a pretty great guy!
Owen
You’re going to be marrying a stranger shortly. How are you feeling?
Good, really positive. Excited and obviously a little bit nervous, but mostly just excited.
Why did you want to take part in Married at First Sight?
It was the opportunity to get properly matched by experts. Marriage is a huge commitment which makes you put effort into a relationship to make it work in the first few weeks, the idea of that really appealed to me.
Have you ever come close to marriage before? Why have traditional methods not necessarily worked for you?
I've had some long-term relationships but never been close to marriage. I've been single for two years and been on all the dating apps and they’re just not very nice. It’s just not for me. I’ve met my exes either through friends of friends or through work, so have sort of known them already.
How did you feel when you were told the matchmakers had found you a match?
I think it took me a good three days to let it sink in. A few days after they told me I was out for some drinks and it suddenly just hit me, I'm getting married to a stranger! I had a slight panic but then I knew what was coming next in the process and I was excited about that and started counting down the days.
What was it like telling your family and friends, how did they react?
They were all so supportive. They obviously had a lot of concerns but, actually, as they went through their concerns and worries I had to explain the process in a little bit more detail, which put them at ease and also put my mind at ease too - it’s such a thorough process. My mum's always said she expected me to come back from holiday married one day, so I think she’s just happy she gets to come to the wedding.
What are you looking for in a partner?
Someone positive, confident, funny, happy and just up for all of this. I always say if you put me in a room full of strangers, I will go and make some new friends. If I could find someone who could do that as well, that would be a good match for me.
Are you ready for the wedding? How does it feel to be all dressed up?
I’ve got my suit on and I’ve got my best people here as well which is really nice. It’s weird, I genuinely haven't been nervous the whole way through this process, then I put my suit on, I looked at myself in the mirror this morning and I was like, ‘Oh shit, I'm getting married’. So yeah, the nerves have kicked in but I'm still excited. I've been waiting for this day for a few months now. I’m going to meet Michelle!
What are you most looking forward to about today?
I want to get past the point of seeing Michelle for the first time and all the secrecy, because then everyone can relax. I'm just looking forward to meeting her and then starting to get to know each other, getting to know her family and Michelle getting to know mine. Just having a bit of a party basically.
And what are you most nervous about?
What if she doesn't like me? She could get halfway down the aisle, take a look at me and just turn around. And also meeting her family. If I don't make a good first impression with them, that's not going to help my cause when I'm trying to impress Michelle.
Married at First Sight is on tonight at 9.30pm on Channel 4
To apply for future series of Married at First Sight visit channel4.com/takepart