'When I got the call I should've said no': MAFS UK groom speaks of regret of taking part in the show
It’s been a very explosive series of MAFS UK, filled with lots of questionable behaviour, but now the series has come to an end one groom has admitted he wished he’d never taken part.
Series 10 of MAFS UK has come to an end after eight weeks of drama which included shocking wife swaps, cheating scandals and multiple dramatic rows.
Now, after the final episode of the series - the reunion commitment ceremony - which aired last night (Friday November 14), one groom has admitted he wished he never took part in the show.
The groom in question has written a lengthy Instagram statement about his feelings post-show. “ Prior to this experiment; I thought I was ready for the next step in life, I thought I’d be ready for marriage, but there was still a lot for me to deal with before committing to such an event,” he wrote. He also revealed that he only find out he had a match days before he walked down the aisle. “When I received that call 10 days before the experiment - I should’ve said no,” he went on.
The words have been written by Steven, who had a failed marriage to Nelly this series. Viewers watched last night after the TV groom was taken to task by the experts about his behaviour, which included him admitting he had been on a dating app while he was still in the experiment, despite previously denying this, and owning up to the fact he had messaged another bride, Julia-Ruth, and flirted with her to annoy his fomer wife after they left the show. He apologised to Nelly and Julia-Ruth, acknowledging that neither of them deserved the way he had acted.
Steven also said in his Instagram statement, which he posted shortly after the episode aired: “I haven’t watched much of this series - for many reasons. Mainly, because I don’t like this version of myself.I didn’t like it during filming & I didn’t like it afterwards. Time had passed . . . That’s just not who I am.
He went on: “Despite doing wrong and saying some horrible things - I needed to show up (to the reunion) and take accountability for a change. My behaviours were not acceptable in any way. . . I’m sorry you’ve had to watch some of my actions on your TV screens. . . I was never perfect, nor have I ever claimed to be. We all make mistakes, it just took me longer to see them.
“Being away from it helped me reflect & despite some things coming out that were probably hard to hear, that was the truth. I should’ve checked out of this experiment earlier than what I did & I didn’t stay for ‘fame’ or for ‘airtime’ I stayed because I don’t jump at the first hurdle or small bumps in the road. Our journey was up and down to say the least & despite our differences, Nelly deserved answers, as did her friends.”
Nelly and Steven began the series as one of the most loved-up couples. They arguably had a dream MAFS wedding; instantly finding each other attractive and then only strengthening their connection as they spend the rest of the reception together and found out more about each other. They were both particularly thrilled to find they were family orientated and wanted to build a family with their spouse.
On their honeymoon, they were shown to be having lots of fun together and were affectionate and loving. Nelly told the cameras she was having the dream honeymoon with her new husband. But, then once they moved in to their apartment together back in the UK things started to go south. First Nelly was upset when Steven allgedly decided to spend the night in the pub although she’d injured herself and was at home.
The situation then went from bad to worse when Nelly and Steven had another argument and he ended up referring to as a “f***ing idiot”. Later, at a commitment ceremony, expert Paul C Brunson called Steven out for his behaviour towards Nelly.
They kept trying to repair, but Nelly repeatedly felt like her needs for affection and reassurance weren’t being met in the relationship, while Steven felt like things had become too serious too quickly and he struggled with their lack of jokes and light-hearted conversation.
The final nail in the coffin came during homestays week when Nelly’s friend showed her that Steven had been on a dating app during their time together, something which he denied at the time but then admitted to at the reunion. They promptly left the experiment and, as they have both made numerous digs on each other on Instagram as the show has been airing, it’s safe to say they’re not even friends today.