As Married at First Sight UK 2025 enters its dramatic final week, former star Emma Barnes has shared her exclusive verdict on the series' most shocking storyline: Julia-Ruth's partner swap bombshell.
The Making of a Reality TV Villain
In her final column for The Mirror, Barnes did not hold back in her assessment of Julia-Ruth's journey, stating she has "become the villain" of the experiment. Barnes draws parallels to a contestant from the previous year, noting that Julia-Ruth openly declared she would pursue another husband to extend her stay on the E4 show.
"She flirted with men in the group and openly chose the men she was after in challenges," Barnes observed. However, she argues that Julia-Ruth has taken this role to a new level outside of the experiment itself.
The Lanzarote Getaway and Its Aftermath
The situation escalated significantly when Julia-Ruth went on a last-minute holiday to Lanzarote with fellow participants. It was during this trip that she slept with Joe, the ex-husband of castmate Maeve. This event occurred within just two days of them leaving the show.
Barnes expressed being "flabbergasted" by this development, reflecting on her own difficult experience after leaving MAFS UK early. "Coming out of the experiment is a real shock and a complete anti-climax," she explained, describing how she sofa-surfed and struggled with being jobless and without a husband.
She questioned Julia-Ruth's decision, emphasising that the cast are meant to be a crucial support network during the six-month secrecy period before the show airs. To complicate matters further, Julia-Ruth later revealed that Steven, Nelly's ex-husband, had asked her on a date.
Barnes also noted Julia-Ruth's social media activity, including posting a collage of her Lanzarote trip and creating "strange music videos," which she believes added fuel to the fire.
Final Vows Predictions
With the main drama concluded until the reunion, Barnes turned her attention to predicting the outcomes of the final vows, which are looming.
She forecasts that three couples will decide to stay together: Rebecca and Bailey, Davide and Keye, and Abi and John. She believes all three pairs will still be together at the reunion.
Unfortunately, the outlook is less positive for two other couples. Barnes predicts that Leisha and Reiss will leave the experiment, suggesting he will dump her while she is wearing a veil. She also believes Leigh and Leah will not make it, with Leah likely being the one to quit.
Married at First Sight UK continues tonight at 9pm on E4.
