The first part of the Married at First Sight UK reunion special, which aired on Thursday, 13 November, delivered high-stakes drama, revealing which couples survived and unveiling a major bombshell involving bride Julia-Ruth.
Couple Status Revealed and a Tattoo Scandal
In the extended episode, fans finally discovered the fate of the couples post-experiment. Despite their promises during the final vows, Leisha and Reiss had split, with their relationship ultimately failing due to persistent communication problems.
However, it was good news for the three other couples who chose to recommit: Abi and John, Rebecca and Bailey, and Keye and Davide were all confirmed to be still together, much to the relief and joy of their supporters.
The most shocking revelation, however, involved Julia-Ruth and Joe, a groom who was originally paired with Maeve before they both quit the show early. Co-star Dean dropped the bombshell that Julia-Ruth and Joe now have matching tattoos reading 'Why not?', which they reportedly got while on holiday together after leaving the programme.
Tense Confrontations and Emotional Fallout
Julia-Ruth entered the reunion alone, following a rocky relationship with her assigned partner, Divarni, throughout the series. The news of the tattoo set the stage for a fiery confrontation.
At the final dinner party, Maeve directly confronted Julia-Ruth, pressing her on whether she would have pursued a relationship with Joe if his connection with Maeve hadn't already deteriorated. The intense grilling became too much for Julia-Ruth, who was brought to tears, describing the situation as "a lot" to handle.
Social Media Statements and Cryptic Teasers
In the wake of the dramatic episode, Julia-Ruth took to Instagram to address the tattoo controversy head-on with a lengthy statement. She framed her decisions around the phrase 'Why not?', listing reasons such as "why not apply for MAFS UK" and "why not hope you find love."
She concluded her post with a defiant message: "Here’s to permanent ink, permanent mistakes and permanently showing up and owning it." She also teased more drama to come, asking her followers, "Who’s ready for one more boxing match tomorrow? Have you at least been entertained by my trainwreck love life? I b****y hope so."
While Joe has remained silent on his relationship with Julia-Ruth and the accusations from fellow cast members, he shared a cryptic video on his Instagram Stories on the morning of Friday, 14 November. The clip featured a man saying, "Whatever you do you're going to be judged."
Ahead of the reunion, Joe had also released a statement criticising the show, claiming he left after realising "the true nature of the experiment" and alleging that some participants would "lie, deceive and tread on others to get where they want to be."
The Married at First Sight UK reunion special continues tonight at 9pm on E4.
