Ryan Donnelly, a groom from the Australian reality TV show Married at First Sight, has applied for an apprehended domestic violence order against his on-screen bride, Jacqui Burfoot. The application was heard at Sydney's Campbelltown Local Court on Wednesday, with Donnelly alleging Burfoot made 'vicious' and 'malicious' claims about him online.
Donnelly told reporters outside the courthouse that he had suffered 'a lot of harm' and received menacing messages as a result of Burfoot's alleged false allegations. 'An individual has tried to destroy my life, my potential for career options, collaborations … with false allegations, so men can be victims as well,' he said.
The 37-year-old is seeking a two-year order that would prevent Burfoot from publishing anything about him or his friends on social media, and from assaulting, threatening, stalking, or intimidating him. It would also bar her from damaging his property, including harming his dog Freya. Burfoot, who is now engaged to another MAFS co-star Clint Rice, did not appear in court but sent an email opposing the order, calling it 'founded on false statements and in retaliation to my win in court'.
Magistrate Shane McAnulty declined to grant the order in Burfoot's absence and asked both parties to prepare submissions before the matter returns to court on June 24. Donnelly maintained the proceedings were a valuable use of court time and said he believed he had 'an extremely strong case' for defamation against Burfoot.
The couple, who were paired on the most recent season of MAFS Australia, ended their relationship during a heated final vows ceremony. Burfoot has since become engaged to Clint Rice, who proposed at a viewing party for the show's finale.
