Married At First Sight UK have refuted Nathanial Valentino's claims that the show is scripted and contestants are encouraged to say certain things by producers, as well as shutting down his allegations that he didn't know partner Ella was transgender.
In a new interview with The Mirror, the 36-year-old participant, who married 29-year-old Ella when he met her for the first time at the altar, claimed producers would input into their relationships, encouraging them to say certain things.
"That was the kind of manipulation that went on," Nathaniel alleged. "[Producers] were like goblins whispering in people’s ears. I’d be having a great conversation with Ella, she would be pulled away and, five minutes later, we’d have an argument about the exact same thing. One couple were really broken down by their manipulations. I watched a person have a full-on panic attack in my apartment."
He also claims he wasn't aware that Ella was transgender, and initially declined to be involved in the experiment when he founds out, adding, "they [producers] encouraged me to think about it, saying if I didn’t take part it would ruin this girl’s story."
In response, a MAFS UK spokesperson said:
"Nathanial entered this process voluntarily with full and informed consent, and in this instance was actually provided with more information than we would ordinarily share with cast members, to make him aware that his bride was trans.
"The matching process entails a detailed interrogation of every participant’s preferences and none of these would be overlooked when deciding who to pair them with. The welfare of all contributors on Married at First Sight UK is our top priority and we ensure that appropriate support is available to contributors at all times before, during and after filming – including 24/7 access to a member of the welfare team or psych support.
"The show is an unscripted reality series which follows real events as they naturally unfold, and is in no way scripted."
Married At First Sight UK continues on E4 at 9pm.
