Married At First Sight 2021 is labelled ‘the most disastrous season yet’ as insider reveals why ‘even the most hopeful couples have been torn apart’
Married At First Sight 2021 has already been plunged into controversy, three weeks ahead of it’s hotly-anticipated season premiere.
While this year’s cast has been described by Nine bosses as the ‘most genuine yet’, a New Idea report claims that barely any of the couples are still together thanks to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
‘Some have not seen each other in months because they’re interstate and it’s being hard to justify it all, especially when most have returned to their day jobs and old social circles,’ an insider claimed.
Disaster! Married At First Sight 2021 has reportedly been thrown into chaos by the COVID-19 pandemic, as interstate couples have been ‘ripped apart’ by travel restrictions, according to New Idea. Pictured: Mel Schilling, John Aiken
Claiming this season could be the ‘most disastrous one yet’, the source alleged that ‘even the most hopeful couples’ have struggled to cope with the pressures of a long distance relationship.
Married At First Sight’s eighth season wrapped filming in December, just weeks before a COVID-19 cluster was discovered in New South Wales.
As a result travel bans imposed upon New South Wales by by Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.
The border closures would likely have taken a toll on newly-formed interstate MAFS couples, many of whom would have been looking forward to celebrating their first festive season together.
Tragedy: Claiming this season could be the ‘most disastrous one yet’, the source alleged that ‘even the most hopeful couples’ have struggled to cope with the pressures of a long distance relationship. Pictured: A MAFS 2021 bride breaking down in new trailer
It comes after Channel Nine’s head of content, production and development, Adrian Swift confirmed the MAFS filming schedule had also been dramatically impacted by coronavirus.
‘Married At First Sight will not be able to go ahead like it did last year. It is next year where we think things could be more challenging,’ Adrian told MediaWeek in October.
But he joked that enforced social distancing might actually prove to be beneficial for the show’s participants.
Delays: In March, New Idea revealed filming on the upcoming season of Married At First Sight had been suspended in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. Pictured, Jonethen Musulin and Connie Crayden
‘To be honest, it might be better that way. If the couples stood 1.5 metres apart they might like each other more,’ he joked.
He added: ‘I expect the show to perhaps change fundamentally next year, but it won’t be about social distance.’
In March, New Idea revealed filming on the upcoming season of Married At First Sight had been suspended in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Production was originally due to start in August, with filming wrapping in December, but it was put on hold just a week after casting began.
‘Not being able to hold hands, no kissing and social distancing makes it hard to film a wedding,’ a source told New Idea at the time.
‘Not being able to hold hands, no kissing and social distancing makes it hard to film a wedding,’ a source told New Idea. Pictured, David Cannon and Hayley Vernon