Married At First Sight’s Bryce Ruthven and Melissa Rawson enjoy a beach date

They’ve been labelled Married At First Sight’s most controversial couple this season.

But Melissa Rawson and Bryce Ruthven were the picture of happiness as they enjoyed a romantic beach date over the Easter long weekend.

A photo, which has been exclusively obtained by Daily Mail Australia, proves the pair, both 31, are still very much an item despite their turbulent on-screen romance.

A grinning Bryce, who wore a grey hoodie and navy shorts, cuddled up to his other half as they strolled along the sand together.

Melissa, meanwhile, looked chic in a pair of skinny jeans and a knitted tan sweater.

The barefoot lovers looked like they didn’t have a care in the world as they soaked up the late-afternoon sun.

So far on Married At First Sight, Bryce has criticised Melissa’s physical appearance, shown little regard for her feelings during arguments, and isolated her from the other couples in the experiment.

Even Bryce’s own mother questioned why Melissa was sticking by him during a video call that aired on the show last month.

But in the months since filming wrapped, the pair are still happily together and planning their future – and they’ve even made some high-profile friends. 

Last Thursday, Bryce and Melissa were spotted meeting up with radio presenter Kyle Sandilands and nightclub identity John Ibrahim in Sydney. 

While Melissa’s visit appeared to have been brief, Bryce spent a longer period of time chatting to Kyle and John at a café.

A source told Daily Mail Australia: ‘Bryce wants to get back into radio so he caught up with Kyle at his office for some advice.

‘They then went across the road for lunch with John for more of a chat about Bryce’s career.’

Kyle recently defended Bryce’s behaviour on Married At First Sight, telling listeners of his KIIS FM radio show: ‘I’ll tell you why I like Bryce, because I see an early version of myself in him.’