Love is possible on 'toxic' Married at First Sight

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c05z7y1m06no

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Two years on from marrying as strangers, Jenna Robinson (left) and Zoe Clifton are still together

The Channel 4 series Married at First Sight is known for its fights, bust-ups, break-ups and drama, but a couple in Stafford have shown that true love can also be found.

Zoe Clifton and Jenna Robinson took part in the show's seventh series, and are one of the few participant couples to remain together, two years after their appearance.

Ms Clifton said it was difficult building a relationship in the “toxic environment” of the televised experiment.

The channel insisted the wellbeing of participants was of paramount importance.

"There’s arguments happening constantly and everyone's got their opinion when it goes on TV,” Ms Clifton told BBC Radio Stoke.

“If you can get through that, you can pretty much get through anything.”

As part of the first lesbian couple of the show, Ms Clifton commended the producers for their inclusivity

Ms Clifton also criticised the production team's insistence on seizing contestants' mobile phones, restricting contact with friends and family during the several weeks of filming.

She said this approach had a "massive impact," causing more arguments between the couples and among the group.

"Your judgement is completely off," she said.

"If I was to have an argument with a partner, I'd ring my best friend and say, 'Am I over-reacting?'"

'Support from your loved ones'

Series eight bride, Rozz Darlington, agreed that the mobile phone ban made the process even more difficult.

"I needed it and sometimes that's what you need - you need support from your loved ones because they know you best," explained the florist from Crewe.

She said the online abuse that followed her on-screen break up with Thomas Kriaras was beyond anything she expected, with "thousands and thousands" of hateful messages.

"It was abuse," she recalled.

"I'd lay in bed and I could feel the hate."

Listen on BBC Sounds: Married at First Sight contestant Rozz reveals what goes on behind the scenes and gives an update on her love life

Ms Darlington has spoken to the production company's psychiatric team and a private therapist about how she was portrayed on the programme.

She has also given advice to Kieran Chapman and Kristina Goodsell from the current series who have expressed their shock at the online backlash they received.

Despite the challenges, Ms Darlington and Ms Clifton said they would both still recommend the experiment to people looking for love, but warned about online trolls.

Channel 4 said Married at First Sight UK was an unscripted reality series, and the wellbeing of contributors was of paramount importance.

The broadcaster said there were robust contributor care protocols in place and that support was available to contributors before, during and after transmission.