Married At First Sight 2024: Disappointed Groom Declines Channel Nine's Request for Instagram Login Details in Anticipation of New Season

A jilted groom set to appear on Married At First Sight 2024 is refusing to hand over his Instagram login details after he sensationally quit the show.

Daily Mail Australia can exclusively reveal that Simon Flocco has not only bolted from the show, but now is refusing to play ball with the network.

Stars who appear on the show are expected to relinquish their social media accounts even after quitting.

Sources close to Simon revealed the 39-year-old is ‘utterly gobsmacked’ that he was included in the show’s official line up, which was announced on Monday.

Nine used an old photo Flocco had sent to the wardrobe department, crudely photoshopped, in a bid to dupe fans.

A jilted groom set to appear on Married At First Sight 2024 is refusing to hand over his Instagram login details after he sensationally quit the show. Pictured: Simon Flocco

Daily Mail Australia can exclusively reveal that the 39-year-old marketing manager from Adelaide, has not only bolted from the show but now is refusing to play ball with the network

‘Simon thought he was completely out of the picture. Seeing that photoshopped image was a real shocker for him,’ an insider revealed.

When prodded for a comment, Simon’s response was laced with irony: ‘Why am I even in the line-up? I suppose they’d do anything for ratings, right?’

Initially, Flocco had consented to let Nine handle his Instagram when he signed up for the show. But, in a defiant change of heart, he’s decided to sever all ties with the show.

Close friends say he’s ‘mentally checked out,’ and are aggrieved that he’s being dragged back into the chaos.

Sources close to Simon revealed the 39-year-old is ‘utterly gobsmacked’ that he was included in the show’s official line up, which was announced on Monday

‘Simon thought he was completely out of the picture. Seeing that photoshopped image was a real shocker for him,’ an insider revealed

Missed opportunity

Channel Nine and EndemolShine Australia, the production company behind MAFS are said to be ‘deeply disappointed’ with Simon’s decision.

Daily Mail Australia can reveal that as a consequence of his actions, Simon won’t be provided with any stills or clips from his time on the show.

Flocco was the only groom not to have his Instagram promoted and tagged on the show’s official website or Instagram account.

They also won’t be helping him apply for a Instagram verification badge.

Simon breaks his silence

Despite filming his backstories, and attending the bucks’ party, Flocco almost ‘derailed’ the series after getting cold feet and fleeing the country.

Breaking his silence in October, Simon told Daily Mail Australia: ‘MAFS wasn’t what I thought I wanted at this point in my life, that’s all.’

Expressing his remorse, he added, ‘I just felt bad for whoever they set me up with. I did initially leave, but they managed to coax me back… I gotta look out for myself.’

At the time, one production insider explained: ‘It’s complete and utter chaos! Simon leaving was a blindside. Everyone’s been running around like headless chickens trying to salvage the situation.’

In a last-ditch effort, producers then paired Simon’s intended ‘husband’ Michael Felix with Perth hair dresser Stephen Stewart, and introduced the couple as mid-season intruders.

In a last-ditch effort, producers then paired Simon’s intended ‘husband’ Michael Felix with Perth hair dresser Stephen Stewart, and introduced the couple as mid-season intruders

Runaway groom

As previously reported by Daily Mail Australia, Simon almost completely ‘ruined’ the show’s plans to highlight a same-sex couple during their year of ‘diversity’ at the eleventh hour before his nuptials.

‘He kept having doubts, expressing his discomfort,’ a well-placed source revealed.

‘Producers, hungry for a groundbreaking narrative, persuaded him to stick around. That’s why he was at the bucks.

Married At First Sight returns to television January 29 on Channel Nine at 7.30pm.