Luke and Mel: Doomed From Day One!

When photos emerged last August showing Married At First Sight newlyweds Luke Fourniotis and Melissa Akbay living strikingly separate lives just one week into moving in together, it raised eyebrows.

At the time, it looked like a minor wobble.

Now, as behind-the-scenes details finally come to light, those images read more like a warning.

Insiders say the marriage was already unravelling long before dinner parties, commitment ceremonies or explosive confrontations ever aired on screen.

And the reason, sources claim, was simple.

Luke put in the effort — Mel didn’t. 

Married At First Sight newlyweds Luke Fourniotis and Melissa Akbay lived strikingly separate lives just one week into moving in together

Insiders say the marriage was already unravelling long before dinner parties, commitment ceremonies or explosive confrontations ever aired on screen 

In images published by Daily Mail back in August during the first week of apartment living, Melissa was seen wandering Sydney alone, headphones in, snacking on a chocolate bar and staring down at her phone.

She looked withdrawn, disengaged and deep in thought.

Luke, meanwhile, was photographed elsewhere, upbeat and smiling, dressed in gym gear with a flower tucked behind his ear as he stretched before heading out for a jog.

At the time, production sources brushed it off as a couple needing space.

But insiders now say the pair were not merely having a quiet day apart - they were already living entirely separate lives.

'That wasn't a rough patch,' one source told Daily Mail. 

'That was a marriage where one person had already checked out.'

According to multiple insiders, Mel made it clear early on that she was not attracted to Luke and had little interest in building any kind of connection.

In images published by Daily Mail back in August during the first week of apartment living, Melissa was seen wandering Sydney alone, headphones in, snacking on a chocolate bar and staring down at her phone

Luke, meanwhile, was photographed elsewhere, upbeat and smiling, dressed in gym gear with a flower tucked behind his ear as he stretched before heading out for a jog 

While Luke attempted to open conversations and find common ground, Mel allegedly shut down discussions and kept interactions surface-level at best 

'She didn't want to get to know him,' the source said.

'And that included not wanting to be friends.'

While Luke attempted to open conversations and find common ground, Mel allegedly shut down discussions and kept interactions surface-level at best.

'She didn't lean in,' the insider said.

'She leaned away.'

Sources say the lack of effort became impossible to ignore during the honeymoon and intensified once cameras were off.

'He was trying to understand her. She wasn't trying at all,' an insider explained.

One moment insiders point to as pivotal was Mel's alleged lack of interest in Luke's family, particularly his sisters.

One moment insiders point to as pivotal was Mel's alleged lack of interest in Luke's family, particularly his sisters

Perhaps the most damaging aspect of the marriage, according to insiders, was the stark contrast in Mel's behaviour 

Family is said to be central to Luke's life and sources claim his sisters were eager to welcome Mel and build a bond.

'She showed no curiosity,' one insider said.

'No effort to connect. No warmth.'

To Luke, that was devastating.

'It told him everything he needed to know,' the source added.

'If you're not even willing to know the people who matter most to your partner, you're already out.'

Perhaps the most damaging aspect of the marriage, according to insiders, was the stark contrast in Mel's behaviour.

'She was cold to Luke behind closed doors,' one source said.

'But completely different with everyone else.'

In group settings, Mel was allegedly engaged, chatty and upbeat, while in private Luke was met with distance and emotional shutdown.

Meanwhile, other couples appeared to be getting along quite well. Pictured: Gia Fleur and Scott McCristal

'That contrast messed with him,' the insider said.

'He felt isolated and humiliated.'

It also made it impossible for Luke to pretend everything was fine.

Tensions reportedly came to a head during a group discussion when cast members were encouraged to speak openly about their relationships.

While others offered glowing updates, Luke refused to lie.

'He said he was putting in all the effort and getting nothing back,' the source said.

'He was exhausted because it wasn't going anywhere.'

Insiders say Mel did not dispute his assessment and allegedly admitted she had not been putting in the same level of effort.

'That confirmation was brutal,' the source said.

'It validated everything he'd been feeling.'

Despite encouragement from fellow grooms to keep trying, Luke was reportedly left with little hope.

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'She had already told him there was no future,' one insider said.

'So what was he meant to do? Beg?'

While other couples bonded, laughed and built foundations, Luke and Mel drifted further apart.

'It wasn't one argument that ended it,' the insider said.

'It was one person showing up and the other never bothering to arrive.'

And viewers are about to see the collapse of Luke and Mel's marriage was not sudden, it was inevitable.

Married At First Sight continues Monday at 7.30pm on Channel Nine.