Married at First Sight UK returned this week but it turns out that some of the singletons are no stranger to fame.
As always, the hopefuls are coupled up based on science and sociology, with the brides and grooms then meeting at the altar for the first time.
The newlyweds then face the challenges of married life, moving in together and seeing if they can form a connection with one another while taking part in weekly commitment ceremonies.
Experts Paul C Brunson, Mel Schilling and Charlene Douglas were brought back to match up a new crop of married couples.
But the new season has been hit with accusations of fakery, sparking questions over the authenticity of the show as the contestants have been branded as ‘fame-hungry’ for their reality TV pasts.
MAFS 2023: It turns out that some of the line-up is star-studded, one even dated Chloe Sims
Which contestants have previously been on the telly?
Married At First Sight’s Georges previously appeared on Celebs Go Dating, where he enjoyed a date with former TOWIE star Chloe Sims.
The Surrey-based sports physio, 30, dated the famed Essex beauty, 41, during an appearance on the show back in 2018.
And during the date with him, Chloe let slip that she ‘loved’ the name Georges and even opened up about their potential future marriage plans.
During their date, Georges cheekily hinted: ‘I have been in the South of France for my brother’s wedding.’
He continued: ‘My family have been all married in the church before, so it’s now down to me to get married in that church.
‘I think I would like to personally continue the family tradition. Personally, I would have loved to have invited you to be my guest’.
Jokingly Chloe responded: ‘Why didn’t you Georges?’ and he quickly chirped back ‘Well, I didn’t get the opportunity.’
Despite their very flirty exchange, the pair parted ways and nothing went any further after the date.
TOWIE favourite: Married At First Sight’s Georges previously appeared on Celebs Go Dating, where he enjoyed a date with former TOWIE star Chloe Sims
Searching for the one: After things didn’t work out with Chloe during their date on Celebs Go Dating, Georges is now looking for love on MAFS
Georges isn’t the only familiar face who’s looking for love – MAFS UK is just another listing for Nathanial’s IMDB list – as the 36-year-old boasts credits in both Geordie Shore and E4’s Young, Free and Single.
As well as this, the events marketing manager from Manchester also appeared on MTV’s Million Dollar Baby, which also saw The Valley’s Lateysha Grace try to make her young daughter a millionaire.
All of this screen time has left the experienced reality star with a pool of famous friends – he’s brushed shoulders with stars from many British reality TV series.
His stint on Geordie Shore: Hot Single Summer in 2021 saw him strike up friendships with Charlotte Crosby and Sophie Kasaei, who have both featured on posts on his Instagram.
Nathanial is also well-acquainted with glamour model Jemma Lucy from Ex on the Beach and has been known to hang out with Gaz Beadle’s ex-girlfriend Lillie Lexie.
Hunk: Georges isn’t the only familiar face who’s looking for love as Nathanial boasts credits in both Geordie Shore and E4’s Young, Free and Single
Famous connections: Famed TV personality Charlotte Crosby pictured with the up-and-coming Nathaniel
Looking for love: Tattooed hunk Brad is another familiar face with a famous date to boast – having met Geordie Shore icon Charlotte Crosby from his time on Celebs Go Dating
Former flames: Brad was spotted on a night out with Charlotte Crosby in 2016 as they appeared on Celebrity Dates
He also hangs out with Ex on the Beach star Jemma Lucy, and Gaz Beadle’s ex, Lillie Lexie as well as the Made in Chelsea elite Miles Nazaire and Charlie Radnedge.
And the reality TV star has also been spotted with Love Island’s Jade Affleck and Natalia Zoppa, building up quite an array of reality TV star pals.
Tattooed hunk Brad is another familiar face with a famous date to boast – having met Geordie Shore icon Charlotte Crosby from his time on Celebs Go Dating.
But like his co-star Georges, the 27-year-old’s first quest for love on Channel 4 didn’t go to plan, prompting him to come back for a second try and love.
The model, from Grimsby, went on the show in 2016 aged just 20, where viewers saw the succession of dates unfold on camera.
While he got close with Charlotte on-screen, Brad failed to impress with his less than stellar spice tolerance which saw him wincing in pain after a hot sauce roulette challenge left him reaching for a glass of milk.
Although Charlotte was keen to join in, it turned out that she also struggled to handle the heat.
However, their romance didn’t work out as it faded following their appearance on the show, with Brad looking for love again.
Recognisable: Yet another Celebs Go Dating alum, fans may also recognise 34-year-old finance manager Laura from Hampshire
Chirpy fella: Married At First Sight UK fans have spotted that contestant Luke has already appeared on TV after watching the first episode of the series on Monday
Searching for love: Viewers rushed to Twitter to reveal that the sales executive appeared on Davina McCall’s The Language Of Love series two-years-ago
Yet another Celebs Go Dating alum, fans may also recognise 34-year-old finance manager Laura, from Hampshire.
Open about her affinity for ‘a Chelsea boy’, it may come as a surprise that this Married at First Sight UK star once rubbed shoulders with Essex boy Pete Wicks.
Laura was coupled up with Hollyoaks’ Gary Lucy on Celebs Go Dating, but the pair also went on a double date with Pete, who was on a date with another contestant.
She admitted that her last marriage lasted only ten months and that she spends a lot of her weekends frequenting upmarket bars in London’s luxurious Chelsea neighbourhood.
Meanwhile, MAFS UK star Luke has a slightly different claim to fame. having appeared on Davina McCall’s The Language of Love last year.
Viewers rushed to Twitter to reveal that the 30-year-old sales executive from Clacton-on-Sea appeared on the series two years ago.
The Language of Love saw Luke move to Spain with both British and Spanish singletons to find ‘the one’.
Glamorous: One singleton on this season of Married at First Sight UK went down the TV route before when searching for love, with Peggy appearing on Take Me Out
Throwback: Peggy, 32, from Kent appeared on the dating gameshow in 2012, where she was branded ‘Picky Peggy’ by host Paddy McGuinness for being fussy
The show presented a huge twist in that contestants were not able to speak the same language as each other.
Unfortunately, Luke couldn’t find love the first time around on reality TV, but he’s back to try again.
Another singleton on this season MAFS UK who went down the TV route before when searching for love, was Peggy, who has appeared on Take Me Out.
Peggy, 32, from Kent appeared on the dating gameshow in 2012, where she was branded ‘Picky Peggy’ by host Paddy McGuinness for being fussy.
Married At First Sight UK: Meet the series eight contestants
Name: Arthur
Age: 23
From: London
Occupation: Tennis coach
Why: ‘I’m ready to find the love of my life’
Name: Ella
Age: 29
From: Weston-Super-Mare
Occupation: Clinic Consultant
Why: ‘This experiment is so much more than just me getting married. I see this as a big deal for someone who has transitioned’
Name: Brad
Age: 27
From: Grimsby
Occupation: Model
Why: ‘I trust the experts with all my heart that they have matched me well’
Name: Jay
Age: 31
From: Lancashire
Occupation: Sales manager
Why: Hopefully, they’ve found someone who is right for me and I do have faith that everything happens for a reason’
Name: Georges
Age: 30
From: Surrey
Occupation: Sports Rehabilitator
Why: ‘I said to the Experts that I will give 120%. I trust them and I’m going to trust the process’
Name: Laura
Age: 34
From: Hampshire
Occupation: Finance Manager
Why: ‘I have my fingers firmly crossed for a positive outcome – I don’t want another divorce’
Name: Luke
Age: 30
From: Clacton
Occupation: Sales executive
Why: ‘I’m really open so I know I can make things work and build, I’m just hoping she has the same attitude’
Name: Peggy
Age: 32
From: Kent
Occupation: Technology risk partner
Why: ‘I want that lover and someone who can also be my best friend’
Name: Nathanial
Age: 36
From: Manchester
Occupation: Events marketing manager
Why: ‘I don’t trust anyone but myself, but I hope they’ve done a good job that’s all I can say’
Name: Porscha
Age: 36
From: London
Occupation: Executive assistant
Why: ‘I’m trying not to think too much about the fact that I’m marrying a total stranger because I’ll probably psych myself out’
Name: Paul
Age: 26
From: Chesham
Occupation: Account manager
Why: ‘I hope the experts literally hand delivered my best friend and life partner’
Name: Rosaline
Age: 28
From: Crewe
Occupation: Florist
Why: ‘I’m excited, but I’m also feeling quite nervous. It doesn’t feel real1’
Name: Terence
Age: 40
From: Reading
Occupation: Youth Worker/DJ
Why: ‘I’m looking forward to it and I’m excited. The only bit I’m worried about is whether she’ll like me’
Name: Shona
Age: 31
From: Nottingham
Occupation: Performing arts teacher
Why: ‘My happily ever after would be for him and I to go through the experiment and really try and grow together’
Name: Thomas
Age: 27
From: Wiltshire
Occupation: Investment communications
Why: ‘I’m excited to meet this person and see what we could do together’
Name: Tasha
Age: 25
From: Leeds
Occupation: Childcare assistant
Why: ‘I have faith in the experts that I could find the love of my life – the Ant to my Dec!’
