Married At First Sight’s controversial couple swap is set return next week.
Daily Mail Australia understands that producers have decided to adopt a more conventional approach during the upcoming Feedback Week after controversy last year.
An insider close to the production revealed, ‘This year’s series will see couples meeting up with each other over drinks and dinner rather than having to live together for three days.’
This change comes after last season’s partner swap, which involved couples living with different partners in tiny apartments, was met with considerable pushback from both cast members and Channel Nine bosses.
The decision to modify the couple swap format was influenced by the cast’s reception to last year’s experiment.
Married At First Sight’s controversial couple swap is set return next week. Daily Mail Australia understands that producers have decided to adopt a more conventional approach during the upcoming Feedback Week after controversy last year. (Eden Harper pictured with Tim Calwell)
An insider close to the production revealed, ‘This year’s series will see couples meeting up with each other over drinks and dinner rather than having to live together for three days’ (Pictured: Stephen Stewart with Jade Pywell)
‘Not everyone was keen to participate. They didn’t see the point of it and was like, ‘No way this would happen in the outside world,” the insider explained.
Amid the reluctance, Jack Dunkley notably expressed his willingness to swap his bride, Tori Adams, with another groom, a sentiment not widely shared among the rest of the cast.
Reflecting on the previous criticism, Channel Nine had initially aimed to encourage the cast to step outside their comfort zones by living with another partner.
Amid the reluctance, Jack Dunkley notably expressed his willingness to swap his bride, Tori Adams, with another groom, a sentiment not widely shared among the rest of the cast
However, the experiment faced significant criticism for the discomfort and drama it caused among participants.
‘The partner swap challenge was ‘hell for all involved’, and not all participants were willing to participate,’ revealed sources from Daily Mail Australia last year.
Layton was said to be livid when he was told that he would be paired with Bronte Schofield and refused to participate.
Last season also witnessed unexpected chemistry between Evelyn Ellis and Duncan James, who got closer during a steamy impromptu photoshoot.
The pair ended up together after shooting wrapped.
MAFS boss John Walsh commented on the traditional aspect of the partner swap, stating, ‘We’ve always done a partner swap; it’s been a lunch or dinner, where we’ve got different partners to give feedback to each other.’
It appears this season aims to return to the roots of this concept, focusing on conversation and mutual understanding rather than the more extreme living arrangement twist of the previous year.
Married At First Sight continues on Sunday at 7pm on Channel Nine.
