Married At First Sight viewers praised Bianca Petronzi for supporting Ella Morgan during Thursday’s reunion despite the cheating drama with JJ Slater.
Bianca was originally matched up with JJ and the pair got married on the E4 show, while Ella – who is a transgender woman – was paired up with Nathanial Valentino.
But JJ and Ella cheated on their original partners together and Bianca and Nathanial both left the show, while the pair re-entered the experiment as a new couple.
Nathanial never returned for the reunion but Bianca came face-to-face with JJ and Ella again at a tense dinner where she argued with her ex over the cheating scandal.
She then watched JJ and Ella reflect on their relationship during Thursday’s reunion as they spoke to the experts about why they decided to break up at the vow renewal.
Supportive: Married At First Sight viewers praised Bianca Petronzi for supporting Ella Morgan during Thursday’s reunion despite the cheating drama with JJ Slater
Cheating: Bianca was originally matched up with JJ and the pair got married, but Ella and JJ cheated together and re-entered the experiment as a new couple, before breaking up
And fans praised Bianca for being ‘dignified’ and ‘classy’ and showing her support for Ella, who opened up about being accepted as a trans woman in a tearful moment.
Taking to X – formerly known as Twitter – one viewer wrote: ‘Bianca supporting Ella as she talks about her trans journey #MAFSUK.’
Another gushed: ‘Bianca is the most gorgeous dignified beautiful lady, hope she finds her mr right,’ and a third said: ‘Bianca – what a gem. Just an absolute gem.’
A fourth tweeted: ‘Bianca is a gem. Wishing her, Ella, and JJ all the best I’m sure they’ll find their people,’ and another said: ‘Bianca. Pure class.’
When JJ and Ella opened up about their relationship to the experts, Bianca admitted she was ‘gutted’ it hadn’t worked out for the pair as she wished them the best.
Ella then broke down in tears as she opened up about how much it had meant to her to be accepted by JJ as she spoke about her dating journey as a trans woman.
She emotionally said: ‘JJ has made me see that in a relationship, I can be accepted. A straight guy can and will be proud enough to be like “yeah I’m with her, she’s my girl, she might be trans but”.
‘That is the biggest thing I’ve taken away from that. I’ve never felt that with anyone and that’s why we’ve got this special connection.’
Kind: After the scandal, Bianca came face-to-face with JJ and Ella at the reunion, but sweetly showed her support for Ella – who is a transgender woman – as she broke down in tears
Sweet: Fans praised Bianca for being ‘dignified’ and ‘classy’ and showing her support for Ella, who opened up about being accepted as a trans woman in a tearful moment
Tearful: Ella then broke down in tears as she opened up about how much it had meant to her to be accepted by JJ as she spoke about her dating journey as a trans woman
‘I am trans and that’s a label that I love, and it’s made me me. It’s so special and I deserve the best,’ she went on.
‘[JJ] is the first guy who ever accepted me and that means so much. Nobody can ever understand that.’
As she tearfully spoke about her journey on the show, Bianca could be seen nodding in support and sweetly said: ‘Oh bless her.’
She also urged JJ to get a tissue for Ella as she wept during her emotional speech as she didn’t shy away from supporting her co-star, despite the cheating drama.
After forming a connection and re-entering the experiment as a new couple, Ella and JJ broke up in a very emotional vow renewal in Tuesday’s episode.
Ella told how JJ had changed her life forever as she admitted she didn’t think they were right together during the very emotional moment.
‘Being seen for Ella as Ella without any judgement is something I thought would never happen for me,’ she said.
‘I want it to be you, but it isn’t right now. I’ll never forget you and what you’ve done for me, you’ve changed my life forever.
‘You’ve done so much for the little boys and girls like I once was, I may not have found the one in you, but I’ve found myself and my worth. I’ll always have so much love for you.’
Split: After forming a connection and re-entering the experiment as a new couple, Ella and JJ broke up in a very emotional vow renewal in Tuesday’s episode
Tears: The couple both broke down in tears as they decided that they weren’t right for each other, deciding to just be friends
JJ appeared overwhelmed with emotion during Ella’s heartfelt tribute before he delivered his own speech, agreeing with her decision for them to break-up.
He gushed: ‘I think you’re amazing, I’ve learnt so much from you, but as things stand, I think becoming friends is the healthiest thing for both of us. You are truly an inspirational person.’
Speaking to camera, JJ added: ‘I feel quite sad that things didn’t work out as I wanted them to, but I don’t think we are right for each other romantically.’
While an emotional Ella said: ‘I didn’t expect that to be as hard as it was. I feel sad but deep down I know I’ve done the right thing.
‘JJ will also hold a special place in my heart. He’s made me see that I am good enough and I shouldn’t settle for someone just accepting me, I should aim high.’
Married At First Sight UK: Meet the series eight contestants
Name: Arthur
Age: 34
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 real’
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!’
Name: JJ
Age: 30
From: Essex
Job: Fashion brand owner
Why: ‘I haven’t been able to find anybody so these guys, when the opportunity came up, it felt right for me’
Name: Bianca
Age: 29
From: Buxton
Job: Hair Extension Specialist
Why: ‘All my friends around me were having babies and getting married and I just kept thinking to myself ‘surely there must be someone out there for me’.’
Name: Jordan
Age: 26
From: Sheffield
Job: Personal trainer
Why: ‘I’ve struggled before, finding that right person.’
Name: Erica
Age: 25
From: Dance teacher
Job: Dance teacher and social media manager
Why: ‘All I’ve wanted is to settle down and have that security, that someone that I can literally spend my life with and have a best friend.’
