Married At First Sight UK star JJ Slater has hit back at transphobic trolls after they questioned his sexuality.
The 30-year-old fashion brand owner struck up a relationship with transgender clinic consultant Ella Morgan on the show, causing shockwaves in the group because they were married to other people.
Speaking about his MAFS experience, JJ filmed a TikTok Live with his co-star Luke Worley but talk soon turned to his sexuality.
Responding to questions from followers, The Sun reports he said: ‘Am I bi now? No! I see Ella as a girl. I don’t know how many times I have to say that.
‘The thing is everyone in the experiment saw Ella as a woman and a girl because that’s what she is.’
Speaking out: Married At First Sight UK star JJ Slater has hit back at transphobic trolls after they questioned his sexuality
New romance: The 30-year-old fashion brand owner struck up a relationship with transgender clinic consultant Ella Morgan (pictured) on the show
Luke – who booted off the show after having a physical fight with co-star Jordan Gayle – backed JJ up and said: ‘Ella to me is a woman. I had never been around someone trans so I had to personally be educated.
‘I look at trans people totally different now. I had to have this conversation with Ella because I needed to be educated as well.
‘Speak to your friends about it in your group chat or privately not on a comment or a post. Speak about it privately if you want to have a rant.
‘I think people forget. They think we’re just characters, we aren’t.’
Ella and JJ are set to make their dramatic return to the experiment on Wednesday as a couple after ending their respective marriages.
Ella and JJ were both originally matched up with different spouses, but soon formed a connection and cheated on their partners together.
Following the revelation that Ella and JJ had been unfaithful, Ella’s former groom, Nathanial Valentino dramatically left the process last week.
They agreed to take a break before having a furious row as he branded her an attention seeker.
Nathanial then announced to the group he felt the drama had become too much and he was quitting the show.
He said: ‘Guys, I’m leaving. I don’t want to be here anymore. I think I’ve lost myself in this storm. I hope you guys have the most amazing experience, but I’m not here anymore.’
Support: Luke Worley backed JJ up and said, ‘Ella to me is a woman. I had never been around someone trans so I had to personally be educated’
Speaking about the split, a TV source told MailOnline: ‘There’s no denying that Ella and Nathanial were instantly attracted to each other the day of their wedding.
‘But Ella’s natural type is a straight man with masculine energy so one of the other grooms ticked more of her boxes.
‘She didn’t want to hurt Nathanial or go against the process because being part of the show means so much to her.
‘Ella was looking for love and with the other groom, he adores her body and mind, and they had a much better chance of enjoying a long-lasting relationship together.’
Meanwhile, JJ’s bride Bianca Petronzi had her say on Monday as she dished out her honest opinion of both JJ and Ella before ceremoniously quitting the series.
JJ had made it clear since marrying Bianca that she wasn’t his ‘usual type’, admitting during a commitment ceremony that he preferred ‘girls that have had a lot of work done’.
The couple had not even kissed, including on their honeymoon, with the clothing brand owner insisting he wanted to take a new approach on the show to his usual dating style.
Departed: Following the revelation that Ella and JJ had been unfaithful, Ella’s former groom, Nathanial Valentino dramatically left the process last week (pictured at their wedding)
It’s over: JJ’s bride Bianca Petronzi had her say on Monday as she dished out her honest opinion of both JJ and Ella before ceremoniously quitting the series
Sparks soon began to fly between Ella and JJ, who both chose each other as the person they would like to kiss aside from their partner.
After discovering the pair had been secretly texting and had kissed behind her back, Bianca savagely accused JJ of ‘thinking with his d**k’.
Speaking to the experts, Bianca said: ‘I didn’t really feel like he even let me in. I felt like even from the wedding day there was a wall and I think he asked for a different type of person but I don’t think he actually wanted a different type.
‘He still wanted what he’s going back to which is someone like Ella.’
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.’
