Married At First Sight UK Groom Caught in Lie About TOWIE Star Relationship

A Married At First Sight UK groom was allegedly in a relationship with TOWIE star Dani Imbert before going on the show behind her back.

Painter and decorator Reiss Boyce, 33, wed new bride Leisha Lightbody, 31, during Tuesday night’s instalment of the E4 series, claiming he was looking for the ‘love of his life’ by signing up to the experiment.

Friends close to Dani, 27, say Reiss joined the show despite seemingly being committed to her, and claiming he had gone travelling.

A source told the Daily Mail that Reiss had declared she was The One and that they would continue their romance once he returned from his holidays.

Reiss agreed to marry dental nurse Leisha after meeting her for the first time at the altar but was quickly taken aback by her larger-than-life personality.

The scenes have reportedly left Dani ‘hurt’ and ‘humiliated,’ amid claims Reiss is only on the show to boost his public profile.

A source revealed: ‘Dani had been dating Reiss from early 2023 until May 2024, when they briefly split because she feared he was more interested in fame than their relationship.

‘Despite the split, they continued seeing each other in secret and were still together in March 2025, when, without Dani knowing, he began filming Married At First Sight UK.

‘Reiss told Dani he was going travelling and promised they would reconnect and become official again. 

‘Dani now feels hurt and betrayed; they had been in a long-term relationship, and Reiss had led her to believe they had a future together. In reality, he was filming a dating show and would go on to marry another woman.’ 

Reiss told the Daily Mail: ‘Dani is a great girl but it didn’t work out for us romantically. I will always think a lot of her and wish her the best, but when I signed up for Married At First Sight I was single and ready for commitment.’ 

During Tuesday night’s Married At First Sight UK, Reiss told the relationship experts that he was willing to do anything to find the perfect partner and shouldn’t be judged by his Essex persona.

He said: ‘Without a shadow of a doubt, I definitely consider myself to be a pretty boy. I might look like a stereotypical Essex boy but there’s a lot more to me deep down.

‘I miss being in a relationship, you can’t really beat it. I don’t know if I’ve found the full package. I do choose the wrong girls, my last relationship unfortunately came to an end because the bickering became too much. I have been heartbroken in past relationships. Marrying a stranger will work because I am willing to do anything to find the perfect one.’

The Daily Mail has contacted a spokesperson at Channel 4 for comment. 

Reiss explained on the show how he discovered later in life that his dad wasn’t his biological father, spurring on his hunt for a wife and a family.

He said: ‘I need someone who’s going to love me for me and not disappear when things get a little bit tough.

‘I am ready to settle and now is the right time. I have been in love, I know what it feels like, butterflies in your stomach, it’s the best feeling you can have, I want my forever person and the fairytale.’

Shortly after meeting bride Leisa at the altar, Reiss was immediately put off by her personality, which he described as ‘loud’ and ‘over the top.’

He said: ‘I am contemplating whether I am going to be attracted to her, it’s hard to tell.’

Dani, known for her appearances on TOWIE, recently hit the headlines after kissing two contestants from this summer’s Love Island on the same night.

Tommy Bradley and Ben Holbrough admitted kissing Dani, despite being in relationships with their respective Love Island partners.

The reality star has also enjoyed a romance with cast mate Roman Hackett, who’s now dating former Love Islander Matilda Draper.