Married At First Sight 2026 is in turmoil just weeks into filming, with one bride-and-groom pair yanked from production amid an internal investigation.
Daily Mail can reveal that Micah Lomu, a Sydney-based finance broker, was removed from filming just days after he tied the knot with cricket presenter Ankita Karungalekar in a lavish multicultural wedding.
The couple wed last week at Lindesay House in Darling Point, with Ankita stunning in an intricate sage green and gold lehenga, holding a bright bouquet of yellow and peach blooms.
But despite the pair emerging early on as standout favourites among the cast and crew, their fairytale quickly crumbled.
Micah has denied any wrongdoing.
Married At First Sight 2026 is in turmoil just weeks into filming, with Sydney groom Micah Lomu yanked from production. (Pictured: Micah Lomu)
The Sydney-based finance broker, was removed from filming just days after he tied the knot with cricket presenter Ankita Karungalekar (pictured) in a lavish multicultural wedding
MAFS producers are said to be investigating the matter – but it remains unclear what formal steps, if any, have been taken.
Insiders tell Daily Mail that the newlyweds were told they were ‘no longer required on set’ after returning from their honeymoon.
Neither Micah nor Ankita attended the show’s first dinner party, which was filmed on August 5.
Ankita has remained tight-lipped since news of the scandal broke – but earlier this week, she posted a cryptic sunset image to her Instagram Story that read: ‘Was SO close to having everything I wanted.’
Ankita, a cricket presenter with a Master’s in Communications from Monash University, told producers she was ‘100 percent safe, happy and comfortable’ to continue the show with Micah – and is currently on ‘standby’ regarding her future on the show.
Cast members have been told the couple are no longer part of the experiment, but insiders say the door hasn’t been fully closed.
Despite the backlash, production sources say the couple made a strong impression early on and that bosses are still hopeful they can be salvaged.
‘The team really liked them – they had great chemistry and brought something different to the mix,’ the insider said.
Insiders tell Daily Mail Australia that the newlyweds told they were ‘no longer required on set’ after returning from their honeymoon
Neither Micah nor Ankita attended the show’s first dinner party, which was filmed on August 5
‘This isn’t a cut-and-dry situation and production are being very cautious about their next move.’
The incident has reignited fierce debate over MAFS’ casting and vetting process, which producers promised to overhaul after a string of past controversies.
Micah – who goes by ‘Meekz’ online – is the co-founder of wellness brand Surpass Your Limitz, promoting personal growth through fitness and motivational workshops.
Meanwhile, Ankita has worked for the Mumbai Indians and Cricket Australia, and was previously crowned runner-up in the Miss India Australia pageant.
With the couple now in limbo and producers under pressure to act, it remains to be seen whether they’ll return to the experiment – or be permanently cut from the show.
Nine is determined to deliver explosive television, so they’re taking no chances when it comes to who gets cast.
‘Network execs have enforced tough new vetting rules. No criminal records. No previous court appearances. If there’s even a whiff of controversy in someone’s past, they’re out.’
But with casting being finalised on the fly, producers are said to be juggling creative demands with last-minute replacements – and it’s already impacting the structure of the season.
‘They’re not playing it safe in terms of personalities – they still want big characters and explosive storylines,’ the source added.
‘But they can’t afford another scandal like last time. So they’re walking a tightrope.’
Daily Mail has contacted Nine and Endemol Shine for comment.
