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Wales Online
Wales Online
Lifestyle
Stephanie Colderick

Married at First Sight's Thomas and Gemma hit out at show's welfare team as they say show 'protected' some cast

Married at First Sight groom Thomas Hartley and bride Gemma Rose have claimed that the show has "protected" some of the 2022 cast members, calling out the show for the welfare provision and favoured cast members April and Matt. Speaking on an Instagram live after the reunion show aired, on October 18, the pair made some big claims.

Thomas, who came onto the Instagram live after apologising for his behaviour during the seventh series, also promised that there was "so much more that went on" during the reunion. This is not the first time that Gemma has spoken out about the editing of the show. She has threatened to complain to Ofcom and believes the show portrayed a "fake reality. The hairdresser, whose groom on the show, Matt Murray, split from her and ended up with another bride, Whitney Hughes, also took issue with how the show's welfare team undertook their responsibilities.

READ MORE: Married at First Sight UK's Gemma accuses TV show of faking reality

Shows like Married at First Sight have teams on hand for cast members to ensure their mental health and wellbeing is looked after but Gemma felt that on this occasion the welfare provison was used as an afterthought rather than a preventative measure. Gemma said of the behind-the-scenes operations: ""I love welfare but the trouble is, welfare are getting the 'let's treat people like shit [on the show] and then let's go 'don't worry, you've got welfare and counselling'", that f**king doesn't work like that"

Thomas also said during the video that Matt was not allowed to stay at the reunion as he "displayed very hostile behaviour" to another cast member with Gemma adding that the editing of the show "protected" Matt and bride April. During the episode, Channel 4 credited Matt's absence saying he did not feel comfortable staying on the show.

Thomas said: "Matt wasn't allowed to stay because he displayed very hostile behaviour to another cast member." Speaking about how the show was edited Gemma said: "I don't feel like all of it was fair, especially with the arguments with other people, it wasn't right. They have protected people like April, they have protected people like Matt."

The bride has claimed on her Instagram that the women on the latest series of the Channel 4 series, which is shown on E4, are being made to look like "victims" while viewers are not seeing the "true" picture. Gemma's TV marriage broke down after her groom Matt, ended up cheating on her with another bride Whitney.

This left Gemma heartbroken and she has said she has been put off marriage since going on the show. She has also said that going on the show has been her biggest regret. In an Instagram Q&A Gemma repeatedly answered questions saying she regrets going on the show because of the way she has been portrayed.

WalesOnline have approached Channel 4 for comment on the statements made about MAFS' welfare team and Matt's behaviour.

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