The first episode of the new season, which aired on Monday night (29 August) saw bride Jenna reveal that she would be marrying a woman, while her would-be wife Zoe joined the men’s stag night.
It after the UK edition of the hit franchise introduced its first same-sex male couple last year, Dan and Matt, who fast became fan favourites.
Matched by dating experts Mel Schilling and Charlene Douglas, all the contestants are looking for true love – including Jenna and Zoe.
Jenna opened up to her fellow brides on their hen do, explaining: “Since I started dating women in my late 20s I’ve never really come out.”
Speaking about her approach to dating, Jenna said: “I don’t like dating apps and I don’t go out anywhere to meet anyone, so this is the only way I’m going to find love… hopefully.”
The stags embraced Zoe, hoping she could offers some advice on the girls, though she admitted: “I’ve never been with someone and thought: ‘I want to grow old with you.’”
Married At First Sight UK also introduced Thomas, who is one half of the same-sex male couple this season, and we have already seen clashing between him and Jenna.
After they started discussing wedding traditions, Jenna said she didn’t believe in being given away which Thomas disagreed with. It sparked a fierce debate on the show and online.
Thomas we fought for the right for everyone including Jenna to marry whoever she wants however she wants. A lot of us don't like the traditional, old fashioned rituals #MAFSUK
— Nicole 💙 (@nicolejauthor) August 29, 2022
#mafsuk it's all personal preference but Jenna was kinda right about being 'given away'
— AJ 🇺🇦 (@ArronJustMight) August 29, 2022
If you are LGBTQ+, at your wedding would you want … #MAFSUK 🤵🏾
— MAFS Hysteria (@MAFShysteria) August 29, 2022
“We. Are. Representing,” relationship expert Dan Schilling told Digital Spy about the inclusion of a lesbian couple, “we have a gay couple and a lesbian couple this year, and that’s never been done before in the history of Married At First Sight.“
Schilling credited Dan and Matt, the first same-sex coupe on the UK series, with paving the way.
“I think that is on the back of the success of Dan and Matt last year. Not only were they a great couple, and they were successful, and they’re still together, but they did such a good job of representing a healthy, normal, gay relationship.”
Schilling added that they did not want to play “to stereotypes, but just show normal human beings having a loving relationship. So we get to do that times two this year.”
There has already been a positive reaction to Zoe online, as she charmed viewers with her joke about being “the big lesbo reveal at the end”.
‘I knew I’d be the big lesbo reveal at the end’. I already like Zoe. #MAFSUK 🤵🏾 pic.twitter.com/skfogeDCWD
— MAFS Hysteria (@MAFShysteria) August 29, 2022
Absolutely love Zoe already 😂 #MAFSUK
— Abbie (@AbbieHounsell) August 29, 2022
Ah now this Zoe seems a bit down to earth. That's more promising. #MAFS #MarriedAtFirstSight #MarriedAtFirstSightUK #mafsuk
— Simon is now 33% more absorbant (@iamsime2) August 29, 2022
“Big lesbo reveal at the end”
Zoe is already my favourite #MAFSUK
— Chloe📚 (@yourschloex) August 29, 2022