MAFS star Dan Webb reveals why he’s turned his back on dating

He was the Married At First Sight “villain” who had a very public post-show breakup with controversial co-star Jessika Power. Now, after the backlash, Daniel Webb has revealed why he’s taking a step back from dating.

Daniel Webb shot to fame earlier this year on Nine’s Married At First Sight. The 36-year-old car sales broker from the Gold Coast became one of the show’s ‘villains’ when he dumped his ‘bride’ on the show Tamara Joy for blonde bombshell Jessika Power. Despite declaring their love for each other on the show, Power and Webb had a very public post-show breakup. Next week Webb will appear in a show at the Brisbane Powerhouse called Air Your Dirty Laundry — Live, where audience members will be invited to ask personal questions about love, dating and intimacy. Webb says he’s taking a step back from dating and focusing on being a dad to his five-year-old-son, but is happy to try to help others by sharing his dating tales.

So the Air Your Dirty Laundry Live show sounds like it could get interesting, with audience members quizzing the panel on personal topics. Are you worried about how much over-sharing might go on at this show?

I’m no one to give advice after my mishap on TV but I’m suppose this will be raw to hear the opinions of other people. Some people might be struggling in different ways. Belinda Love reached out to me and thought I might be a good fit for the show to give my opinions on dating, but I don’t know how much I know.

Daniel Webb and Jessika Power. Photo: Instagram

Do you have any regrets about putting yourself out there so publicly on Married At First Sight (MAFS)?

I don’t have regrets about going on — what happened happened. I learnt a lot about myself — but you only see what the producers want you to see.

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You’ve been more reflective recently on social media — has the MAFS experience made you rethink your approach?

I’m taking a step back from dating. I got a lot of negative backlash, and death threats. People do take it seriously. I’m trying to be reflective about the mistakes I’ve made and what people have learnt from it, if that can help people along the way.

What’s your strategy on social media — how do you deal with that level of aggression?

Until it happens to you, you don’t know how to deal with it, I don’t let it bother me. People who give false and negative feedback through the keyboard are usually disappointed in their own lives. I don’t get negative feedback to my face in real life.

Is your brother Sam (founder of mental health charity Livin) a positive influence on you in that respect?

Me brother has always been pretty positive — he’s had his ups and downs, we bounce off each other and support each other.

You said you’re taking a break from dating for a while?

I think it’s for the best — I’m just concentrating on my young fella at the moment, if someone pops up of interest I’m always open to finding someone.

What’s the best thing about being a parent?

I just love spending time with him, we’ve been playing soccer, I’m helping coach the under-6s. We go to the movies, theme parks, all sorts of stuff. He’s also really into wrestles at the moment.

Married At First Sight’s Dan Webb, in Sydney. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Who from the MAFS family has remained friends?

I still speak to a couple of people from MAFS — I speak to Mark (Scrivens), I speak to Mike (Gunner).

Have to ask, how much contact are you in with Jessika Power now?

Me and Jess we blew up in the end, it wasn’t pretty. She did reach out and we did meet and she apologised to me. We’re back on speaking terms, we’re definitely not going to get into a relationship anytime soon. But it’s amicable.

Are you still getting recognised out in public after your time on MAFS, how has going on that show changed your lift?

I still get recognised when I go the shop or the gym. I still get the photos and selfies request. It has died off a lot, it really was 15 minutes of fame.

You were recently charged with alleged fraud offences — is there anything you want to say about that trial?

I can’t comment, it’s still in the courts.

*Dan Webb will appear in Air Your Dirty Laundry — Live at the Brisbane Powerhouse on Friday 6 September and Saturday 7 September with love coach Belinda Love, dating coach Mark Rosenfeld, sexologist Madison Missina and roving reporter Stevie Mac, tickets: brisbanepowerhouse.org