Bryce Ruthven and Melissa Rawson slam sneaky editing tricks

Married at First Sight’s Bryce Ruthven and Melissa Rawson have slammed the show’s sneaky editing tricks after their portrayal on the show sparked concerns about “domestic violence”.

Married at First Sight’s Bryce Ruthven and Melissa Rawson have slammed the show’s sneaky editing tricks after their portrayal on the show sparked concerns about “domestic violence”.

The engaged couple, who welcomed the birth of their twin sons in October, told Confidential that broadcaster Channel 9 “fooled the country” when it aired “triggering” scenes of their relationship earlier this year.

“We knew what the truth was from day one but unfortunately the country got fooled,” Ruthven said during an appearance at The European Hotel in Melbourne on Wednesday.

“They have to have a villain and for some reason I got picked out.”

Rawson added: “I wasn’t overly happy with (the editing) but I guess that’s what comes with making a television show. It needs to be entertaining for everybody.”

Former DJ Bryce Ruthven said Channel 9 “fooled the country” by using sneaky editing tricks on Married at First Sight.

Melissa and Bryce on the show.

During one alarming episode, former Canberra DJ Ruthven, 31, bluntly told the Melbourne workplace trainer, 31, on their honeymoon that while she was “not ugly” she wasn’t his usual type of girl.

“When I first saw you I thought, ‘Not my type’. But I thought, she’s not … ugly?” he said.

Rawson was heartbroken and broke down in tears.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) previously confirmed it was investigating the show after receiving more than 60 complaints.

A Change. Org petition calling on Nine and production company Endemol Shine to apologise “for failing duty of care” reached over 15,000 signatures.

During one episode, Ruthen told Rawson on their honeymoon that while she was “not ugly”, she’s not his usual type.

Channel 9 previously apologised to complainants in-line with ACMA’s regulations.

“We sincerely apologise for any concern or distress which may have been raised by your viewing of the program, as that was certainly not Nine’s intention. Nine takes seriously the concerns raised by its viewers and makes every effort to ensure that the material it presents is consistent with community standards and complies with Nine’s regulatory obligations,” a letter stated.

The show, which is now in it’s ninth season, pairs complete strangers and films them getting “married” just moments after meeting each other for the first time.

There have been shocking claims of deliberate mismatching and the show has been under scrutiny in recent years over concerns about mental health and the general welfare of contestants.

The network was recently forced to remove contestant, Simon Blackburn, from its upcoming season after claims of offensive behaviour off the show.

Last year, former bride, Natasha Spencer, was rushed to hospital after self-harm fears and said appearing on the show almost “ruined” her life.

A producer attempts to break up a physical fight between two brides and the distressing scene aired during season six.

Former contestants Ines Basic, Tracey Jewel and Clare Verrall all struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder after their respective stints on the show.

Former groom Sean Thomsen claims his depression and struggles with alcoholism worsened after his time on the show following his “villain edit”.

Season five contestant, Dean Wells, previously criticised the “excessive editing” and said viewers only see, “A very manipulated and sensationalised version of what actually happened.”

One of the show’s former relationship experts, Dr Trisha Stratford, who is a clinical neuropsychotherapist specialising in the neuroscience of relationships, claims she was “bullied” by Channel 9 after raising concerns about the wellbeing of contestants on the show.

“I felt ethically, professionally, morally compromised,” Stratford previously told ABC’s Background Briefing podcast.

Former MAFS bride Ines Basic suffers from PTSD following her villain edit on the show. Pictured with groom Bronson Norrish.

“I approached Channel 9, I emailed them and asked them if we could have a meeting because I felt that (a contestant) needed to come off the show. The next thing I got was that the production was closing down for a number of weeks and that I was to attend a meeting at the network.

“I was quite surprised at that meeting, number one, that there was such an array of top level people there from both Nine and Endemol Shine, but I also felt they were attempting to bully me. After that meeting, I was completely out of the loop. I did not know anything that was going on, they didn’t want to include me.”

Stratford also claimed the show “pushes the boundaries” to boost ratings.

Confidential has contacted Channel 9 for comment.