Australia’s gay community rejects Married At First Sight with few applications for new season

Channel 9’s hopes of featuring another same-sex wedding on Married At First Sight have been dashed, despite a whopping number of applicants for the reality show. This is why.

Australia’s gay community has said “I don’t” to Married At First Sight.

The makers of the Channel 9 reality show were swamped with more than 10,000 applications from Aussie singles desperate to get hitched on television.

But insiders say there were only around 20 applications from gay singles — nowhere near enough to be paired by relationship experts John Aiken, Dr Trisha Stratford and Mel Schilling.

MEET THIS YEAR’S BONKERS MAFS STARS

MAFS STAR: SHOW WAS ‘DOWNRIGHT TORTURE’

Married At First Sight experts Dr Trisha Stratford, John Aiken, and Mel Schilling. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

The trio of TV matchmakers played cupid for Craig Roach, 41, and Andy John, 40, back in 2016.

However, that was before same-sex marriage had been legalised in Australia, meaning the wedding had to be held in New Zealand, even though none of the ceremonies featuring on the show are legally-binding.

The match did not end in happily ever after for the two men with Mr Roach claiming he was left with post-traumatic stress disorder and almost lost his job after being manipulated by producers.

Married At First Sight — Andy and Craig had to get married in New Zealand.

Nine’s hopes of featuring another same-sex wedding this year have been dashed due to lack of interest from the gay and lesbian community.

Instead, the series will see 20 heterosexual singles paired into 10 couples meeting for the first time at the altar.

Brides are make-up artist Lauren, administration officer Jessica, hairdresser Ning, store manager Elizabeth, make-up artist Martha, talent agent Melissa, health fund consultant Cyrell, radio announcer Heidi, business manager Jules, and legal assistant Ines.

MAFS bride Ning, 32, from Townsville.

Groom Matthew, 29, from the Sunshine Coast.

Grooms are electrician Nic, former pro cricketer Cameron, tradie Sam, meditation coach Dino, farmer Mick, electrician Mike, primary school teacher Michael, entrepreneur Bronson, former army serviceman Mark, and videographer Matthew.

Nine had been hoping that season six would feature at least one same-sex wedding in the mix but those hopes were dashed.

“In light of the adoption of the same-sex marriage law last year we did go into casting for series six of Married At First Sight with the hope of finding a gay couple,” a Nine spokesman said.

“There weren’t a huge number of gay applicants, but we interviewed quite a few individuals from around Australia.

Neighbours featured a same-sex wedding last year.

NEIGHBOURS TV WEDDING ‘WILL SAVE LIVES’

BELOVED MAFS COUPLE CALLS IT QUITS

“Unfortunately, we didn’t feel there was a good enough match and we didn’t want to include a gay couple just for the sake of appearances.”

Australian parliament passed a bill to recognise same-sex marriage in December 2017.

Last September, Aussie soapie Neighbours featured a same-sex wedding — between characters David Tanaka (Takaya Honda) and Aaron Brennan (Matt Wilson).

Same-sex advocate Magda Szubanski played the wedding celebrant in the episode.

The new season of Married At First Sight premieres on Nine on Monday, January 28.