MAFS expert Dr Trisha Stratford dies

One of the mainstays of MAFS has tragically died, a “heartbroken” former co-star has revealed.

John AIken broke the news on social media, revealing he was "heartbroken". Photo:Instagram

Married At First Sight’s Dr Trisha Stratford has died age 72.

The relationship expert’s shock death was announced on social media by former co-star John Aiken.

“I’m heartbroken and devastated that my friend and dear colleague Trisha has passed away,” he said on Instagram.

“We shared an amazing seven seasons of @MAFS together....I’ll miss you Tish. Thank you for all the memories.”

John Aiken broke the news on social media, revealing he was "heartbroken". Photo:Instagram

Mr Aiken did not reveal any details of her death.

The clinical neuropsychologist featured as a relationship expert on the hit marriage reality show for seven years before departing in 2020.

“I have decided to step back from the television series to focus on my writing, research and neuropsychotherapy,” she said in a statement at the time.

Dr Stratford gave more context to her decision to depart the show in 2021, telling Women’s Day NZ “by the end, I couldn’t compromise my professional and personal standards because there were participants on the show who I felt shouldn’t have been there.”

Dr Stratford joined MAFS when it launched in 2015,

“The participants we got in seasons six and seven were so outrageous and outside the norm that it wasn’t what I signed up for,” she said.

Before her work on MAFS, Dr Stratford was involved with 60 Minutes in New Zealand and Australia and was a war correspondent in Somalia and Bosnia.

“We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Dr Trisha Stratford,” a Nine Network spokesperson said in a statement.

“Our sincerest condolences and heartfelt sympathies go out to her family and those closest during this difficult time.”

More to come.