MAFS groom Jesse savaged on social media for ‘cruel’ treatment of Claire

A controversial MAFS groom has been slammed on social media for his horrendous treatment of his TV wife – in which he mocked her for being excitable.

The Married At First Sight groom who entered the experiment listing his “icks” in women has copped the wrath of viewers for being “cruel” to his TV bride in last night’s dramatic episode.

Jesse Burford, 30, and Claire Nomarhas, 31, initially shared a spark at their wedding aired earlier this week, which quickly dwindled after Claire revealed her interest in star signs – one of Jesse’s smorgasbord of icks.

The couple’s Whitsundays honeymoon got off to a rocky start when Jesse told her off for being too loud – the marriage celebrant later apologising, explaining how his walls went up because her independence was making him feel less “manly”.

In an attempt to get back on track, Thursday night’s episode saw the duo sit down for a romantic dinner, which was soon interrupted by the infamous honesty box challenge.

Presented with the question, ‘What are your deal-breakers and why?’, kindergarten teacher Claire explained how someone with no emotional intelligence wasn’t going to work for her.

Jesse, on the other hand, doubled down on his “icks”.

Jesse doubled down on his star sign “ick”.

“There’s no point in me talking about deal-breakers up here, if I’m ready to ditch people off just a little ick,” Jesse said.

“I’ll just tell you, the first one [ick] is the star sign chicks. As long as she’s got a good value system, then I can compromise with what your interests are … But if I don’t yet know your value system, like all these chicks back in Perth that are like ‘I’m into star signs!’ I’m like, ‘ergh’, not about that man.”

Keeping her calm, Claire pondered whether he thought that attitude was “superficial”.

“You could’ve met the love of your life in the last eight years, but because she’s like, ‘Oh my god, I’m a Taurus’, you’re like, ‘Nah, seeya, bye’,” she said.

“If it’s giving someone positivity, and something to believe in, don’t you think that’s actually a really nice thing?”

“Don’t you think that’s quite superficial?”

Then came the next question which sent the evening into a downward spiral. Claire asked Jesse, “What is my most endearing, and most annoying trait?”

Jesse dived straight into the negatives, making fun of Claire’s positive outlook on life.

“It’s the random comments on everything,” he began, before imitating a high-pitched female voice.

“‘Oh my god, look at that boat! Oh my god, look at the sand! Oh my god look at the sun, it just illuminates the sand and becomes so bright! Oh my god, amazing!’”

“Yeah, nah, you’re not my person. I’ve decided that,” Claire responded, before leaving the table. “I’m f**king done here.”

Claire and Jesse's honeymoon has descended into chaos.

Claire was left in tears.

Later in a piece-to-camera, a teary Claire said: “I tried to hold it together but he’s just closed-minded, that really hurts my feelings. It’s not a nice person to do that.

“I don’t want to stay in this room with him, I want to go home.”

Meanwhile, Jessie said he was “surprised” Claire walked away. “She wanted to hear an example, so I gave it to her.”

Viewers have since rallied around Claire, dubbing her a “queen” for holding her own despite the confronting behaviour.

Going full Meryl at Claire knowing her worth and refusing to tolerate being put down. That's powerful. That's feminism. #MAFSAUpic.twitter.com/mJw81EiwaF

— Eliza Barr (@ElizaJBarr) February 2, 2023

Claire describing her dealbreakers as things essential to a healthy relationship while Jesse sees a woman looking at a star and pushes her off a cliff #MAFS#MAFSAU#MAFSAustralia#MarriedAtFirstSight#MarriedAtFirstSightAU

— dr mimi petrakis 🦇 (@MimiPetrakis) February 2, 2023

Nah because women are told every day that they’re too loud, talk too much, are too intense. Its such a real thing & I feel sad for Claire who is wonderful & kind #MAFS#MAFSAustralia#MAFSAUpic.twitter.com/d8e7bEjyVu

— regular maz (@pocketmaz) February 2, 2023

Feel sorry for Claire who came on the show to find a partner and instead is coupled with a man who takes his sadness and insecurities out on those around him. Jesse is nowhere near emotionally mature enough for a relationship #MAFSAU

— Rohan I (@the_impey) February 2, 2023

"I don't need any experts to tell me this is not for me".

Claire is an absolute queen 👸#MAFS#MAFSAUpic.twitter.com/3Yaz7lK9fY

— Married At First Sight Experts (@mafsexperts) February 2, 2023

Speaking to Today Extra this week, Claire was surprisingly kind when it came to talking about her TV husband’s demeanour.

“I just think that sometimes an ‘ick list’ can be yours walls coming up,” she said.

“True vulnerability is letting people in.”

Married At First Sight continues Sunday at 7pm on Nine