Married At First Sight Australia expert Trisha Stratford dead at 72

Former Married At First Sight star Trisha Stratford has died, with current expert John Aiken announcing the shock news.

Former Married At First Sight Australia expert Trisha Stratford has died. She was 72.

The New Zealand-born clinical neuropsychologist starred on the Channel 9 dating program from its debut in 2015 until her departure in 2020.

Stratford’s MAFS colleague, fellow original expert John Aiken, announced the news on Instagram Monday.

“I’m heartbroken and devastated that my friend and dear colleague Trisha has passed away,” he wrote alongside photos of himself with Stratford.

Aiken and Stratford starred on MAFS together.

John Aiken announced the news on Monday.

“We shared an amazing seven seasons of MAFS together. She loved everything New Zealand, relationships, the All Blacks, the Black Caps, French wine and travelling the world. I’ll miss you, Tish. Thank you for all the memories.”

Stratford’s cause of death is unknown.

Nine added in a statement the network was “deeply saddened” to hear of Stratford’s passing.

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

Married At First Sight experts John Aiken, Mel Schilling and Trisha Stratford starred alongside each other for seven seasons.

Stratford, who was heavily involved in social justice projects throughout her career, announced in September 2020 she would be leaving MAFS.

“After seven seasons of Married At First Sight 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.

“The program provides a platform for an ongoing conversation on relationships and I wish the program continued success and hope future participants find everlasting love.”

She was replaced by clinical sexologist, Alessandra Rampolla.

It’s understood Stratford, who was living in Sydney during her time on MAFS, relocated back to New Zealand with her Auckland-based boyfriend Roger shortly after departing Nine.

Trisha with her boyfriend Roger, whom she began dating in 2018.

While her decision to quit MAFS seemed amicable at first, Stratford later suggested she didn’t appreciate the direction the show was going in.

Trisha became renowned among viewers for asking couples, “Have you been intimate yet?”

“I felt in my guts that this wasn’t what I’d want to be watching at home on TV,” she said in a 2021 interview with Woman’s Day.

“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.”

Stratford had one child, an adult daughter named Gina. She was also a proud grandmother to a granddaughter.

Prior to her stint on MAFS, Stratford worked for 60 Minutes as a war correspondent in Somalia and Bosnia.

In her trade, she specialised in neuroscience of relationships, and wrote several books on the subject.

Originally published as Married At First Sight Australia expert Trisha Stratford dead at 72