Married At First Sight return date revealed amid major schedule shake-up

Married At First Sight is heading back to screens for its landmark 10th series - and the start date isn't far away. The E4 reality programme matches strangers together and immediately sends them down the aisle together, before deciding if a future together is what they really want.

The format has been sold around the world, and it has now been confirmed by Channel 4 that the next batch of episodes will start airing on Sunday, September 21 at 9pm.

Fans of the show will know that this is a huge change in scheduling for the programme as they have been used to tuning in on Mondays to Thursdays, but all the action will now play out from Sundays to Wednesdays instead.

READ MORE: Viewers slam BBC's new dating show as they compare it to Married At First Sight

READ MORE: Married At First Sight UK makes history with huge change to cast line-up in new series

As well as new faces, the dating show will see the return of matchmaker Paul C Brunson, dating coach Mel Schilling, and sex and relationship expert Charlene Douglas. However, it's been reported there will be a big change to the cast this year.

“For the first time in MAFS UK history, there will be two gay weddings in the same series.” A source continued to The Sun, “In the upcoming run, which hits screens later this month, viewers will see a gay male pair and a lesbian twosome meet for the first time at the altar.”

However, it’s not the first time LGBTQ+ couples have appeared on the show. Dan McKee and Matt Jameson were MAFS UK’s first gay couple back in 2021. They quickly became fan favourites and stayed together for two years before going their separate ways.

A year later, Jenna Robinson and Zoe Clifton made history as the show’s first lesbian pairing. They’re still together now and recently got engaged.

Eve and Charlie, another same-sex couple introduced in the most recent series, also said “I do” – but their relationship was short-lived due to communication issues and tense clashes on their honeymoon.

What sets this series apart is that it will mark the first time both gay and lesbian weddings are shown within the same set of episodes.

A spokesperson said, “The show has always had positive LGBTQ+ representation, and is hugely popular within the queer community. This is a really great step as for too long, dating shows have focused mainly on heterosexual couples.”

Over in Australia, Married At First Sight featured its first LGBTQ+ pairing way back in 2016. Craig Roach and Andy John were matched – but the relationship ended within days of the honeymoon.

Meanwhile, the new series of Married at First Sight UK includes a stunning new line-up of contestants, from a dental practice manager, a model, a single dad, and an influencer.

Discussing the upcoming series, expert Mel Schilling shared, "I have several favourites, I do. It's like choosing a favourite child but I do. I do have quite a few favourites this year."

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