MAFS UK's Nathanial Valentino says he was 'manipulated' by show bosses
MAFS UK’s Nathanial Valentino claims he was ‘manipulated’ by show bosses into marrying transgender bride Ella Morgan as he reveals SHOCKING behind the scenes details from the ‘sham’ series
Married At First Sight UK star Nathanial Valentino has claimed he was ‘manipulated’ into marrying transgender bride Ella Morgan by show bosses, branding the E4 series a ‘sham’ – allegations the broadcaster strenuously denies.
Nathanial, 36, who identifies as pansexual and is attracted to a person regardless of gender, said he originally turned down the pairing with the busty blonde beauty, 29, after requesting a match with someone who displayed ‘masculine energy’.
Telling The Mirror that producers ‘encouraged’ him reconsider his decision as not to ruin Ella’s ‘story’ and said production crew ‘provoked conflict’ behind the scenes with no interest in helping the couples find love.
He told the publication: ‘The way some were treated on the show became very dark. Pretty much from the start it was a complete sham’.
Amongst his many shocking claims Nathanial said the participants were fed pre-scripted lines by a team which he nicknamed ‘the little b***hes and witches’ and at one point were even confined to in their rooms for 22 hours a day.
Admission: Married At First Sight UK star Nathanial Valentino, 36, has claimed he was ‘manipulated’ into marrying transgender bride Ella Morgan by show bosses, branding the E4 series a ‘sham’
Claims: Nathanial, 36, who identifies as pansexual and is attracted to a person regardless of gender, said he originally turned down the pairing with the busty blonde beauty after requesting a match with someone who displayed ‘masculine energy’ (pictured together on the show)
‘That was the kind of manipulation that went on. [the team] were like goblins whispering in people’s ears. I’d be having a great conversation with Ella, she would be pulled away and, five minutes later, we’d have an argument about the exact same thing’.
Nathanial, who quit the show early, said he eventually agreed to marry Ella, with his only stipulation being he didn’t someone that smoked or worked in the ‘sex industry’ only to discover on their honeymoon that his new wife had been a stripper.
Going on to say while his bride became a ‘monster’ as a result of the interfering production crew another participant was left having a ‘full-on panic attack’.
A Channel 4 spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘Nathanial entered this process voluntarily with full and informed consent, and in this instance was actually provided with more information than we would ordinarily share with cast members, to make him aware that his bride was trans’.
‘The matching process entails a detailed interrogation of every participant’s preferences and none of these would be overlooked when deciding who to pair them with’.
‘The welfare of all contributors on Married at First Sight UK is our top priority and we ensure that appropriate support is available to contributors at all times before, during and after filming – including 24/7 access to a member of the welfare team or psych support’.
‘The show is an unscripted reality series which follows real events as they naturally unfold, and is in no way scripted’.
It comes after MailOnline revealed Ella shared a passionate kiss with a contestant on the E4 series that enters the experiment at a later date behind Nathanial’s back despite them committing to each other on their wedding day.
Shocking: He said producers ‘encouraged’ him reconsider his decision as not to ruin Ella’s ‘story’ and said production crew ‘provoked conflict’ behind the scenes with no interest in helping the couples find love
Crazy: Amongst his many shocking claims Nathanial said the participants were fed pre-scripted lines by a team which he nicknamed ‘the little b***hes and witches’ and at one point were even confined to in their rooms for 22 hours a day
BTS: He went on to say while his bride became a ‘monster’ as a result of the interfering production crew another participant was left having a ‘full-on panic attack’.
The revelation rocked the cast and Ella’s relationship with Nathanial, who identifies as pansexual, meaning he doesn’t see gender and falls in love with the person, was left in tatters.
Viewers sobbed as Ella and Nathanial married after meeting for the first time at the altar and the former Geordie Shore star accepted his new wife for who she is as a transgender woman.
But Ella formed a connection with one of the other grooms in the process who is a heterosexual man, with the two agreeing they were much better suited.
A TV source told MailOnline: ‘There’s no denying that Ella and Nathanial were instantly attracted to each other the day of their wedding.
‘But Ella’s natural type is a straight man with masculine energy so one of the other grooms ticked more of her boxes.
‘She didn’t want to hurt Nathanial or go against the process because being part of the show means so much to her.
‘Ella was looking for love and with the other groom, he adores her body and mind, and they had a much better chance of enjoying a long-lasting relationship together.’
The E4 show introduces new couples to the experiment as the series unfolds and Ella’s affair takes place with one of the grooms who is yet to join the process.
Married at First Sight UK airs Monday to Thursday at 9pm on E4.
Married At First Sight UK: Meet the series eight contestants
Name: Arthur
Age: 23
From: London
Occupation: Tennis coach
Why: ‘I’m ready to find the love of my life’
Name: Ella
Age: 29
From: Weston-Super-Mare
Occupation: Clinic Consultant
Why: ‘This experiment is so much more than just me getting married. I see this as a big deal for someone who has transitioned’
Name: Brad
Age: 27
From: Grimsby
Occupation: Model
Why: ‘I trust the experts with all my heart that they have matched me well’
Name: Jay
Age: 31
From: Lancashire
Occupation: Sales manager
Why: Hopefully, they’ve found someone who is right for me and I do have faith that everything happens for a reason’
Name: Georges
Age: 30
From: Surrey
Occupation: Sports Rehabilitator
Why: ‘I said to the Experts that I will give 120%. I trust them and I’m going to trust the process’
Name: Laura
Age: 34
From: Hampshire
Occupation: Finance Manager
Why: ‘I have my fingers firmly crossed for a positive outcome – I don’t want another divorce’
Name: Luke
Age: 30
From: Clacton
Occupation: Sales executive
Why: ‘I’m really open so I know I can make things work and build, I’m just hoping she has the same attitude’
Name: Peggy
Age: 32
From: Kent
Occupation: Technology risk partner
Why: ‘I want that lover and someone who can also be my best friend’
Name: Nathanial
Age: 36
From: Manchester
Occupation: Events marketing manager
Why: ‘I don’t trust anyone but myself, but I hope they’ve done a good job that’s all I can say’
Name: Porscha
Age: 36
From: London
Occupation: Executive assistant
Why: ‘I’m trying not to think too much about the fact that I’m marrying a total stranger because I’ll probably psych myself out’
Name: Paul
Age: 26
From: Chesham
Occupation: Account manager
Why: ‘I hope the experts literally hand delivered my best friend and life partner’
Name: Rosaline
Age: 28
From: Crewe
Occupation: Florist
Why: ‘I’m excited, but I’m also feeling quite nervous. It doesn’t feel real1’
Name: Terence
Age: 40
From: Reading
Occupation: Youth Worker/DJ
Why: ‘I’m looking forward to it and I’m excited. The only bit I’m worried about is whether she’ll like me’
Name: Shona
Age: 31
From: Nottingham
Occupation: Performing arts teacher
Why: ‘My happily ever after would be for him and I to go through the experiment and really try and grow together’
Name: Thomas
Age: 27
From: Wiltshire
Occupation: Investment communications
Why: ‘I’m excited to meet this person and see what we could do together’
Name: Tasha
Age: 25
From: Leeds
Occupation: Childcare assistant
Why: ‘I have faith in the experts that I could find the love of my life – the Ant to my Dec!’
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