WHEN strangers meet for the first time at the altar, you’d better hope the matchmakers have got it right – so what do they think is the secret to everlasting love?
With the new season of Married at First Sight UK in full swing on Channel 4, The Sun’s reali-TEA correspondent Will Njobvu catches up with the legendary Paul C Brunson – one of the experts who pairs contestants alongside Melanie Schilling and Charlene Douglas.
Over the years, we’ve seen some unforgettable moments that made us laugh, swoon and cringe – often all at once – and Paul says the couples don’t disappoint this year either.
MAFS UK experts Melanie Schilling, Paul C Brunson and Charlene Douglas
Match points
Pairing two strangers for marriage isn’t easy, but relationship expertise is on hand right from the start.
“I think there’s the perception that we don’t get involved – but we’re involved from day one, all the way through,” Paul says.
“When I say all the way through, it’s to either divorce or stay together, as many of our couples have.”
The team is currently working on matching contestants for 2026, he reveals.
When we quiz Paul on what he looks for most in potential pairings, he says “alignment and values” rank high.
That’s not to say physical attraction doesn’t play a big part too.
“Everyone has a ‘type’ but what I look for is minimal physical attraction, not maximum,” Paul explains.
He emphasises that with “maximum attraction”, people often overlook values and lust takes over.
“Instead we’re looking for someone who best aligns with the life path that you want to take,” he says.
“Physical attraction at a minimal level, values, life alignment – these are all very important.”
Whether it’s ‘inhale’ or ‘exhale’ at the altar, only time will tell if it’ll last
‘I do… or do I?’
We may not see our favourite experts at the weddings, but rest assured, they’re eyeing every detail, just like us.
Paul has a brilliant tip on what to look out for on the big day.
“The moment at the altar, I believe, is the most important moment in their relationship,” he says.
“And I have a theory called the ‘inhale, exhale theory’.
“If, at the altar, whoever’s there turns around and they inhale, it’s not going to be a good relationship.
“But if they turn around and they exhale, it’s going to be a great relationship.”
Now we’re all going to be rewatching the weddings to see each contestant’s reaction.
Paul continues: “The inhale is an ‘Oh no, they haven’t met my expectations,’ but the exhale is ‘Oh my gosh, they’ve exceeded them.’
“And so I think that’s a pivotal moment right there.”
Brutal truths
Whether or not they meet each other’s expectations, it’s undeniable that MAFS couples face big challenges together – but that doesn’t mean the experts take it easy on them.
“Especially this series, I think we hold the couples more accountable than ever before – we make it very clear,” Paul says.
“You’ll see when we believe that we’ve gotten a match wrong, when we believe someone shouldn’t be with someone else.
“And at that moment, I think the beauty of us as experts is that we call it out.”
But Paul emphasises we should also be aware of just how intense the pressure of the experiment can be on those taking part.
“I think what’s often not realised by the public is how much of a pressure cooker the show is,” he says.
“It’s an accelerated version of life: think about any relationship you’ve had – it could be five, six years of relationship – and it’s that within just a few months.”
This year, Paul says, the latest group “had the most diversity of issues”, but he still thinks “the audience is going to connect with them”.
It’s clear he has confidence that we’ll relate to these contestants more than ever before.
“It’s going to feel like they’re more real,” he says.
“We’ve always had real contributors, but you’re going to feel like this is your nextdoor neighbour, your coworker – they didn’t see or feel the television process at all.”
Stream Married at First Sight UK on Channel 4 and never miss a moment – episodes air Sunday to Thursday
