MAFS Australia virgin Matthew makes first UK TV appearance with new girlfriend Bella

MAFS Australia ‘virgin’ Matthew makes first UK TV appearance with girlfriend Bella as he admits show was a ‘painful experience but gave him the confidence to approach his partner’

He was labelled the ’29-year-old’ virgin when he appeared on season six of Married At First Sight Australia, before marrying Lauren Huntriss in an ill-fated union. 

And Matthew Bennett – now 31, has made his first UK appearance with his British girlfriend Bella Jameson, appearing on Lorraine on Wednesday. 

During the show, Matthew, admitted he found the experience a ‘painful’ one but said it gave him the ‘confidence to approach his girlfriend’ who he met a couple of months after the show was filmed but before it aired in 2019.

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Moving on: MAFS Australia virgin Matthew made his first UK TV appearance with new girlfriend Bella on Lorraine on Wednesday as he admitted the show was a ‘painful experience but gave him the confidence to approach his girlfriend’

All over now: Matthew was labelled the '29-year-old' virgin when he appeared on season six of Married At First Sight Australia, before marrying Lauren Huntriss, (pictured) in an ill-fated union

All over now: Matthew was labelled the ’29-year-old’ virgin when he appeared on season six of Married At First Sight Australia, before marrying Lauren Huntriss, (pictured) in an ill-fated union

Matthew, who married Lauren, 32, on the show on the day they met, was famously criticised for dumping her because he ‘wasn’t attracted to her’ despite losing his virginity to her.

His decision to separate also came after Lauren admitted to liking threesomes and swinging and said she used to be a lesbian. 

But Matthew insisted his intentions towards her were good, no matter how things played out. 

Not into her: His decision to separate came after Lauren admitted to liking threesomes and swinging and said she used to be a lesbian and he said he 'wasn't attracted to her'

Not into her: His decision to separate came after Lauren admitted to liking threesomes and swinging and said she used to be a lesbian and he said he ‘wasn’t attracted to her’

Happy ever after: He met Brit Bella a couple of months after the show was filmed but before it aired in 2019

Happy ever after: He met Brit Bella a couple of months after the show was filmed but before it aired in 2019

He told Lorraine: ‘I was sincere in that I thought I would get matched with my perfect partner and have a fairy-tale ending, but there was naivety. 

‘It was definitely trial by fire, I learnt lessons from it, and got the confidence to approach Bella. It was a painful thing to go through but overall good for me in the long run.’

In a swipe at Lauren, he said: ‘The show showed me what I don’t want – values that I didn’t want in a person.’

Bella said: ‘I had never seen the show – didn’t know what it was

Ouch! In a swipe at Lauren, he said: 'The show showed me what I don’t want – values that I didn’t want in a person' (pictured on his wedding day to Lauren - also the day they met)

Ouch! In a swipe at Lauren, he said: ‘The show showed me what I don’t want – values that I didn’t want in a person’ (pictured on his wedding day to Lauren – also the day they met)

‘He told me on our first date that he’d been on TV – I thought “oh whatever” – it’s going to be something no one’s seen, not a big deal. Then it turned out to be the most watched show in Australia.

‘It was difficult for me to get my head around at first. I am probably still in denial about how big it was.’ 

Matthew added: ‘I can’t watch it. There are some things that are better left in the past.

‘I have a theory that some of the couples were matched because they are polar opposites. That’s where the drama sparks from.

‘Initially when it first came out I got recognised. I am a quiet person, I keep to myself, it’s now died off.’

Bella added: ‘Anyone on the street who sees you have been really nice to you. They say they can relate.’ 

Matt previously told MailOnline his experience on the show left him feeling uncomfortable with intimacy until he met girlfriend Bella.

He said: ‘I wasn’t ever capable of saying “I love you” to someone before my girlfriend.

‘Now I constantly say it all the time and tell her how gorgeous she is and it’s not something I remember before.’

Met his match; Matt previously told MailOnline his experience on the show left him feeling uncomfortable with intimacy until he met girlfriend Bella

Met his match; Matt previously told MailOnline his experience on the show left him feeling uncomfortable with intimacy until he met girlfriend Bella