He was introduced on Married At First Sight as a shy and inexperienced groom who ‘doesn’t get much attention’ from the ladies.
But on Monday, Patrick Dwyer’s ex-girlfriend Natika Stanley said that the personal trainer is very different in real life than his on-screen portrayal, after the duo dated for two years.
Speaking to The Wash, Natika said: ‘He’s definitely not as awkward or inexperienced as the show makes him out to be.
Speaking out: Patrick Dwyer was introduced on Married At First Sight as someone who ‘doesn’t get much attention’ from the ladies – but his ex-girlfriend seems to think otherwise. Pictured with his wife Belinda Vickers
‘Patrick and I dated on-and-off for two years, he was my best friend above all.’
While producers have seemingly decided to ramp up how inexperienced Patrick is, Natika did say that he’s just as ‘sweet and respectful’ in real life as he is on-screen.
She added that the Melbourne-based sweetheart would even drive eight hours to Sydney to surprise her, and ‘wait outside my work while I worked eight hours’.
‘He once surprised me with a ring,’ she added, before confirming it wasn’t for an engagement.
Different: On Monday, Patrick Dwyer’s ex-girlfriend Natika Stanley said that the seemingly inexperienced and shy groom is nothing like that on the outside world, after dating the personal trainer from 2014-2015
Cute: She added that the Melbourne-based sweetheart would even drive eight hours to Sydney to surprise her, and ‘wait outside my work while I worked eight hours’
Patrick, 29, is even said to have reached out to Natika to catch up once the show aired, but didn’t reveal the fate of him and Belinda.
It comes after Patrick and Belinda endured an incredibly awkward ‘intimacy week’ on Monday night’s episode, as they were tasked by sexologist Alessandra Rampolla with three different exercises to bring them closer together.
Patrick and Belinda were first instructed to gaze into each other’s eyes for several minutes straight, while standing close and holding hands.
Task one: Patrick and Belinda were first instructed to gaze into each other’s eyes for several minutes straight, while standing close and holding hands
But it appeared the task was already too daunting for Belinda, 27, who previously said she hasn’t been in a relationship before.
‘I can see that Pat has, like, a smiling look on his face, it was totally opposite to me,’ Belinda told producers.
She explained that she felt ‘awkward and uncomfortable’ having to stare into someone’s eyes.
Belinda then explained that she wasn’t quite ready to have a physical connection with her partner.
Not ready: Alessandra then began to instruct Belinda and Patrick of their next task, the ‘melted hug’, which saw them press their bodies against each other
‘I know Pat and I aren’t at that same level. I mean, we’ve only kissed on the lips for a couple of times, but I know that Pat wants more,’ she said.
Alessandra then began to instruct Belinda and Patrick of their next task, the ‘melted hug’, which saw them press their bodies against each other.
But the task proved too much for Belinda, who said: ‘I think it’s all new. I knew what I was coming in into, but it’s overwhelming.’
Later on in the episode, Belinda and Patrick decided to take on the sexologist’s advice without her present and it paid off.
Married At First Sight continues Tuesday at 7.30pm on Nine
Overwhelmed: The task was already too daunting for Belinda, who previously said she hasn’t been in a relationship before