Trigger warning: This article discusses suicide.
He may not have been one of season seven’s biggest stars but former Married At First Sight groom Chris Nicholls has shared what life has been like since his time on the show.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Chris, 38, admitted that his mental health has been at a low.
“Working FIFO, where making friends and meeting new people is hard, and not being close to loved ones or friends to even just be able to do coffee… I’ve felt the isolation to its highest I must say,” he said.
“Everything I stand for and support just seems so impossible right now. And I’d be lying if I said I’m not struggling mentally and physically.”
Chris, who was married to Vanessa Romito on the show and had a very public falling out with, added that an invitation to participate in a promotional boxing match helped when his mental health reached the ultimate low.
“One day I get this message on Instagram asking if I like to compete in a promotional ex-celebrity fight in August,” he said, adding that suicide had been “very real for him this last six months”.
However, the former MAFS star has since quit smoking and given up alcohol whilst training and admitted he’s in a much better headspace.
“For me this fight is much much more than an exhibition contest. It’s the beginning of a new and hopefully successful start too, so a new life for me.”
In February last year, Chris unleashed on the reality dating show to the Daily Telegraph, and said he felt “verbally beaten” and coerced into writing “stay” each week as the producers pushed for the most dramatic and controversial narrative possible.
“You are forced basically into saying what it is they want,” he said.
“If they don’t get that, they will ask another 10 different questions in other ways to get basically what they want and that is what they will roll with.
“They manipulate you into thinking this marriage or this relationship needs to either be consummated straight away or you need to do things they say so they can get the storylines they need.”
WATCH BELOW: MAFS’ Vanessa fed up with Chris sleeping on the couch. Post continues after video…
Meanwhile Chris’ ex-wife Vanessa has also slammed the show and shared a candid insight into her experience back in June 2020.
“The harsh truth about reality tv and social media is that there will always be eyes watching you just waiting for you to fail, suck you in with their lies, or hated with their narcissistic ways but the truth is you’re just trying to keep your head above water and hold on to your truth, your reality!” she wrote on Instagram at the time.
“Don’t ever let the people around you tell you how you’re feeling, never say ‘I’M FINE’ when you’re really not, and don’t ever feel too scared to speak out. It takes a long time to recover from something that you weren’t fine with at all. There’s nothing real about reality TV!”
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 24 at any time of the day, seven days a week for anonymous support and guidance.
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