In October 2018, an on-set source told Hit106.9 breakfast host Nick Gill that Channel Nine was forced to halt production for over two weeks after one Married At First Sight contestant was ordered to rehab over concerns for their mental health.
WATCH: Jessika Power spills on new MAFS contestants and Lizzie’s return
“Apparently, they’ve just started filming again after a two-week break because the producers were just like, ‘this is going too far, we need to resettle ourselves, then work out how we can tackle the rest of the season,'” he told his listeners.
“Somebody was just losing it on the set so much that they had to check them in… They were worried about their mental wellbeing.”
Now, ahead of tonight’s season premiere, the executive producer of MAFS, John Walsh, has vehemently denied these rumours, insisting filming was postponed for an extended period of time due to “production reasons”.
“No, that’s not right,” John told News.com.au about the rehab rumours. “We did postpone for a while. Dates change and things change in the schedule, but we’ve never stopped the show because of drama.
“In fact, if there’s drama, we’d want to keep filming.”
While John said we can expect a few dramatic moments and a couple of bombshell allegations, the network has confirmed the upcoming season will be nowhere near as scandalous as the last.
Speaking to TV Tonight, Channel Nine’s Programming Director, Hamish Turner said it’s going to be “a delicate balance” between love and drama.
“There will be drama, there is no doubt and we’re not afraid of that. But the beginning of the show is definitely people looking for love and that should absolutely be the driving force behind it,” he said.
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