Married At First Sight UK Scouser Thomas reveals how his mum reacted to him marrying a stranger

Scouser Thomas Hartley wasn’t holding back when he met the man he was getting hitched to on this season’s Married At First Sight UK.

After admitting during the reception that he was hoping for tall, dark and handsome, he told digital designer Adrian, ‘I wasn’t expecting H from Steps!’ 

Not exactly the best start to married life, but now the 31-year-old mental health care assistant has told The Guide exactly what he was looking for when he signed up for the show.

“I want somebody who I can shine with,” says Thomas. “I want supportive, kind, passionate and funny. My physical preference is dark features, dad bod and big arms!”

Literally just spat my tea out 💀 #MAFSUK pic.twitter.com/pddSTjAySb

— E4 (@E4Tweets) August 30, 2022

Blonde easygoing Adrian, who’s originally from Huyton but now lives in Manchester, didn’t seem to be ticking too many of those boxes when the couple got together in episode two of the new series.

As soon as he saw him standing at the altar, Thomas jokingly compared his groom-to-be to TV sports presenter Clare Balding and revealed he wasn’t his type, criticising his hair and his wedding suit.

Things got even more rocky when the pair shared the top table after the ceremony and Thomas clashed with Adrian’s best mate Katie, who felt they were so mismatched she didn’t even want them to go off on honeymoon.

Thomas at his wedding

After past failed engagements, Thomas says he was optimistic that Married At First Sight could finally find him Mr Right.

“I wanted to go on the show because I think I’d exhausted all avenues of dating and so I started to become to guarded and impatient with people,” he admits. “I felt like I was going to be in my own forever. 

“I’ve been engaged twice, I got a bit scared and backed out. I’ve had successful relationships and some pretty toxic ones, but this experience has re-energised me and I feel like a new person.”

Adrian waits nervously for Thomas to arrive

Fans of the series saw Thomas talking about how close he is to his mum and the episode showed them bantering about his love life.

He says his parents weren’t surprised when he decided to go on TV and tie the knot with a complete stranger.

“My dad was very proud and I don’t think it came as a shock to most of my family and friends because I am a pretty eccentric character. 

“My mum said a few profanities and then she was off buying a dress from Mark Melia! She loves it all now.”

Best friend goals right here #MAFSUK pic.twitter.com/cReDJSPQ0k

— E4 (@E4Tweets) August 30, 2022

Thomas and Adrian had a heart-to-heart and hugged it out by the end of the wedding day but as for whether there’s a MAFS happy ending on the cards, Thomas is giving nothing away. He says there’s one thing viewers can be sure of, though – for better or for worse, he’s definitely being his authentic self.

“I’m a massive fan of the show, I did watch the previous series and I’m so glad the UK took on Australian format.

“The best piece of advice I got before I went on was, be yourself, don’t self-edit, because even if people don’t like you, you don’t have to keep up an act. The public can see right through you if you’re fake.”

Married At First Sight UK is on E4, Monday to Thursday nights at 9pm. There’s a total of 30 episodes leading up to the final one which is due to be screened mid-October.

You can catch up on Married At First Sight UK episodes here.

By Dawn Collinson

Featured image credit: Channel 4