It’s the most talked about dating show on telly but Married at First Sight needs more sex chatter according to show expert Charlene Douglas.
The couples, who wed a stranger, have weekly commitment ceremonies to reaffirm their relationships – and dinner parties, which often lead to explosive confrontations.
But the sex and relationship therapist reckons a bedroom boost would be even more beneficial.
READ MORE: MAFS Australia viewers floored as ‘toxic’ mum makes savage dig at son’s new wife
Charlene says: “My specialism is sex and intimacy so I’m always excited to have a platform to share more of that.
(Image: Matt Monfredi / Channel 4)
“At the moment it’s going really well so if it can continue on that trajectory we’re in a good space but hopefully next time you’ll see the experts give more feedback to the couples as well.
“I don’t know if we’re quite there in terms of the talking about sex stigma going away.
“We’ve got better with social media – there’s a lot of sex positive accounts where people are taking back their power so we’re heading in the right direction.
“Years ago you wouldn’t see shows like MAFS or Love Island where relationships develop and it’s great we’re moving in that direction and having these types of conversations.
(Image: Charlene Douglas)
“You’re seeing more dating and relationship advice and years ago there was nowhere to go.”
With the latest Australian version of MAFS on the box, it’s got some way to go to top the last Brit series which saw partner swapping, explosive rows and their first lesbian couple the only pairing to stay together when the cameras stopped rolling.
Vegan Jenna Robinson and meat-eating Zoe Clifton overcame their diet clashes to fall in love.
Charlene, 42, says: “There’s a representation from every different walk of life, which is a privilege to be part of that.
(Image: Matt Monfredi / Channel 4)
“I’m very happy with the casting. We focus on the development of relationships and in particular making sure that people own their own stuff when it comes to their contribution in a relationship.
“Very often when someone has an argument the focus is blaming others. “For us, it’s: ‘OK, let’s acknowledge what the other person has done’ here’.
“There’s a lot of focus over the last few years on how you can create a different outcome by the way you react to a different situation.
“Zoe and Jenna did amazingly with that – and the other couples all learned a lot about themselves and relationships.”
(Image: Channel 4)
For more of the latest showbiz and TV news from the Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.
The ultimate water cooler TV show, MAFS has gained an impressive male following, overcoming the stereotype that only women are interested in watching relationship programmes.
Charlene says: “I have been so surprised by the amount of men that have watched Married at First Sight and come over to me in the street and said: ‘What you said to that couple was really interesting’ or ‘I can’t believe that couple said that’.
“MAFS is a different type of show where you can hear the experts giving relationship advice that a lot of people can relate to; that’s the appeal to the show.”
Charlene has partnered with Candy Crush Saga, who found 74% of Brits fake an interest to impress a potential suitor and 60% conceal hobbies when meeting new people.
READ NEXT:
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
