MAFS' executive producer addresses claims affair was staged

Was this cheating scandal a little too perfect for TV? Some say the whole thing was staged. Photo / Channel Nine

The secret affair that played out between Dean and Davina on this season of Married At First Sight was a TV producer's dream come true.

A record number of viewers tuned in to watch the show's two villains recklessly grope each other and whisper sweet nothings while their respective spouses waited cluelessly in the next room.

And then, of course, it was made all the more exciting when Dean changed his mind about Davina at the last minute and pulled the ol' switcheroo, telling her the whole thing just "made me really appreciate what I have with Tracey".

The whole scandal, from top to bottom, was TV gold.

In fact, so perfect was the narrative, many smelt a rat and rumours began circulating that either Dean, Davina, or both of them had been hired to stage the drama.

Married EP Tara McWilliams has finally responded to the claims, telling The New Daily: "I heard a rumour we paid them to have an affair, if only my job was that easy."

Instead, she claimed, the pair had simply approached producers about their feelings.

"They came to us and told us there was an attraction, we purely followed it," Ms McWilliams said.

Of course, it was a brilliant twist in the dating reality series, and has clearly paid off. It racked up the show's highest ratings in five seasons in Australia.

Discussing why so many people were interested, Ms McWilliams explained that "with the affair, there's nothing earth shattering happening but the interesting thing is you never get to see how an affair plays out, you're never privy to it."

It's also been suggested other castmates, including eccentrict Sydney groom Troy Delmege are paid actors, but Ms McWilliams insisted that's not the case.

"I take that as a compliment," she told the publication. "We do background checks on everybody and I audition them all personally."

Married At First Sight continues tonight on Three.