In exclusive footage obtained by Daily Mail Australia, it appears that the bride and groom of the upcoming season - who are supposed to be complete strangers - already know each other.
The news outlet has reported that Melbourne-based business owner Jeff Gobbels was waiting nervously at the alter for his mystery bride during the show’s filming last week when his ex-fling, fitness influencer Rhi Disljenkovic, arrived in her white dress and veil.
Experts Mel Schilling, Alessandra Rampolla and John Aiken will return for another season of Married At First Sight Australia. Photo / Nine
The footage showed Gobbels laughing when he realised who was in front of him, before it cut to the former flames chuckling as they embraced.
Yahoo has reported the pair, who were understood to be casually seeing each other this time last year, met through their mutual friend, Australian Survivor star, Abbey Holmes.
After a couple of months together, they called things off and went their separate ways, but a source claimed they “have kept in touch” as they attend classes at the same gym in Richmond.
Despite their familiarity going against the show’s concept, an insider has revealed to Daily Mail that no changes have been made to the format, and the former couple, now husband and wife, will continue in the experiment.
“This was definitely not part of the plan,” the insider said. “Producers were as surprised as anyone when Jeff and Rhi recognised each other. But they’re hopeful that this unexpected twist could actually work in their favour.
“Sometimes, a past connection can be a strong foundation to build on, and the experts believe they can help Jeff and Rhi reignite their relationship.”
And it looks like the experts may be on to something, even though the couple had a good laugh when they saw each other, by the end of the ceremony, they were all smiles as they walked off hand in hand.
Gobbels is no stranger to the world of TV after starring as police officer Kurt Bridges in 2017 on the popular Australian soap drama Neighbours.
Married At First Sight Australia groom Jeff Gobbels as police officer Kurt Bridges in Neighbours. Photo / Amazon MGM Studios
While he has appeared in other productions including the 2018 film Undertow, his last acting credit was in A Promise Carved in Flesh in 2020.
According to his LinkedIn account, he is now the founder and director of Splash Vodka, a ready-to-drink alcoholic mixer made in Victoria, Melbourne.
Meanwhile, Disljenkovic, in addition to her fitness account on Instagram, which boasts just over 3000 followers, works as an account manager at the Seisma Group, an Australian and New Zealand-owned IT company.
Unfortunately for fans of the hit show, they will have to wait until next year to see how things play out between the reunited former couple.
