Married At First Sight 2025 started with an unprecedented blunder.
What was supposed to be a series about marrying complete strangers went off the rails when one of the brides and grooms found out they had already met – at the altar.
Daily Mail Australia can reveal that entrepreneur Jeff Gobbels and fitness influencer Rhi Disljenkovic, both based in Melbourne, were stunned when they unexpectedly reunited on the set of the reality show last Thursday.
According to Yahoo, the two met around this time last year after being introduced by Australian Survivor star and football presenter Abbey Holmes.
Sources told Daily Mail Australia the two “dated for a few months” before things ended and they went their separate ways.
As for the fact that they knew each other from MAFS, an insider said: ‘This was absolutely not part of the plan.’
Producers were as surprised as anyone when Jeff and Rhi recognized each other, but they’re hoping this unexpected twist could actually work to their advantage.
“Sometimes an old connection can be a solid foundation to build on. The experts are confident they can help Jeff and Rhi rekindle their relationship.”
Married At First Sight 2025 has kicked off with an unprecedented blunder. What was supposed to be a show about marrying complete strangers took a chaotic turn when a bride and groom realised they had already met – at the altar
Daily Mail Australia can reveal that business owner Jeff Gobbels and fitness influencer Rhi Disljenkovic, both based in Melbourne, were stunned when they unexpectedly reunited on the set of the reality show last Thursday
Photos from their past have surfaced on Instagram showing Jeff reacting to Rhi’s eye-catching selfies, hinting at their past connection.
Despite their split, the duo have “stayed in touch” and still attend the same group classes at Hurt Locker Richmond gym.
Their family and friends burst out laughing as they too acknowledged the funny blunder.
Sources have since told Daily Mail Australia that the pair dated for “several months” before things ended and they went their separate ways.
Despite the unlikely start, the newlyweds walked away hand in hand after exchanging their vows, in what turned out to be a pleasant surprise for the couple.
Rhi currently works as an IT Account Manager at Seisma Group. In the past he held similar management positions at other companies.
Meanwhile, Jeff is the third TV star to be cast for the 2025 episode of the dating show. Fans reacted negatively to the producers’ decision to cast big names.
He made his debut in the Australian soap opera Neighbours in 2017 as police officer Kurt Bridges and went on to appear in three episodes of the show.
He has also had smaller acting roles in the TV miniseries The Warriors, the 2018 film Undertow, and the 2019 Chinese drama The Whistleblower.
The Bachelor education star Sierah Swepstone and Perth fitness coach Paul Antoine, who previously appeared on The Real Love Boat, will also be part of the new season.
Despite the highly unlikely start, the newlyweds walked away hand in hand after exchanging vows, which seemed like a pleasant surprise for the couple
For the ceremony, Rhi looked every inch the blushing bride in a gorgeous strapless gown adorned with stunning embroidered details
She wore her brunette locks pinned up in a stylish updo, while her long veil fanned out behind her as she looked ready for her big moment.
She showed off her stunning features with a very glamorous makeup palette as she posed for her beautiful wedding day portraits
Jewelry elimination of The Bachelor went down in reality tv history as one of the best exits when she hilariously confessed that Jimmy didn’t like ‘tall, horny bogans’ after he sent her home.
Despite her genuine search for love on her previous reality show, many believe her casting on MAFS is a strategic move by the producers to attract viewers rather than focusing on authentic matchmaking.
Some fans have even threatened to boycott the 2025 series after high-profile reality stars including Jeff, Sierah and Paul were cast.
Fans of the show vented their frustration on social media, accusing producers of recycling reality TV personalities instead of giving ordinary Australians a chance to find love.
Rhi currently works as an IT Account Manager at Seisma Group, after previously holding similar management positions at other companies.
Jeff made his debut on the long-running Australian soap opera Neighbours in 2017 as police officer Kurt Bridges and went on to appear in three episodes of the show
Jeff is the third TV star to be cast for the 2025 dating show, which has drawn backlash from fans after producers cast big names including The Bachelor star Sierah Swepstone
Perth-based fitness coach Paul Antoine, who previously appeared on The Real Love Boat, will also be part of the upcoming series
“MAFS has lost its authenticity,” one disgruntled viewer wrote on Instagram.
“It’s about genuine people finding love, not more attention being paid to people who are already famous.”
Another fan commented: ‘I’m done with MAFS. Bringing in people like Paul and Sierah shows how desperate they are for ratings. I’m definitely boycotting this season.’
‘For the last time Australia wants to see real, genuine, ordinary people… not these types!! For God’s sake,’ wrote a third.
“Why can’t they find people who actually want to find a partner? Not someone who’s looking for social media fame. So when they see all these people who are just social climbers,” wondered another.
Married At First Sight 2025: Meet the Cast
Rhi Disljenkovic
IT Account Manager, Melbourne
Lauren Hall
CEO, Brisbane
Eliot Donovan
Brisbane
Paul Antonius
FIFO Wellness Coach, Perth
Morena-farina
DJ, Melbourne
Sierah Swepstone
Technical Analyst, Melbourne
Dave Hand
Caulker Business Owner, Melbourne
Jeff Gobbels
Business Owner, Melbourne
Jake Liege
Wellbeing Coordinator, Perth
Do you have a tip about MAFS 2025? Send an email to ali.daher@mailonline.com
