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Married At First Sight's Dr Trisha Stratford replaced as an expert
Anyone who has watched Married At First Sight in recent years knows that when it comes to successful matches, the show's 'experts' have very little to show.
And it seems as though producers are hoping to shake things up by introducing fans to a new face to the expert panel.
Dr Trisha Stratford confirmed she will be leaving the show and said in a statement to 9Entertainment: "After seven seasons of Married At First Sight I have decided to step back from the television series to focus on my writing, research and neuropsychotherapy."
"I've been involved right from the beginning in the challenge of bringing this social experiment to television. The program provides a platform for an ongoing conversation on relationships and I wish the program continued success and hope future participants find everlasting love."
Nine thanked Trisha for the role she played on the show, "We want to thank Trisha for the extraordinary contribution she has made to the success of Married At First Sight.
"She showed great courage joining this very unconventional social experiment in its first short series and helped transform it into the hugely successful franchise it is today. We wish her all the best as she re-directs her energies back into her professional career."
They added that a full line-up of MAFS experts will be announced soon.
Daily Mail reports Trisha has been replaced for the latest season of the show by a sex therapist.
An insider reported that participants were introduced to an "American female sex therapist" and, for the first time, the relationship experts were forced to meet them via Zoom due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Fans have previously expressed their disappointment and outrage over the role Trisha and fellow experts John Aiken and Mel Schilling played during this year's season.
One Twitter user wrote: "I honestly can’t take the 'experts' seriously."
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Another added: "Relationships would surely have a better chance of working without these 'experts'."
"The #MAFSAU experts are batting at about 1% this year! Time for some new blood!” a fan of the show said.
"So 50 couples over 7 seasons and 3 are still together #MAFSAU? That’s 6% success, 94% failure. I think the experiment has FAILED. Sack the “experts” & admit it’s a trashy car crash with no scientific merit," another said.
New Idea reported earlier this year that the experts have "minimum input into the casting process and are fed lines by producers", therefore, they're easily replaceable.
A source told the publication: "It could be time for some fresh faces... MAFS viewers won't care too much if John, Trish and Mel don't return. It won't affect ratings."
"Their involvement in the show is not huge and [it] is produced within an inch of its life."
"They meet with producers to discuss their line of attack and the different scenarios to deliver the headlines, the promos and controversy, which ultimately turns into ratings," they added.
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