Married At First Sight UK expert Paul C Brunson has been flooded with thousands of hateful messages after the latest episode aired on Thursday evening.
Love expert Paul, 47, was seen alongside Charlene Douglas and Mel Schilling grilling Matt Murray and Whitney Hughes after the pair revealed feelings for one another – despite being married to other people in the experiment.
The pair had opted to leave the experiment with those they had been matched with but expressed hope the experts would allow them to re-join as a couple.
Matt was married to Gemma Rose while Whitney was wed to Duka Cav. Both marriages were not going well – but the nail in the coffin was when Whitney and Matt's mutual attraction was revealed at an explosive dinner party.
In one scene, the experts are shown discussing if the pair had a future in the show after making the decision together.
In the chat psychologist Mel, 50, is seen telling the couple: "We have reviewed the science and you are a strong match on paper. But the way you wen about this we're not happy with, we're really disappointed in the way that happened.
"But we can see there is something real here, the science backs it up and we are willing to allow you back into the experiment as a new couple – not as a married couple but as a dating couple."
As the experts' decision was shown fans reacted with fury on social media – with many posting to slam the show and share their disappointment in the decision to allow the pair back into the experiment.
However, Paul has now shared a series of posts on social media to react to the messages he's received, revealing he had been flooded with 'thousands' of DMs.
Paul shared a screenshot of one message he had received on his Instagram story, which read: "Really disappointed in you and the show for letting a cheating couple back into the process. Shall stop watching the show now."
In reaction, the dating expert wrote below the screen grab: "I've received what could be thousands of these messages. There is no way for me to reply individually to all, so I'll do it publicly: Whenever a major decision is made on any TV show, it is made with input from many people (who are on and off camera).
"The decision to bring Matt & Whitney back was hotly debated and not unanimous. However, as experts and production, we are collectively a team, and if the majority wants to move in a direction, we all move. That's what a team does.
"If this decision has caused you to lose your desire to continue watching the series, I respect your decision."
Paul then added in a separate Instagram story post: "In full transparency... I've worked in TV for 12 years, and in one night have received more hate and threats than I've received in my entire career. I'm good, though. Sipping a glass of wine with Jill talking about it all.
"This single night has shown me, like no other, the influence of TV and the truthfulness of this quote: 'Always remember that the crowd that applauds your coronation is the same crowd that will applaud your beheading'."
Meanwhile fellow MAFS UK expert Charlene Douglas also shared a statement on her Instagram story, which read: "I support difference in opinion and acknowledge that not everyone was happy with last night's decision by the experts on Married at First Sight UK.
"What I will not respond to though, are negative or threatening messages. My team will simply delete them.
"Wishing you all a blessed day! Charlene," she penned followed by a red heart emoji.
