A Married at First Sight star says people "shouldn't bother with reality TV" and should "just download Tinder". Jess Potter, 31, says she would have rather been at work than appear on the hit E4 show and has vowed to never watch a reality show ever again.
Jess feels she was "unfairly portrayed" on series where she married 31-year-old performer Pjay Finch. Having taken an instant dislike to his career as a stripper, Jess appeared to storm out of her own wedding day. Jess has since found true love and has already picked out an engagement ring - even though her boyfriend is yet to propose.
Dental hygienist Jess, from Cambridge, said: "I feel like the production team didn't take anyone's feelings into account - they put it all as entertainment. We were under the impression they were going to find us the love of our life, but then they put me with someone who is completely the opposite of what I asked for. It is unfair all in the name of entertainment. I haven't watched the Australian one - it is all fake."
While the couple split amicably early on in the experiment, Jess says they had remained "good friends" - but this was no longer the case.
She said: "You are put in situations, told who to sit next to and told what to discuss. You're not told what to say, but are told what to talk about and who with.
"My experience was disappointing, as I had been single for five years going in. I applied for the show to find love. After speaking to the people who were putting me on the show they said they would find us someone, but they f*cked me over."
Jess has said she can't watch reality TV at all anymore and has not been tuning into the latest Australian series of Married at First Sight.
She said: "I wouldn't bother watching it. I can't watch any reality TV at all. Let's be honest, all reality TV is b*llshit. It's all for entertainment. Don't bother wasting your time, get yourself on Tinder - I would rather have been at work."
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Jess said the only aspect she did enjoy was when the cameras stopped rolling and she was able to relax with her fellow contestants.
She said: "I still am in touch with Jenna, April and Lara. I did get some good friends from the show and we are trying to meet up at some point. The only bit I enjoyed about the show was when me and Jenna were getting drunk and singing karaoke when the cameras stopped rolling."
Since leaving the show Jess has found love with 28-year-old gas engineer TJ O’Reilly and even has her engagement ring picked out.
She said: "People say I should have stayed on the show for longer, but everything happens for a reason. I wouldn't have met him if I stayed on, as soon as I got into my car on the way home, I downloaded Tinder and found him.
"Real marriage is on the cards and I want kids with him, because when you know, you know. And the best part is, I’m the only one who gets to see him naked.”
A Channel 4 Spokesperson said: "Contributor care and wellbeing is of paramount importance and we work closely with our production partners to ensure robust contributor care protocols are in place and that appropriate support is available to contributors before, during and well after broadcast, including access to an independent psychologist."
