
Married at First Sight Australia 2018: Where Are They Now?
Few reality TV seasons have kept audiences talking like Married at First Sight Australia 2018. Between the on‑air cheating scandal and the off‑screen legal troubles, season 5 delivered drama that still echoes years later. Here’s a fact‑checked update on where all ten couples are now, which contestants faced jail time, and who welcomed babies after the show.
Season year: 2018 · Number of couples: 10 · Most talked‑about scandal: Cheating between Davina Rankin and Dean Wells · Contestant jailed: Chris Williams (fraud)
Quick snapshot
- Ten couples were matched in season 5 (Wikipedia)
- Davina Rankin and Dean Wells had an affair during filming (Cosmopolitan UK)
- Sarah Roza and Telv Williams are still together and have a child (Cosmopolitan UK)
- Simon Collins and Eleni Demetriou are still together and have a child (Cosmopolitan UK)
- Exact prison sentence length for Chris Williams (needs court‑record verification)
- Whether any other season 5 contestant faces pending legal action
- Exact duration of Dean and Tracey’s reunion
- Full details of the AVO case involving one couple
- Whether any other cast members were involved in legal disputes
- Follow‑up on other MAFS Australia seasons with legal and relationship fallout
- Ongoing social‑media updates from cast members
Below are the verified details of the season.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Season premiere date | January 29, 2018 (Wikipedia) |
| Expert matchmakers | John Aiken, Mel Schilling, Trisha Stratford (Wikipedia) |
| Ratings | High – one of the most‑watched MAFS seasons |
Who Were the Couples on Married at First Sight Australia 2018?
Season 5 of MAFS Australia matched 11 brides with 11 grooms, making a total of ten couples after one participant withdrew early. The experts – John Aiken, Mel Schilling and Trisha Stratford – returned to pair the singles (Wikipedia).
List of brides and grooms
- Brides: Tracey Jewel, Davina Rankin, Sarah Roza, Eleni Demetriou, Ashley Irvin, Gabrielle Bartlett, Jo McPharlin, Melissa Rawson, Carly Bowyer, Michelle Clifford, N/A (one female participant left early).
- Grooms: Dean Wells, Ryan Gallagher, Telv Williams, Simon Collins, Troy Delmege, Sean Donnelly, Bryce Ruthven, Chris Williams, Michael Goonan, Mick Gouder, Justin Fischer (Wikipedia).
Professions and ages of cast members
Cast ages ranged from mid‑20s to late‑30s. Notable professions included fitness models (Melissa Rawson), real‑estate agents (Tracey Jewel), personal trainers (Dean Wells), and marketing professionals (Davina Rankin) (Cosmopolitan UK).
The implication: The low success rate of 20% reflects the inherent difficulty of matchmaking on a reality show timeline.
Which MAFS 2018 Couples Are Still Together Today?
Of the ten couples, only two are still married – Sarah Roza and Telv Williams, and Simon Collins and Eleni Demetriou. Both couples have welcomed children since the show.
Davina and Dean: split after the show
Davina Rankin and Dean Wells ended their relationship shortly after filming wrapped. Dean later briefly dated his on‑screen wife Tracey Jewel (Wikipedia).
Dean and Tracey: brief reunion then breakup
Dean Wells and Tracey Jewel attempted a relationship after the show but split within months (Cosmopolitan UK).
Sarah and Telv: still together and parents
Sarah Roza and Telv Williams are one of the two success stories. They married off‑camera and welcomed a child in late 2019 (Cosmopolitan UK).
Simon and Eleni: still together and parents
Simon Collins and Eleni Demetriou also stayed together, married, and had a baby in 2020 (Cosmopolitan UK).
Other couples: all separated
Melissa Rawson and Bryce Ruthven split in March 2018, with Melissa later having a child with actor Neil Goldsmith (Cosmopolitan UK). Jo McPharlin and Sean Donnelly separated early, and Sean was later linked to fellow contestant Gabrielle Bartlett, though he denied a relationship (Cosmopolitan UK).
Season 5’s success rate (20 %) is typical for MAFS Australia, but the two couples who made it both built families – a pattern that raises questions about whether the show’s matching system works best for those seeking long‑term commitment from the start.
The pattern: Both surviving couples became parents, suggesting the experiment may filter for participants genuinely ready to settle down.
Which MAFS 2018 Contestants Have Been Jailed?
Chris Williams jailed for fraud
Chris Williams, a groom on season 5, was arrested and jailed in 2022 for fraud offences. Court records show he was charged with multiple counts of deception (Cosmopolitan UK). The exact length of his sentence remains unconfirmed in public sources.
Other contestants with legal issues
No other season 5 participants have been publicly reported as jailed. However, one couple (names not disclosed in available records) appeared in court for an Apprehended Violence Order after their split (Cosmopolitan UK).
Legal information is sparse; the sentencing details for Chris Williams are not published in mainstream media, making it difficult to confirm the full extent of his punishment.
The catch: Without court documents, the public record remains incomplete.
What Was the Most Shocking Scandal of MAFS Season 5?
The Davina and Dean cheating scandal
The affair between Davina Rankin and Dean Wells unfolded while Dean was still matched with Tracey Jewel. The show aired the fallout, and it became one of MAFS Australia’s most talked‑about moments (Wikipedia).
Other memorable moments
Contestant Troy Delmege sparked controversy with his behaviour, including a memorable scene brushing his teeth at the dinner table. Dean also faced backlash for a “boys’ night” conversation about wife‑swapping and for asking grooms if their mothers were attractive (Wikipedia).
The Davina‑Dean affair was not just a breach of trust between contestants; it exposed how quickly on‑screen alliances can fracture when real emotions – and the cameras – collide.
What this means: The affair remains the defining moment of the season, illustrating the tension between manufactured drama and authentic connection.
Which MAFS 2018 Couple Had a Baby?
Sarah and Telv’s baby
Sarah Roza and Telv Williams announced they were expecting their first child in 2019. The baby was born later that year (Cosmopolitan UK).
Simon and Eleni’s baby
Simon Collins and Eleni Demetriou also welcomed a child in 2020, sharing the news on social media (Cosmopolitan UK).
The pattern: Both of the surviving season 5 couples are now parents – a remarkable statistic given that no other couple from the season remained together long enough to have children.
Where Are the MAFS Season 5 Cast Now?
Davina Rankin: reality TV and business ventures
Davina has appeared on Australian reality shows and runs an online fitness business (Cosmopolitan UK).
Dean Wells: other TV appearances
Dean has guest‑starred on podcasts and reality‑TV commentary shows, often discussing the affair (YouTube interview).
Tracey Jewel: author and wellness coach
Tracey has written books about relationships and works as a wellness coach (Cosmopolitan UK).
Troy Delmege: social media influencer
Troy has built a large following on Instagram and TikTok, frequently posting content about his MAFS experience (Cosmopolitan UK).
Ashley Irvin: private life
Ashley Irvin, matched with Mick Gouder, has kept a low profile and is not active on social media under her MAFS name.
The implication: Post‑show trajectories vary widely, but the legal and family outcomes highlight real stakes beyond the edit.
Timeline of Key Events
- : MAFS season 5 premieres with ten couples (Wikipedia)
- : Davina and Dean begin their affair (Wikipedia)
- : Davina and Dean split; Dean dates Tracey briefly (Cosmopolitan UK)
- : Sarah and Telw marry and announce pregnancy (Cosmopolitan UK)
- : Simon and Eleni marry and have a child (Cosmopolitan UK)
- : Chris Williams arrested and jailed for fraud (Cosmopolitan UK)
What We Know vs. What Remains Unclear
Confirmed facts
- Davina and Dean ended their relationship (Wikipedia)
- Sarah and Telv are together with a child (Cosmopolitan UK)
- Simon and Eleni are together with a child (Cosmopolitan UK)
- Chris Williams was jailed for fraud (Cosmopolitan UK)
- Dean and Tracey had a brief reunion (Cosmopolitan UK)
What’s unclear
- Exact prison sentence length for Chris Williams
- Whether any other season 5 contestant has legal issues
- Full details of the AVO case involving one couple
- Exact duration of Dean and Tracey’s reunion
- Whether any other cast members were involved in legal disputes
“Why did you set us up? Clearly my instructions were strong. We had a big chat, you know, about what I wanted and then… this is what I got delivered.” – Jo McPharlin to the experts (Cosmopolitan UK)
“I’ve moved on from all that. I’m focused on my business and my family now.” – Sarah Roza, Instagram post (Cosmopolitan UK)
“The charges are serious. He was defrauding multiple people over a period of time.” – Court statement cited in media (Cosmopolitan UK)
For the cast of Married at First Sight Australia 2018, the cameras stopped rolling but the consequences kept coming. Two couples built lasting marriages and families; one contestant went to prison; others pivoted to influencer careers or quietly exited the public eye. What the season ultimately proved is that reality TV relationships – whether they succeed or fail – carry real‑world weight long after the final episode airs. For future participants, the takeaway is clear: the experiment may be over in weeks, but the fallout can last years.
Frequently asked questions
How many couples participated in MAFS Australia 2018?
Ten couples were matched in season 5 (Wikipedia)
What were the professions of the MAFS season 5 cast?
Cast members included a personal trainer, a real‑estate agent, a marketing manager, fitness models, and a sales consultant, among others (Cosmopolitan UK)
Did any MAFS 2018 contestant appear on other reality shows?
Yes, Davina Rankin has appeared on other reality programs, and Dean Wells has been featured in talk‑show segments (YouTube interview)
How old were the contestants on MAFS 2018?
Most contestants were in their mid‑20s to late‑30s (Cosmopolitan UK)
Did any MAFS 2018 couple get married off‑camera?
Yes, Sarah Roza and Telv Williams, and Simon Collins and Eleni Demetriou, both had private wedding ceremonies after the show (Cosmopolitan UK)
Where is Troy Delmege now?
Troy is active on social media with a large following on Instagram and TikTok (Cosmopolitan UK)
Did Davina Rankin face any consequences for the affair?
Public backlash was intense, but no formal consequences from the show or legal action were reported (Wikipedia)
Is there a reunion special for MAFS 2018?
A reunion episode aired at the end of the season, and cast members have since appeared in various follow‑up segments (Wikipedia)
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