One of the best things about reality dating show — like, let's just say, MAFS UK — is when things don't go entirely to plan. Sure, it's fun to see the experts pick out the perfect couple, who fly through the stages of their relationship and nail every group therapy session. But it's also kind of a guilty pleasure to see couples who aren't quite so compatible. Even better? When two people from different couples start to have feelings for each other.
And apparently, that's exactly what has happened with two cast members from way back in the 2023 season of the show. In last night's reunion, which saw couples from both 2023 and 2024 MAFS UK reuniting, viewers were thrilled to learn that Shona and Matt, two cast members who were originally paired with other people, are still an item. Queue the screeches of “eek”, “cute”, “love is real”!
Obviously, we need to know absolutely everything about this unexpected couple — so, let's dive in.
Shona and Matt's journeys in MAFS UK 2023
Cast your mind back to 2023. All we could talk about was Ariana Debose's incredible BAFTAs opener, Gwyneth Paltrow's ski trial and, of course, the latest season of MAFS UK. It was the season that featured couples like Tasha and Paul, Peggy and Georges (yes, with an ‘S’) and Laura-from-Chelsea and Arthur. You may also remember two other couples: Matt and Adrienne, and Shona and Brad.
A quick recap: Matt and Adrienne were pretty cute! The pair really liked each other. They even both said yes at the final altar. However, Adrienne always felt herself pulling away, and at the season reunion, they revealed that they had mutually decided to call it quits.
Meanwhile, MAFS UK's Shona and Brad had a trickier journey. Although they seemed to hit it off when they met at the altar, red flags soon began cropping up in their relationship. Shona later said that she came to realise that Brad have been “love bombing” her.
Eventually, producers decided that the show wasn't working for the couple.
Channel 4 explained that the “environment was not working for the couple and it was the right time to leave the experiment.”
Expert Paul told the couple of the decision, saying, "What I'm seeing happen is you have devolved, what it sounds like is there are moments when the desire is there but there are a lot of moments, where you are saying Shona, that you feel belittled, to a point where this is not a healthy relationship, and I know you know this, but this is not working, it's just not."
After their respective times on the show, rumours did began to swirl about a potential spark between Matt and Shona. Back in October 2023, a source even told The Sun that the pair had been seen in a Starbucks together.
In December 2023, the pair confirmed their relationship to OK! Magazine. “We definitely want to get married!” Matt said at the time.
Shona added, “I’m 32 next year, so we want to have children in the next few years.”
Shona and Matt reveal their relationship is still going strong in the MAFS UK 2025 reunion
As of the last MAFS UK reunion, Shona and Matt are still an item. In fact, not only did the pair show up to the latest MAFS reunion together, they even got (semi) engaged (whatever that means).
During the reunion, Matt gave Shona a promise ring. “I want to show you how committed I am with this ring, and to promise you an amazing future with lots of fun, travelling and making memories,” he said during his emotional speech.
Shona later showed off the ring in an Instagram post, writing, “I said yes!!! hehe I’m semi engaged to @mattpilmoor. I love my promise ring it was such a cute & thoughtful way to end our journey on MAFS. I knew he was planning something but I wasn’t sure what it was. I’m so in my own world one of the producers took my ring off me to get my ring size and I didn’t clock she distracted me so well.”
She went on: “I still can’t believe how it all worked out & after it all, it was Matty. From dark energy to pure warmth & light never stop believing in real love! Matty you are my forever & I can’t wait to marry you one day!”
Shona also posted another tribute to Matt on Instagram after the reunion.
“This truly feels like a full-circle moment,” she wrote. “Here we are at our third MAFS reunion — each reunion feels like a special chapter in our story. The first was where we met, the second where we walked in as boyfriend + girlfriend, and now this third one, where you planned the most beautiful surprise for me. I was wondering what all the nervous energy was about.”
