Former Married At First Sight star Sam Ball has spoken about his time on the controversial show and dropped a series of behind-the-scenes bombshells.
In a series of videos posted to Instagram Stories, the 28-year-old Army recruit described how producers allegedly ‘manipulate’ participants and set up scenarios.
He also spoke about the infamous ‘fat-shaming’ incident on his MAFS wedding day, saying he had never judged ex-‘wife’ Elizabeth Sobinoff because of her weight.
Speaking out: Former Married At First Sight star Sam Ball has spoken about his time on the controversial show and dropped a series of behind-the-scenes bombshells
Sam went on to insist he had never slept with anyone on the show, despite making headlines in 2019 for his on-screen ‘affair’ with co-star Ines Basic.
‘I was in a contract for a long time so kept my mouth shut. Hope you guys in the UK are enjoying the show, because I’m about to ruin it for you,’ Sam began.
He then claimed the producers, not the experts, are the ones who pick the couples.
Claims: In a series of videos posted to Instagram Stories, the 28-year-old Army recruit described how producers allegedly ‘manipulate’ participants and set up scenarios
Clarification: Sam went on to insist he’d never slept with anyone on the show, despite making headlines in 2019 for his on-screen ‘affair’ with co-star Ines Basic (pictured)
He claimed that after the weddings, producers ask you about your new ‘spouse’ and then manipulate your responses.
‘Producers ask you and hit you up about your new partner,’ he said.
‘They go off track, manipulate you and tell you what to say and ask questions until you answer it they want you to answer it… I thought Lizzie was a lovely girl, I was trying to give her positive compliments until they told me to say what was said, so that’s what happened,’ he added of the ‘fat-shaming’ incident.
‘Lizzie got out of the f**king limo and says, “Oh, my God, look how chunky tubby is.” She fat-shamed me and I said she’s bigger than the girl I usually dated, meaning height and stuff like that.’
Stitched up: Sam claimed that after the weddings, producers ask you about your new ‘spouse’ and then manipulate your responses. Pictured with ex-‘wife’ Elizabeth Sobinoff
Sam went on to suggest that producers ‘fat-shamed’ Elizabeth in front of him.
‘I didn’t want to fat-shame her at all, that’s not what my intentions were. They were the ones who said, “Sam, she’s a big girl mate, what are you doing?!” That’s messed up, they shouldn’t do it, it’s all bulls**t,’ he said.
He also spoke about his ‘affair’ with Ines and said he was ‘asked’ to do it – and he did so because he has done ‘acting’ in the past.
‘I didn’t sleep with anyone on the show, mark my words,’ Sam insisted.
‘Bulls**t’: Sam went on to suggest that producers ‘fat-shamed’ Elizabeth in front of him
He sensationally claimed the show’s ‘relationship experts’ are actually actors.
‘They don’t talk to you, they’re getting told things through an earpiece. They’re just actors,’ he said.
Sam said that when he left to go to a funeral in New Zealand, producers were threatening ‘to sue him for leaving’.
‘I knew Lizzie for 10 minutes, the funeral was the priority,’ he said.
He also spoke about how he didn’t turn up for the finale because he had a girlfriend at the time who was ‘going crazy’ about the situation.
Dishing the details: He also spoke about how he didn’t turn up for the finale because he had a girlfriend at the time who was ‘going crazy’ about the situation
In March last year, Lizzie admitted to NW Magazine that she still felt traumatised by her ‘wedding’ to Sam.
‘I felt like I had a form of PTSD after last year’s marriage,’ she said.
‘Because last year I was having things said to my face and other actions were happening behind my back that I was completely unaware of, so this time around my walls were sky-high.’
Lizzie failed to find love with Sam, who came under fire for fat-shaming her on their wedding day.
Fans were outraged when he remarked that he had never ‘dated girls as big’ as Elizabeth before.
‘I’ve never really dated girls as big as Elizabeth to be honest. It’s obviously a topic that’s troubled her in the past,’ he said.
Struggles: In March last year, Lizzie admitted to NW Magazine that she felt traumatised by her ‘wedding’ to Sam. Lizzie went on to find love with Seb Guilhaus (right) on the show last year, but the pair have since split
Sam also sparked outrage after revealing his plans to help Elizabeth lose weight after their TV nuptials.
‘She’s got a beautiful face… Maybe I’ll get her running in the mornings… but she’ll be right. We’ll get her going,’ he said.
Lizzie went on to find love with Seb Guilhaus on the show last year, but the pair have since split.
Meanwhile, Sam told Daily Mail Australia this week that producers were so desperate for him to return to the upcoming reunion special that they offered him quite a sizable pay cheque.
Controversial: Sam also sparked outrage after revealing his plans to help Elizabeth lose weight after their TV nuptials. ‘She’s got a beautiful face… Maybe I’ll get her running in the mornings… but she’ll be right. We’ll get her going,’ he said
‘They begged me to do the reunion,’ Sam said.
It’s understood Sam was made three substantial offers to star in the two-part special, but was forced to turn them down due to prior commitments.
While he refused to disclose the final offer, Sam is believed to have been offered a whopping $50,000 for two days of filming but rejected it to prior commitments.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Nine for comment, in relation to this article.
Turning it down: Meanwhile, Sam told Daily Mail Australia this week that producers were so desperate for him to return to the upcoming reunion special that they offered him quite a sizable pay cheque