Married At First Sight’s Bryce Ruthven was engaged before saying ‘I do’ to a complete stranger

‘I did the right thing marrying a stranger’: Married At First Sight 2021 groom Bryce Ruthven reveals he has no regrets breaking off engagement to ex-fiancé six months before show

He’s set to wed a complete stranger on season eight of Married At First Sight. 

But less than a year before saying ‘I do’ in Nine’s faux TV wedding, Bryce Ruthven was engaged to another woman.

The 31-year-old told TV Week on Monday he had been with his ex-fiancé for more than five years, but split when he realised they were on different pages.  

‘I did the right thing marrying a stranger’: Married At First Sight 2021 groom Bryce Ruthven  (pictured) has revealed that he has no regrets breaking off engagement to another woman before applying for the controversial dating show

‘Towards the end of it, I was keen on locking in a wedding date, talking about having kids, but we just weren’t on the same page,’ the radio host divulged. 

Bryce added that he signed up for the show to enlist the help of the relationship experts after feeling his judgement was ‘off a little’.

‘I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a part of me thinking [about how he could have been marrying someone his ex],’ he said.

‘It actually reassured me that I was very comfortable with the decision I made six months ago [to call off the engagement] and was doing the right thing marrying a complete stranger.’

'We just weren't on the same page': The radio announcer said while he was with his ex-fiancé for more than five years, they split when he realised they had different life plans and goals

‘We just weren’t on the same page’: The radio announcer said while he was with his ex-fiancé for more than five years, they split when he realised they had different life plans and goals

Bryce, who will be one of 18 unlucky-in-love contestants on the eighth season of the dating series, is expected to be tying the knot with HR person Melissa Rawson, 31.  

While Channel Nine has not confirmed their on-screen partnership, paparazzi photos during filming in 2020 appear to have confirmed who will be matched.

Other contestants including singer Booka Nile and electrician Brett Helling – both 31 – and door-to-door sales representative Belinda Vickers, 29, and personal trainer Patrick Dyer, 27, are also anticipated to be tying the knot.

Work/life balance: Melissa, (left) works as a workplace trainer, and she's prioritized her career over her personal life for too long. She's getting married to Bryce, both 31, (right) a radio presenter who's ready to find love again

Work/life balance: Melissa, (left) works as a workplace trainer, and she's prioritized her career over her personal life for too long. She's getting married to Bryce, both 31, (right) a radio presenter who's ready to find love again

Work/life balance: Melissa, (left) works as a workplace trainer, and she’s prioritized her career over her personal life for too long. She’s getting married to Bryce, both 31, (right) a radio presenter who’s ready to find love again

Taking a stand: Ahead of the show premiering at 7.30pm on Channel Nine on Monday, the network released a 'message of love' to remind viewers online trolling would not be tolerated

Taking a stand: Ahead of the show premiering at 7.30pm on Channel Nine on Monday, the network released a ‘message of love’ to remind viewers online trolling would not be tolerated

Ahead of the show premiering at 7.30pm on Channel Nine on Monday, the network released a ‘message of love’ to remind viewers online trolling would not be tolerated.

In a post to the official Married At First Sight Instagram, it noted abusive comments about the new brides and grooms would result in users being blocked. 

‘Comments on the official MAFS social accounts are moderated, and any that are offensive or personally attack participants or fellow MAFS viewers will not be tolerated,’ the statement read.   

Tune in: The new season of Married At First Sight premieres in Australia on Monday, 7.30pm on Channel Nine

Tune in: The new season of Married At First Sight premieres in Australia on Monday, 7.30pm on Channel Nine