In a revealing discussion, Ryan Donnelly, a cast member from Season 12 of Married at First Sight Australia, recently shared details about a contentious incident that was notably omitted from the show’s final cut. This drama unfolded after Ryan felt compelled to consider legal action against his wife, Jacqui Burfoot.
During an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Ryan recounted the scandal that briefly paused filming after a comment made during their honeymoon took an unexpected turn. While enjoying champagne together, he jokingly remarked about his biceps and their supposed “impregnating power.”
Following this comment, Ryan noted a sudden shift in Jacqui’s demeanor, describing how she began to “interrogate”him, even sharing her concerns with the other cast members and likening his joke to a “r*pe joke.”In light of her reaction, Ryan sought advice from a lawyer friend, who confirmed that he was legally protected.
“I nearly ripped off my mic and ran out that sliding door. It was the most surreal, horrifying moment of my life,”he stated.
Producer Reactions: Navigating the Fallout
Ryan elaborated on this evolving situation during his discussion with Daily Mail, indicating that it stemmed from their honeymoon when they were relaxing in their hotel room. Jacqui had jokingly stated that she didn’t need a pillow because she could rest her head on his bicep, prompting Ryan to make his initial jest. However, this seemingly innocent moment escalated quickly.
He vividly recalled how Jacqui’s reaction was startling; she “sat up in bed,”recoiling from him as if he were a criminal. Her barrage of questions left Ryan feeling cornered.
“She was grilling me — asking if I had ever gotten someone pregnant, if I had a criminal record. It was insane,”he added.
Despite his inclination to be forthcoming due to the filming environment, Ryan felt increasingly claustrophobic as Jacqui’s intensity heightened. The production team reassured him that this exchange would not make it to the air, yet the situation only escalated from there.
At the first commitment ceremony of the season, Jacqui reiterated their earlier conversation before the cast and experts, pressuring Ryan to repeat his joke. The response from the cast was one of laughter, which only sparked further outrage from Jacqui, leading her to vehemently defend women’s rights in light of her interpretation of the humor.
Ryan was left stunned by the implication behind her comments. As filming came to a standstill, he detailed how he nearly “ripped”his microphone off and fled the scene. He later revealed that one of the production team members described the incident as “horrific”and recommended he obtain legal advice.
“Not only is it bad for you, but it’s dangerous for the network,”he recalled.
In response to the escalating situation, Ryan reached out to his lawyer friend, who noted the details of what transpired and reassured him. He further revealed that the production team briefed the network about his plight, promising him that the footage in question would be cut from the broadcast and that discussions around the incident would be strictly off-limits.
“But I was traumatized. I couldn’t sleep for two to three nights,”he shared.
For those interested in catching the latest developments, tune in to the next episode of Married at First Sight Australia Season 12 on Channel 9, airing on Sunday, March 23, 2025.