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<\/p>\nMarried At First Sight UK star JJ Slater has leapt to the defence of his new beau, Ella Morgan Clarke, after she was subjected to vile transphobic abuse. <\/p>\n
Fashion brand owner, JJ joined the show as a latecomer as he tied the knot with Bianca Petronzi. The relationship proved disastrous, however, with the 30-year old clearly not keen on his bride from the offset, who he constantly declared as "not my usual type". <\/p>\n
Ella, meanwhile, has been a major part of the current series from day one, but her marriage to Nathaniel Valentino soon descended into chaos. After a promising start to their relationship, the romance soured on their honeymoon after Ella revealed she had previously worked as a stripper. <\/p>\n
READ MORE:<\/b>E4 Married at First Sight UK couple come to blows as relationship hit with 'big problem'<\/b><\/p>\n
READ MORE: E4 Married at First Sight UK groom looks different with longer hair in throwback snaps<\/b><\/p>\n
Although both couples chose to stay on the E4 show initially in a bid to work on their differences, their relationships failed to get off the ground. There was soon a clear chemistry between JJ and Ella, however, with the pair meeting in secret to discuss their feelings towards each other whilst on a break from their respective spouses. <\/p>\n
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On Wednesday as the other couples enjoyed some time away at the couples' retreat, Ella and JJ returned as a new couple themselves \u2013 leaving the rest of the cast stunned. <\/p>\n
Away from the pre-recorded series, Ella revealed earlier this month that she has been forced to take a break from social media following a spate of online attacks over her identity. It prompted JJ to speak out last on a live TikTok stream with co-star Luke Worley, after he shut down several vitriolic comments aimed at Ella.<\/p>\n
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Responding to one comment, JJ declared: "Am I bi now? No. I see Ella as a girl. I don\u2019t know how many times I have to say that. The thing is everyone in the experiment saw Ella as a woman and a girl because that\u2019s what she is."<\/p>\n
Luke agreed: "Ella to me is a woman. I look at trans people totally different now. I had to have this conversation with Ella because I needed to be educated as well. Speak to your friends about it in your group chat or privately not on a comment or a post. Speak about it privately if you want to have a rant. I think people forget. They think we\u2019re just characters. We aren\u2019t."<\/p>\n
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The return of JJ and Ella was followed by a backlash from viewers on social media, who demanded a rule change preventing brides and grooms from reappearing on the show having swapped partners. "The producers\/experts are in the wrong by letting Ella and JJ return as a new couple. For starters, they broke the rules of the experiment so that in itself should be enough to leave. Secondly, the producers are condemning cheating and normalising it. #MAFSUK," blasted one fan.<\/p>\n
Another penned: "Should rename this mess of a show married at 1st ,2nd,3rd sight." And a third added: "This is where I stop watching #MAFSUK Ella and JJ coming back into the experiment has ruined it for me now! Can't stand Ella's selfish attitude. I know it\u2019s entertainment but partner swappers shouldn\u2019t be able to come back. Stop normalising cheating."<\/p>\n
MAFS UK airs Monday to Thursday on E4 at 9pm. <\/b><\/p>\n
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