“You took advantage of my vulnerability!” Ex-MAFS UK star Gemma Rose Barnes credited SLAMS producers for letting her appear on the show while she battled an alcohol addiction
Former Married At First Sight UK contestant Gemma Rose Barnes has criticized producers for allowing her to appear on the show last year while she was battling an alcohol addiction.
The former hairstylist, 31, claimed bosses at the E4 program “exploited her vulnerability” while insisting she told them about her three-year alcohol battle before signing on.
Gemma claimed they used their troubled childhood to entertain viewers and revealed the experience compounded her drinking problems.
She told The Sun of the pre-show vetting process: “I had the counseling, we talked about my childhood, which was a very negative childhood, and talked about the things that led up to my adult life.
“I was very proud to tell the counselor that I put her in a box and it was like it was someone else’s story and she said, ‘You’re suffering from trauma.’
Furious: Former UK contestant of Married At First Sight Gemma Rose Barnes has criticized producers for allowing her to appear on the show while she battles an alcohol addiction
“I said, ‘Do you think I should go on a TV show? They say, “Yes, you will be fine. We’ll take care of you.”
Gemma, who shares sons Ozzy, 11, and Cash, five, with a previous partner, went on to claim the production company set her up with calisthenics athlete Matt Murray, 32, because they knew they wouldn’t get along.
But she has since enrolled in a 12-step program and is on the road to recovery after Covid lockdowns caused her to spiral out of control, drinking Martini Astis at 11am.
A Channel 4 spokesperson told The Sun: “All individuals participating in MAFS UK have been deemed fit to participate by an independent clinical psychologist and once cast have been given all contributors have an opportunity to participate at any stage of the process to stay or to leave.
“The care and wellbeing of the cast members is of the utmost importance and appropriate support will be available to the cast members before, during and after the broadcast.
“During filming, alcohol consumption is at the discretion of the individual but will be monitored and limited by the production team.
“All episodes of MAFS UK broadcast are a fair and accurate representation of the events that took place.
“While not every contributor in the MAFS process finds lasting love, many have had a positive and enriching experience, and the UK franchise has brought together couples who remain in committed relationships and have started families.”
Web has reached out to Channel 4 for comment.
Furious: The former hairstylist, 31, claimed bosses “exploited her vulnerability” while insisting she had told them about her drinking battle before signing on (pictured on the E4 show)
No game! Gemma went on to claim the production company set her up with calisthenics athlete Matt Murray, 32, because they knew they wouldn’t get along
Oh no! Gemma claimed they used their troubled childhood to entertain viewers and revealed the experience compounded her drinking problems