Former Married At First Sight relationship expert Dr. Trisha Stratford has died, a heartbroken former co-star has revealed.
The clinical neuropsychotherapist was 72 years old when she died.
John Aiken, who currently appears as a relationship coach on MAFS, took to social media to spread the news, posting: “I am heartbroken and devastated that my friend and dear colleague Trisha has passed away.”
“We spent an amazing seven seasons of MAFS together. She loved everything New Zealand had to offer, relationships, the All Blacks, the Black Caps, French wine and traveling the world. I’ll miss you, Tish.
Former “Married At First Sight” relationship expert Dr. Trisha Stratford (pictured) has died aged 72
“Thank you for all the memories.”
Nine also said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened by the death of Dr. Trisha Stratford.”
“Our sincerest condolences and heartfelt sympathies go out to her family and those closest to her during this difficult time.”
Trisha joined the Nine show in its first season in 2015, starring alongside John Aiken and former pundit Sabina Read.
John Aiken (left, with Trisha), who currently appears as a relationship coach on MAFS, took to social media to spread the news, posting: “I am heartbroken and devastated that my friend and dear colleague Trisha has passed away.”
She announced her exit from the franchise in 2020.
“After seven seasons of Married At First Sight, I have decided to step away from the television series and focus on my writing, research and neuropsychotherapy,” she said in a statement at the time.
“I was involved in the challenge of bringing this social experiment to television from the beginning.”
Trisha was part of MAFS since its inception before announcing her departure from the Channel Nine franchise in 2020
“The program provides a platform for an ongoing conversation about relationships and I wish the program continued success and hope future participants find eternal love.”
In response to her resignation from the position, a statement from the MAFS team read: “Our full thanks go to Trisha for the exceptional contribution she has made to the success of #MAFS!”
At the time, a production insider told Chron Australia that Trisha was particularly missing during the second and third phases of season eight’s auditions.
Trisha is pictured on the show with former relationship experts Mel Schilling (left) and John Aiken (right).
Instead, attendees were introduced to Trisha’s successor, Puerto Rican sex therapist Alessandra Rampolla.
In March 2021, former contestant Jessika Power, who starred in season six, told the Unpopular podcast that Trisha often felt uncomfortable during filming.
“She was really sick when we were filming,” Jessika claimed.
In March 2021, former contestant Jessika Power, who starred in season six, told the Unpopular podcast that Trisha often felt uncomfortable during filming
“There were times when we had to stop filming and she just needed to take a moment or drink some, I don’t know, Panadol or something.” “She was pretty sick, she didn’t really say much,” added her.
In early 2021, Trisha also came back with a scathing attack on the controversial reality series, claiming that it made her feel “sick.”
“In the end, I couldn’t compromise my professional and personal standards because there were contestants on the show who I felt shouldn’t have been there,” she told Woman’s Day New Zealand.
In early 2021, Trisha also came back with a scathing attack on the controversial reality series, claiming that it made her feel “sick.”
“If someone gets through the critical selection process and we say we don’t want them on the show because they’re pretty fragile, they’re not going to be okay after the show,” she said.
The New Zealand-based therapist went on to say that what the participants are going through is “psychologically a tough job” and compared it to experiencing “conflict in war zones”.
She added that the show was different from the “observational documentary” that she said she agreed to take part in.
“It was blown out of proportion, a bit like MasterChef, into what we now know as MAFS.” The contestants we got in the sixth and seventh seasons were so outrageous and outside the norm that it wasn’t what I was for I registered.
“I got sick at a few dinner parties. “I felt deep down that I didn’t want to watch this on TV at home,” Trish said.
Stratford has been replaced on the show by clinical sex therapist Alessandra Rampolla, who is shaking up the current season of the show with fast-paced challenges and exercises.
Trisha has been replaced by Puerto Rican sex therapist Alessandra Rampolla (pictured), who is shaking up the current season of the show with fast-paced challenges and exercises