Married At First Sight UK has slammed Nathanial Valentino for his treatment of transgender bride Ella Morgan in Tuesday night’s episode.
The couple’s relationship hit a low point when they agreed to a break after Nathanial caught Ella flirting with JJ and she felt like Nathanial didn’t really like her.
Nathanial, 36, who identifies as pansexual, called Ella, 29, for a chat where he told her he wanted them to go their separate ways for the time being.
“You’ve done a few things, I wouldn’t expect people to act like I would if I were with them,” he said.
‘Like for example?’ Ella asked.
Not happy: Married At First Sight UK has harshly criticized Nathanial Valentino for his treatment of transgender bride Ella Morgan in Tuesday night’s episode
Breakup: Nathanial, 36, who identifies as pansexual, called Ella, 29, for a chat during which he broke the news that he wanted them to go their separate ways for the time being
Nathanial said: “I just think I need some space and we’ll look at it again another time. ‘I don’t have time’
“The whole JJ thing, I don’t think I agree with it,” Nathanial said. “We are there as a team. I just think I need some space and we’ll look at it again another time. I have no time.’
“It’s okay, the feeling is mutual,” Ella replied.
“I don’t have any fight left in me,” Nathanial said, to which Ella replied, “Neither do I.”
Ella immediately stood up and left the room, telling the camera she didn’t think Nathanial ever really liked her.
“Nathanial is the one who put us in this situation,” she said. “I should have trusted my gut feeling that he wasn’t into me and just wanted to be friends with me.”
Viewers quickly took to X/Twitter to criticize Nathanial for not being honest with Ella about how he really feels.
One user wrote: “Nathanial didn’t try at all.” He should have been at the forefront from the start.
Reaction: Viewers quickly took to X/Twitter to criticize Nathanial for not being honest with Ella about how he really feels
“It’s unpleasant to see him insulting Ella and now he’s using her flirting as an excuse as to why he doesn’t want her when he didn’t want her in the first place.”
Another added: “Nathaniel has been wasting Ella’s time since the end of her wedding ceremony.”
A third wrote: “Nathaniel can get bored. He was just looking for an old excuse to blame Ella so he could walk away with a clear conscience. “He wasn’t invested from the start.”
A fourth added: “Nathan should just end it with Ella because he’s waiting for Ella to make a mistake and use it as a reason to leave.”
Ella and Nathanial’s relationship was already on the rocks just three days into the eight-week series when they flew to Mexico for their honeymoon.
The couple came to blows after Ella told Nathanial that she had previously worked as a stripper, which she said may have changed his opinion of her.
Problem: Ella and Nathanial’s relationship was already on the rocks three days into the eight-week series when they flew to Mexico for their honeymoon
Emotional: The couple got into an argument after Ella told Nathanial that she used to work as a stripper, which she said may have changed his opinion of her
Web previously revealed Channel 4 was at the center of a “fake” row after telling Nathanial in advance that he was marrying a transgender bride, but the reality star still acted like the revelation came as a shock .
Viewers have since voiced their criticism of the series over how contestants’ families played up their reactions on camera after being told for the first time that their loved one was marrying a stranger.
Relationship expert Paul Brunson told a Twitter user: “The families know a TV crew has arrived but don’t know what show it is for. “So the surprise is authentic.”
A Channel 4 spokesman told Web: “We do not comment on speculation.”
“Viewers will have to tune in to find out what does and doesn’t happen as the series progresses – there are still 33 episodes left.”