Married At First Sight’s John Aiken DEFENDS Mel Schilling after fans accused her of ‘double standards’ for criticising Bronson’s use of the C-word but ignoring Ines’ verbal tirades
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Married At First Sight relationship expert Mel Schilling faced a viewer backlash on Sunday after lecturing Bronson Norrish over his disrespectful language but failing to also address Ines Basic’s ‘abusive’ behaviour.
And John Aiken publicly defended his colleague on Monday, saying there was no gender double standard and insisting men and women are treated equally on the show.
‘We deal with whatever is in front of us at the time at the commitment ceremonies,’ John said during in interview on Channel Nine’s Today show.
Debate: MAFS expert John Aiken (right) has defended Mel Schilling (not pictured) after fans accused her of ‘double standards’ for criticising Bronson’s use of the C-word but ignoring Ines’ verbal tirades. Pictured on Monday’s Today show with contestant Elizabeth Sobinoff (left)
‘And at that point, Bronson used language which was frankly unacceptable,’ he carefully explained.
When asked why Ines wasn’t held to account for her offensive language, John said that dealing with Bronson’s use of the C-word was more of a priority at the time.
‘Mel jumped in. Frankly, if she hadn’t, I would have because it was so repulsive,’ he said. ‘The language that was so repulsive, the language that was being used.’
‘Don’t use language like that if you want a relationship with a woman!’ Bronson Norrish was criticised by Mel Schilling (pictured) for calling Ines Basic the C-word on Sunday’s episode
He went on to assure viewers that Ines would also get her comeuppance during her couple’s counselling session on Monday night’s episode.
‘We don’t pick and choose sides but we are definitely intervening in this experiment this series in a way we’ve never done before,’ John insisted.
On Sunday’s explosive episode of Married at First Sight, Bronson called Ines the C-word during their first commitment ceremony.
The former stripper received a stern warning from the relationships experts, but was widely praised on social media for standing up to his ‘wife’.
Ouch! ‘I’m not calling her a c**t, I’m saying she acts like a c**t’, Bronson said of his ‘wife’ Ines
Viewers took to Twitter to express their opinion on the exchange, with the majority of fans sympathising with him and defending his use of the term.
While Ines voted to leave the experiment, Bronson decided to stay, forcing her to endure another week with him.
Explaining his decision, he said: ‘When we did the questionnaire thing, Ines was amazing that night, like, really amazing. I loved her to pieces that night.
‘Next morning, the Hulk came out. Straight back to a c**t. I’m not calling her a c**t, I’m saying she acts like a c**t’.
Justified? While he was criticised on the show, Bronson was widely defended on social media
He went there! Bronson’s castmates, including Elizabeth Sobinoff (pictured), were shocked by his colourful language
A stunned Ines replied: ‘I don’t think this could get any worse.’
Mel was horrified by Bronson’s slur, saying: ‘Don’t use language like that if you want any chance of a relationship with a woman.’
The pair were then told they would be forced into counselling, with John insisting that Bronson needed to learn ‘respect’.
Married At First Sight continues Monday at 7:30pm on Channel Nine
Sticking together: While Ines voted to leave the experiment, Bronson decided to stay, forcing her to endure another week with him
Revenge? Viewers claimed Bronson was justified in calling Ines a ‘c**t’ after she had verbally abused him – including telling him repeatedly to ‘shut the f**k up’ – during their honeymoon