A runaway Married At First Sight groom is set to make a jaw-dropping return to the 2025 series just weeks after his dramatic exit.
Daily Mail Australia can reveal that Eliot Donovan, who infamously walked out mere hours after his wedding to Lauren Hall, is making a sensational comeback that has left both his estranged bride and fellow contestants reeling.
The bombshell development comes after his former bride, Lauren, was paired with a new partner, professional golfer Clint Rice.
Insiders have revealed that the cast and crew were left in a state of disbelief when Eliot suddenly reappeared on set, arriving late for the dinner party.
‘It was like the ultimate plot twist,’ a source close to the show dished.
‘Lauren and Clint had just started to get comfortable with each other when Eliot showed up out of the blue. The look on Lauren’s face was priceless – she was completely gobsmacked. And Clint? He was not impressed at all.’
‘Lauren’s new groom Clint let him absolutely have it.’
Eliot’s abrupt exit made headlines when he walked out just hours after his wedding to Lauren, citing a lack of connection.
In a twist no one saw coming, Married At First Sight groom Eliot Donovan is set to make a jaw-dropping return to the 2025 series just weeks after his dramatic exit
Daily Mail Australia can reveal that Eliot, who infamously walked out mere hours after his wedding to Lauren Hall, (pictured) is making a sensational comeback that has left both his estranged bride and fellow contestants reeling
His return, however, seems to suggest that he has unfinished business, not only with Lauren but with the other participants as well.
According to a well-placed insider, Eliot’s return isn’t just about mending fences with Lauren.
‘Eliot feels like he was misunderstood,’ the source said.
But that’s not all – his former bride, Lauren, has also returned to the series, now paired with a new partner, professional golfer Clint Rice (Lauren and Clint pictured)
‘He’s back to clear his name, but isn’t apologetic about his behaviour. Him and Lauren were a complete mis-match, and hasn’t changed his mind about wanting out of their romance.’
Lauren, who was left heartbroken by Eliot’s abrupt departure, has been navigating her new relationship with professional golfer Clint, a charismatic and successful golfer known for his cool demeanour under pressure.
‘Lauren and Clint were really starting to hit it off,’ the insider continued.
‘Clint’s been a rock for her, and she’s been enjoying the fresh start. Eliot’s return has definitely thrown a wrench in the works.’
Insiders have revealed that the cast and crew were left in a state of disbelief when Eliot suddenly reappeared on set, arriving late for the dinner party
Eliot’s reappearance has sent ripples of tension throughout the cast.
‘There’s a lot of anxiety now,’ the source added. ‘Everyone has no clear what the f**k is going on.’
‘Eliot’s comeback has put everyone on edge, especially Lauren.’
According to the insider, many of the grooms didn’t get along with Eliot when meeting him at the buck’s party.
‘It was like the ultimate plot twist,’ a source close to the show dished. ‘Lauren and Clint had just started to get comfortable with each other when Eliot showed up out of the blue’
Lauren, who was left heartbroken by Eliot’s abrupt departure, has been navigating her new relationship with professional golfer Clint, a charismatic and successful golfer known for his cool demeanour under pressure
‘It’s going to be interesting to see how this plays out’.
Producers are reportedly thrilled with the unexpected drama, describing Eliot’s return as a ‘game-changer’ for the season.
‘This is the kind of twist that makes MAFS must-watch TV,’ another insider shared.
‘The love triangle between Eliot, Lauren, and Clint is going to keep viewers glued to their screens.’
It comes after Daily Mail Australia revealed that Eliot packed his bags and booked a return ticket home before the ink was even dry on their marriage certificate.
According to insiders, Donovan struggled with the pressures of the show and felt overwhelmed by the rapid pace of the experiment.
‘Eliot just wasn’t ready for the intensity of it all,’ a source close to the groom revealed.
‘He thought he was, but once they were on the honeymoon, it all became too much, and he decided to walk away.’
Photos taken by Daily Mail Australia on August 6 showed the MAFS crew frantically trying to shield Lauren as she arrived solo at the first dinner party.
The first commitment ceremony also saw a shocking mass exodus, with three couples calling it quits within the first two weeks of filming in an ‘unheard of’ twist.
‘We’re already down six people, and it’s only been two weeks. The pressure on the remaining cast is enormous, and it’s creating a lot of tension,’ an insider shared.
Joining newbie Clint and Lauren as fellow intruders to spice things up are couple Teejay Halkias and Bethy Kelly, who have already tied the knot in scenes filmed on Tuesday.
Amid the casting chaos, Daily Mail Australia recently revealed that the new batch of intruders have been brought in with one strict condition – to bring the drama.
After three couples quit filming, Daily Mail Australia revealed that the new batch of intruders have been brought in to bring the drama (pictured: Intruder couple Teejay Halkias and Bethy Kelly)
Each has been handpicked for their potential to cause a stir among the existing couples after six contestants abruptly quit, an insider revealed.
‘They were told from the get-go that they need to create tension and keep the drama flowing,’ they shared.
Last season, two of three intruders couples failed to last the distance, staying on the experiment for a few days before sensationally quitting.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk