Married At First Sight’s premise centres on the fact that couples are scientifically matched by experts.
But eagle-eyed fans may have noticed that the people pairing up strangers have subtly changed their titles from ‘psychologists’ to ‘relationship experts’ in the current season.
And now, emails leaked exclusively to Daily Mail Australia on Thursday reveal the change came about after a former contestant launched an official complaint against John Aiken, an ‘expert’ on the Channel Nine dating show.
EXCLUSIVE: The shocking real reason Married At First Sight ‘psychologists’ were forced to change their titles to ‘relationship experts’ this season (Pictured from left: Mel Schilling, Dr Trisha Stratford and John Aiken)
Documents show that the former contestant made a formal complaint against John to the psychology Council of NSW in April 2017 after being unhappy with his involvement in the show.
The contestant claimed people were ‘put in dangerous situations’ and John was later subjected to a hearing with the board as a result of the complaints
In an official email detailing the ruling, dated August 30th 2017, the contestant was told that the Council had determined that John could continue to work on the show, but he and the other ‘experts’ were no longer allowed to be referred to as ‘psychologists’.
‘In that letter, the Psychology Council of New South Wales advised you that Mr John Aiken is no longer participating on the television program ‘Married At First Sight’ as a psychologist and that he has updated his bio on the ‘9Now’ website to reflect this,’ part of the email read.
‘Please note that Mr Aiken is still able to participate in the show, however, he is no longer able refer to himself as a psychologist or undertake psychological practice [on the show].
‘This means that so long as all reference to him being a psychologist has been removed from the show, Mr Aiken can continue to work on it.
‘He may choose, for example, to use a title such as ‘relationship expert’ or some other such term.’
‘He is no longer able to refer to himself as a psychologist’: Leaked emails show the change in title came about after a formal complaint was levelled against Married At First Sight’s ‘relationship expert’ John Aiken
While the complaint was levelled against John by one disgruntled former contestant, the ruling appears to also affect the rest of Married At First Sight panel.
John is simply titled ‘Relationship Expert’ on Married At First Sight’s official website, while Mel Schilling is given the title ‘Dating and Relationship Expert’.
However, on her own website, Melanie is described as a ‘registered psychologist’.
Dr Trisha Stratford is referred to as a ‘Neuropsychotherapist’.
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Channel Nine, John Aiken and the former contestant for comment.
Subtle change: John is simply titled ‘Relationship Expert’ on Married At First Sight’s official website, while Mel Schilling is given the title ‘Dating and Relationship Expert’.
It’s all in the descirption: Mel Schilling is given the title ‘Dating and Relationship Expert’. However, on her own website, Melanie is described as a ‘registered psychologist’
It’s not the first time experts from the show have come under fire for their role in Married At First Sight’s relationships.
Former contestant Andrew ‘Jonesy’ Jones publicly took aim at John after the ‘relationship expert’ shared an Instagram post in the lead up to final reunion episode in 2017.
John uploaded a photo of Jonesy side by side with his ‘bride’ Cheryl Maitland and captioned it: ‘Are things going to get a little ugly between Jonesy and Cheryl tonight? Perhaps a little payback?’
Jonesy hit back on his own account, writing: ‘Does your psychologist froth on things getting ugly? Is he/she into revenge and payback?’
Past controversy: Last year, Andrew ‘Jonesy’ Jones publicly took aim at John after the ‘relationship expert’ shared an Instagram post in the lead up to final reunion episode in 2017 that questioned: ‘Are things going to get ugly?’