Mafs' John Aiken Spills His True Thoughts On Cheating Scandals

The Endless Drama of MAFS Cheating Scandals

Imagine a season of Married At First Sight (MAFS) without a juicy cheating scandal – it seems almost impossible! Ever since the unforgettable drama of 2018 with Davina Rankin and Dean Wells, every season has delivered its own mix of secret affairs and unexpected partner swaps. While some, like 2023’s Claire Nomarhas and Adam Seed, were just fleeting moments, others like Jessika Power and Dan Webb in 2019 were explosive and unforgettable. Interestingly, a few couples have managed to make their scandalous beginnings work in the real world, such as Ellie Dix and Jono McCullough from 2024, who are still going strong, and Jacqui Burfoot and Clint Rice from 2025, who are now planning their wedding.

How the Experts See the Cheating Scandals

So, what do the experts really think of these annual scandals? John Aiken, a stalwart of the MAFS expert panel since its inception in 2015, admits he is still often surprised by what unfolds. “I watch the show like everybody else, and I’m often shocked and confronted with what’s going on,” he revealed.

“Cheating is something that happens out in the real world, so it’s often going to happen on our show. I just sit back, and I wait to see what unfolds.”

Aiken acknowledges that MAFS reflects real-world issues, whether it’s cheating, gaslighting, or even the influence of trends like TikTok and OnlyFans. He emphasizes keeping an open mind and dealing with each situation as it arises.

John Aiken's Unpredictable Role

Fans of the show know that Aiken is never one to shy away from holding participants accountable for their behavior. He has a history of calling out "abrasive" communication styles and "toxic" relationship patterns. "It’s always exciting for me, because it’s unscripted and it’s unpredictable," Aiken explained. "I don’t know what I’m going to say, I don’t know how I’m going to say it, and I don’t know what I’m going to be seeing. I’m just basically playing what is in front of me."

As this year's season promises "unprecedented" behavior from the female participants, viewers can expect Aiken to deliver his trademark brand of candid feedback. After all, a MAFS season without John Aiken’s direct approach would be just as strange as a season without a cheating scandal!