Things on MAFS UK are heating up. Leisha and Reiss had some major drama at a dinner party. Leigh was embroiled in a flirting scandal. And one couple has actually been asked to leave altogether.
Sarah Gillanders and Dean Vary were matched by the experts after Sarah said she was looking for the “nicest guy in the world”, and Dean seemed to fit the bill. However, after a not-so-promising start and an even bumpier journey, their relationship (and time on the show) was abruptly cut short when the experts encouraged the duo to call it quits and leave – even though they both wrote “stay” on their cards.
So, who is Sarah Gillanders, who made a shocking exit from MAFS UK?
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Sarah Gillanders is a 31-year-old recruitment consultant from Aberdeen, Scotland. She joined the MAFS experiment after all of her friends had coupled off, and she found herself still single for two years.
Sarah's mother passed away, and she was determined to “do her mother proud” and find the one.
Things between Sarah and Dean were pretty bumpy right from the get-go.
Sarah experienced the infamous ick pretty much as soon as she saw Dean — and his rap.
"He's just over the top. That's put me right off," she said, adding, "I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. The rap is not something I envisioned, I have to say."
Dean was more positive. “She joined in on the big rap. She was loving it,” he said. "It was way better than anything I could have hoped. This is my type of lady. She has passed the vibe check. The vibe check is off the scale."
Sarah later shared that she didn't feel attracted to Dean. “Dean is such a lovely guy, but I'm going to have to be honest, I don't want to rip his clothes off,” she said. “I'm just sensing a friend vibe more than a romantic vibe, and I haven't come here for a friend.”
Things continued to be pretty strained, with Sarah never really feeling the spark. At one dinner party, she couldn't help but glance enviously at another groom.
She was told off by the experts for her behaviour to Dean. And things kept going downhill.
At another dinner party, she bluntly told another participant that there was no spark. She later broke down in tears during the interview. “I just can't keep doing it. I can't change my feelings.”
It was a “dream” wedding, after all.
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It was pretty clear, at this point, that Sarah and Dean weren't going to work. She had never showed any sign of fancying him and he wasn't happy. Nevertheless, at the last commitment ceremony, both wrote “stay” on their cards, determined to plod on in the experiment.
“I think we're at that point now if I take a step back ... I'm worried if I give up, I'm worried I'll be like, did I try? So if I stay another week, plan another date... ” Sarah explained her decision.
In a rare twist, however, the experts served the pair a reality check. “Sarah, I think you know how you feel,” said Mel.
“I think you're clutching at straws here. And this is not to be harsh, this is to be real,” she went on. “We are halfway through this experiment.”
Expert Charlene agreed. “I think perhaps you're making excuses here... there isn't any desire here at all. At what point do you call it quits?”
Paul also chimed in, adding, “We all see it.”
Sarah finally admitted it was time to leave.
“I don't want to hurt you anymore,” she told Dean. “I just don't think we're right for each other romantically.”
Because it's not a British reality show without at least one footballer.
“The last couple of episodes have been really tough, and watching last night’s Commitment Ceremony was not easy. I know there’s been a lot of criticism, and while it’s hard to hear, I truly accept the feedback from Paul, Charlene & Mel,” Sarah wrote on Instagram after her final episode aired. “I am determined to take this as an opportunity to learn and do better. At the end of the day, I’m only human. I’m not perfect. But I am listening, I am learning, and I’m moving forward with that in mind.❤️”
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