"I'm semi-engaged" Married at First Sight UK's Mark offers Shona a promise ring

Unexpected romance bloomed between two contestants from the 2023 season of Married at First Sight UK, with Matt Pilmoor recently giving Shona Manderson a promise ring at the show's 2025 reunion special.

The couple, who were originally matched with different partners on the reality dating show, found love with each other after their respective relationships ended. Sharing the news on Instagram, Shona excitedly wrote:

"I said yes!!! hehe I'm semi engaged to @mattpilmoor. I love my promise ring it was such a cute & thoughtful way to end our journey on MAFS. I knew he was planning something but I wasn't sure what it was. I'm so in my own world one of the producers took my ring off me to get my ring size and I didn't clock she distracted me so well."

For those unfamiliar with the show, Married at First Sight matches singles who meet for the first time at the altar, guided by relationship experts who pair them based on compatibility.

Married at First Sight’s Matt and Shona’s tale of two failed matches

Love on Reality TV, much like in real life, is an inexplicable thing. Cast your mind back to 2023's Married at First Sight UK season. Matt was paired with Adrienne, while Shona said "I do" to Brad Skelly.

Matt and Adrienne initially seemed like a good match. The couple got along well and both said yes at their final decision ceremony. However, Adrienne later admitted she felt herself pulling away, and by the reunion show, they had mutually ended their relationship.

Shona's journey with Brad on Married at First Sight proved more turbulent. Though they appeared to click at first, red flags soon emerged. Shona later revealed she felt Brad had been "love bombing" her during their time together. The situation became so problematic that producers eventually stepped in.

Expert Paul delivered the news to the couple, explaining:

"What I'm seeing happen is you have devolved, what it sounds like is there are moments when the desire is there but there are a lot of moments, where you are saying Shona, that you feel belittled, to a point where this is not a healthy relationship."

After their respective Married at First Sight relationships ended, rumors began swirling about Shona and Matt. In October 2023, the pair were spotted enjoying coffee together at Starbucks, with Shona's dog Winston in tow.

Eagle-eyed fans of Married at First Sight also noticed their interactions on social media. Matt liked all of Shona's Instagram posts, including yoga photos and glamorous night-out pictures. Meanwhile, Shona had been liking Matt's content since June 2023, before the show even aired.

In December 2023, the couple officially confirmed their relationship to OK! Magazine. Matt boldly declared:

"We definitely want to get married!"

Shona explained that the reunion show was where they first met and felt an instant connection.

"When Matt walked into the reunion I was like, 'Who is that?' because I left [the show] and then he came in, so we had never met," she revealed.

Matt added:

"When we met, there was just a spark straight away. We got on really well. The whole thing has happened for a reason."

Where are Matt and Shona now in their relationship?

At the latest Married at First Sight UK reunion, which brought together cast members from both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Matt surprised Shona with a promise ring.

During an emotional speech, Matt told Shona:

"I want to show you how committed I am with this ring, and to promise you an amazing future with lots of fun, travelling and making memories."

Shona later reflected on Instagram that it felt like a "full-circle moment" for them.

"Here we are at our third MAFS reunion — each reunion feels like a special chapter in our story. The first was where we met, the second where we walked in as boyfriend + girlfriend, and now this third one, where you planned the most beautiful surprise for me."

The couple has now been together for over a year and seems stronger than ever. They've openly discussed their plans for marriage and starting a family. Shona shared in their December 2023 interview:

"I'm 32 next year, so we want to have children in the next few years,"

Both believe their unconventional path to finding each other was meant to be.

"We have spoken about this and we believe that it was the journey we were meant to go on. We needed to learn and grow, and I think how we have found each other is so romantic," Shona said.

She added with heartfelt conviction:

"From dark energy to pure warmth & light never stop believing in real love! Matty you are my forever & I can't wait to marry you one day!"

For viewers who love it when reality TV surprises them, Matt and Shona's unexpected love story from Married at First Sight to the real-life world proves that sometimes, more frequently than one would think, the most perfect matches happen when the cameras stop rolling.

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Married at First Sight seasons 1–9 are now streaming on Channel 4 on demand.