Married at First Sight Australia fans 'devastated' after death of star

Virgin Radio

18 Sep 2023, 10:28

Married at First Sight Australia’s cast and fans were saddened on Monday when it was announced that one of the show’s experts, Dr Trisha Stratford, had died aged 72.

John Aiken, another of the relationship experts who appears on the show, broke the news of his “friend and dear colleague"’s death via his social media.

“I’m heartbroken and devastated that my friend and dear colleague Trisha has passed away,” he wrote on 18th September.

Trisha, who was born in New Zealand, was an expert on Married at First Sight Australia from the show’s very first episode until the end of season seven.

John’s statement reflected this, as it continued: “We shared an amazing seven seasons of @MAFS together. She loved everything New Zealand, relationships, the All Blacks, the Black Caps, French wine and traveling the world.

“I’ll miss you Tish. Thank you for all the memories,” the 53-year-old's post finished.

Fans took to the comments of his post to share tributes of their own following the passing of the MAFS star.

“We are so sorry John,” one wrote. “Devastating... Such a divine woman,” another penned alongside several red heart emojis. 

In a statement released by Channel 9, the Australian broadcaster joined friends and fans in paying tribute to Trisha by saying: “We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Dr Trisha Stratford.

“Our sincerest condolences and heartfelt sympathies go out to her family and those closest during this difficult time,” the statement continued.

Trisha left MAFS Australia in 2020 in order “to focus on my writing, research and neuropsychotherapy,” she said at the time.

In a later interview with Women’s Day New Zealand, the expert also revealed she left due to believing producer’s weren’t listening to all her advice about participants.

“There were participants on the show who I felt shouldn’t have been there,” she said. “It wasn’t what I signed up for,” she added.

Virgin Radio sends its thoughts to Trisha’s friends and family at this time.