Jess Potter of Married at First Sight UK has denied rumors that she cheated with another partner, calling them “complete nonsense” and stating that she wishes she had never taken part in the show.
Despite the fact that the latest season of the reality TV show did end a few weeks ago, a number of cast members have made cheating allegations against other contestants in recent days.
In a recent Instagram live with comedian Kane Brown, Thomas Hartley suggested that the ‘Harry Potter fan’ had ‘slept with people from the cast.’ He also claimed it was a woman, suggesting Jess because she and her TV husband Pjay Finch were fans of the fantasy franchise – though he clarified that it was just a rumor.
Jess has now shared her side of the story with Tyla, calling the rumors “complete lies” and saying she’s “over the drama and online bullying that some people are doing.” “Coming out of the show, I’d had enough of people watching it and giving me death threats,” she explained.
“There are a lot of people who are trolling us, and I understand that’s going to come from people who aren’t in the show. “But when it’s coming from cast members it’s upsetting because I’ve never had a falling out with anyone.”
As for the rumors, Jess said they are ‘utter nonsense. “I didn’t even spend much time on the show, let alone to be able to have an affair,” she said.
“He [Thomas] even said this is just a rumor. Well if it’s just a rumor, don’t bring it up unless you have the facts right.” While it’s all well and good cast members bringing the tea, Jess continued: “When other people’s mental states, like myself, have been affected then it’s just bullying.
“It just makes me think, has no one learned anything from Caroline Flack?” The 31-year-old went on to say that she doesn’t have MAFS in her social media bio and that she avoids following any of the other couples or looking at online posts about it.
“I didn’t want anything to do with the show when it finished because it was a horrible experience for me.” As a result of the online bullying, Jess said she was having panic attacks and went to therapy when the show aired.
“People criticize what you look like, where you come from – everything about you gets scrutinized and it’s very difficult.” The dental hygienist didn’t even watch the episodes when they first came out, claiming that she and her new partner made their home a ‘MAFS-free zone’ because it is her ‘safe space.’
“But when people start bringing stuff up, especially when it’s life, it’s really affecting me again,” she continued. “So that’s why I just wanted to make a point – stop talking about people and just focus on your own life. It’s not fair.”
In terms of safeguarding, which is a point of contention in reality TV shows, Jess stated that producers did contact her during the recent claims to check in and inform her that they would speak with specific cast members to find out what was going on.
“But there’s only so many people can do,” she added. “You can tell someone not to do something but that doesn’t mean they’re not going to.” Even though she was only at the MAFS apartment for less than a week, with everything that has unfolded over the past couple of months, Jess firmly stated: “If I could go back, I wouldn’t have taken part in the show.”