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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Katie Wilson & Lottie Gibbons

MAFS UK's Thomas Hartley apologises for 'sickening' comments about co-stars

Married At First Sight UK star Thomas Hartley has issued an apology after making 'sickening' comments about his co-stars.

The reality TV star said he will live 'eternally with regret' following his behaviour. Thomas had been coupled up with Adrian Sanderson on the latest season of Married At First Sight UK. The Scouse pair got off to a difficult start as they jetted off to Mexico for their honeymoon.

The two overcame their rocky start and decided to stay together in the final commitment ceremony of the series. However, questions remained over whether there was a romantic spark in their relationship.

READ MORE: Young family left 'homeless' after responding to Facebook message

But at the final dinner party, Thomas was upset as he spotted the romantic connection between the other couples at the table. This prompted the two to have a tearful heart to heart and they decided they will not take their final vows.

Thomas was known for his fallouts and outbursts on this year’s show, but despite appearing to making up with everyone on the recent reunion episode, the mental health nurse caused controversy on What’s Happenin’ podcast.

According to the Mirror, his comments upset April Banbury, who he had a long-running feud with, as well as Whitney Hughes and couple Jenna Robinson and Zoe Clifton.

They included a joke about Jenna’s dad, who died during Covid meaning he couldn’t walk her down the aisle. Blasting their behaviour, April said: “To come across sickening behaviour from adults is appalling. Laughing over people’s trauma for clout.

“The industry needs to be careful as to who they give platforms to without damaging their names also, by supporting and promoting bullying.”

After being publicly criticised by his co-stars regarding his comments, Thomas has since issued an apology and says he has asked for the offensive podcast to be taken down. He said: “I sincerely apologise for any offence I caused on the podcast. It wasn’t right and I did ask for it to be removed and it wasn’t.

"I take full responsibility and honestly completely regret the situation and what I said. I am honestly so sorry for any pain caused to anyone... There’s no excuse. I was out of order massively. I will live eternally with regret.”

In later posts on Instagram, he apologised again as he revealed he was having some “very dark thoughts”. He said: "I think it’s important to start by saying this podcast is about dark comedy and it’s safe to say after the reaction from people, death threats, accusations and the band wagoning, it’s safe to say I’ve had some very dark thoughts.

“I have already apologised, but the damage is done and for those personally affected by the podcast, I am extremely sorry. The lines between comedy and insensitivity were massively blurred. I was genuinely too comfortable and said the complete wrong thing.

“To the trolls, those threatening my family and friends, you should be ashamed of yourselves. I’m taking a break from social media for a few days.”

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