A jilted groom set to appear on Married At First Sight 2024 is refusing to hand over his Instagram login details after sensationally quitting the show.
Ny Breaking Australia can exclusively reveal that Simon Flocco has not only quit the show, but is now refusing to play with the network.
Stars appearing on the show are expected to give up their social media accounts even after quitting.
Sources close to Simon revealed that the 39-year-old is ‘completely stunned’ to have been included in the show’s official line-up, which was announced on Monday.
Nine used an old photo that Flocco had sent to the wardrobe department, crudely photoshopped, in an attempt to trick fans.
A jilted groom set to appear on Married At First Sight 2024 is refusing to hand over his Instagram login details after sensationally quitting the show. In the photo: Simon Flocco
Ny Breaking Australia can exclusively reveal that the 39-year-old marketing manager from Adelaide has not only quit the show, but is now refusing to play with the network
‘Simon thought he was completely out of the picture. Seeing that photoshopped image was a real shock to him,” an insider revealed.
When asked for comment, Simon’s response was laced with irony: ‘Why am I even queuing? I guess they’d do anything for the ratings, right?’
Initially, Flocco had agreed to let Nine handle his Instagram when he signed up for the show. But in a defiant change of heart, he has decided to cut all ties with the show.
Close friends say he has “mentally checked out” and are angry that he is being dragged into the chaos again.
Sources close to Simon revealed that the 39-year-old is ‘completely stunned’ to have been included in the show’s official line-up, which was announced on Monday.
‘Simon thought he was completely out of the picture. Seeing that photoshopped image was a real shock to him,” an insider revealed
Missed opportunity
Channel Nine and EndemolShine Australia, the production company behind MAFS, are said to be ‘deeply disappointed’ by Simon’s decision.
Ny Breaking Australia can reveal that Simon will not receive any photos or clips from his time on the show as a result of his actions.
Flocco was the only groom whose Instagram was not promoted and tagged on the show’s official website or Instagram account.
They also won’t help him apply for an Instagram verification badge.
Simon breaks his silence
Despite filming his backstories and attending the money party, Flocco nearly “derailed” the series after getting cold feet and fleeing the country.
Simon broke his silence in October, telling Ny Breaking Australia: ‘MAFS wasn’t what I thought I wanted at this point in my life, that’s all.’
Expressing his regret, he added: “I just felt sorry for whoever they set me up with. I left at first, but they managed to lure me back… I have to take care of myself.”
A production insider explained at the time: ‘It’s complete and utter chaos! Simon’s departure was a blindside.
“Everyone is running around like headless chickens trying to save the situation.”
In a last-ditch effort, producers then paired Simon’s intended ‘husband’ Michael Felix with Perth hairdresser Stephen Stewart, introducing the couple as mid-season interlopers.
In a last-ditch effort, producers paired Simon’s intended ‘husband’ Michael Felix with Perth hairdresser Stephen Stewart, introducing the couple as mid-season interlopers.
Runaway groom
As previously reported by Ny Breaking Australia, Simon almost completely ‘ruined’ the show’s plans to feature a same-sex couple during their year of ‘diversity’ at the eleventh hour before his wedding.
“He continued to have doubts and expressed discomfort,” a well-placed source revealed.
‘Producers, hungry for a groundbreaking story, persuaded him to stay. That’s why he was on the job.
Married At First Sight returns to television on January 29 at 7.30pm on Channel Nine.