Producers of Married At First Sight will cast Dr. Trisha Stratford will be honored after her shocking death when the series returns on January 29.
Despite her controversial departure from the show in 2019, Channel Nine will pay tribute to her legacy in the new season, according to Yahoo lifestyle.
Sources close to the production revealed the deep sense of loss felt by the show's co-stars and producers.
“No one was more shocked by the news of Trisha's passing than John Aiken and Mel Schilling and they both wanted their former colleague and friend to be recognized,” the insider said.
Aiken, who worked closely with Trisha throughout her tenure on the show, was reportedly unaware of the extent of her health problems.
Producers of Married At First Sight will cast Dr. Trisha Stratford will be honored after her shocking death when the series returns on January 29
“John had shot the first seven seasons of MAFS with her and yet knew very little about her health issues,” the source said.
The source added that the tribute is a necessary addition and fans would be upset if it wasn't included.
“It would really be a statement if they didn't include her in the first episode. Fans of the show would be disappointed and John and Mel would feel cheated,” the insider said.
Sources close to the production revealed the deep sense of loss felt by the show's co-stars and producers
Aiken announced Trisha's death at the age of 72 on September 19.
“I am heartbroken and devastated that my friend and dear colleague Trisha has passed away,” he announced on Instagram upon her passing.
“We shared seven amazing seasons of MAFS together. She loved everything about New Zealand, relationships, the All Blacks, the Black Caps, French wine and traveling around the world.
'I will miss you Tish. Thanks for all the memories.'
During her time on the show, Trisha was known for her 'pheromone test' and for asking contestants if they had been 'intimate' with each other
Aitken appeared on the Today show to share his fondest memories of working with the neuropsychotherapist, telling co-hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo that Trisha was an “amazing woman” and a “voice of reason” on set.
“Nothing could really upset her. She was always the smartest person in the room when I was with her. The MAFS participants threw things at her [and] she was doing well,” said a visibly emotional Aitken.
“You flirted with her on set, you know, and she just shrugged it off,” he joked.
When asked about the cause of death, Aitken said he wanted to respect the wishes of Trisha and her family by keeping this information private.
“Although she was on the number one show in Australasia and also toured the world, she was also quite a private person and had a lot of integrity,” he said.
Trisha's impressive achievements include being a single mother of three girls while having an impressive career.
She was also New Zealand's first ever sports journalist and later became a war correspondent before retraining as a clinical neuropsychotherapist.
Channel 9 said in a statement at the time of her death: 'We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr Trisha Stratford.
“Our sincere condolences and heartfelt condolences go out to her family and those closest to her at this difficult time.”
During her time on the show, Trisha was known for her 'pheromone test' and for asking contestants if they had been 'intimate' with each other.
In early 2021, Trisha also came forward to deliver a scathing attack on the controversial reality series, claiming it made her feel “sick.”
She was part of the line-up for seven seasons and announced in 2020 that she would be stepping back ahead of the eighth season.
“After seven seasons of Married At First Sight, I have decided to step back from television to focus on my writing, research and neuropsychotherapy,” Trisha said in a statement at the time.
In early 2021, Trisha also came forward to deliver a scathing attack on the controversial reality series, claiming it made her feel “sick.”
“Towards the end I couldn't compromise my professional and personal standards because there were contestants on the show that I felt shouldn't have been there,” she told Woman's Day New Zealand.