EXCLUSIVE
Married At First Sight’s Jack Dunkley has broken his silence over claims he broke up with his ex-girlfriend to appear on the Channel Nine dating series.
The 34-year-old personal trainer insists he didn’t end his relationship to pursue reality TV fame, and has sincerely decided to take part in the experiment to find everlasting love.
Jack came under fire this week when his former partner Courtney Jade accused him of breaking up with her under the guise of a ‘work opportunity in America’, only to discover he was starring in MAFS.
He says he wasn’t surprised that Courtney spoke out, and that he was completely transparent with his TV bride Tori Adams about his ex very early in the experiment.
‘It wasn’t a surprise. I felt like at some point my ex was going to go rogue and probably sell something to the media,” Jack told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday.
Married At First Sight’s Jack Dunkley has broken his silence on claims he broke up with his ex-girlfriend to appear on Channel Nine dating series
Jack came under fire this week when his former partner Courtney Jade (pictured) accused him of breaking up with her under the guise of a ‘work opportunity in America’, only to discover he was starring in MAFS
“Tori was completely over it.
“I think I discussed it with her on day two or day three of my meeting and informed her of my last relationship and where it was and how I couldn’t get away from communication even though I didn’t respond ‘
Dunkley has also claimed he’s just a ‘f**k boy’, a term he says has haunted his journey to finding love.
The 34-year-old personal trainer insists he didn’t end his relationship to pursue reality TV fame, and has sincerely decided to take part in the experiment to find everlasting love.
He says he wasn’t surprised that Courtney spoke out, and that he was completely transparent with his TV bride Tori Adams about his ex very early in the experiment.
“Tori was completely over it. I think I discussed it with her on day two or day three of my meeting and informed her of my last relationship and where it was and how I couldn’t get away from communication even though I didn’t respond, he explained
He says his portrayal of a man looking for lasting love on the show is accurate, and he wants to move away from the frivolities of his early twenties.
“I’m not an F-boy,” he declared vehemently.
“I told the cameras that this is not who I am and my story, my real story is actually the fact that I’m misunderstood and that’s why I thought I was struggling to find love because everyone looks at me and thinks I’m I’m not ready to settle down yet because I have this look on me and the way I’m holding myself.’
Daily Mail Australia understands that Jack has since contacted Courtney to apologize for not being transparent and to clarify the split. He wishes her nothing but the best for her future.
Dunkley has also claimed he’s just a ‘f**k boy’, a term he says has haunted his journey to finding love
“I struggled to find love because everyone looks at me and thinks I’m not ready to settle down yet because I have this look on me and the way I hold myself,” he said
This week, Dunkley’s ex admitted she felt sad watching his “wedding” unfold on TV.
‘It has been a very difficult time in my life. One that I wouldn’t wish on anyone,” she told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday.
‘I hope this doesn’t keep happening to other people. It was a horrible experience and not something I want to talk about.”
This week, Dunkley’s ex admitted she felt sad watching his “wedding” unfold on TV
Courtney then posted an emotionally charged statement to her Instagram Stories.
She said she was heartbroken. Jack airs dirty laundry about their breakup on the hit TV show.
“I hope everyone gets some sickening entertainment from my awful breakup on Channel Nine,” she said.
“I have no comment regarding MAFS so I would appreciate it if the media and all forms of communication would leave me alone.”
She also revealed her ongoing personal struggles following their divorce, revealing that she was forced to take medication and regularly visited a psychologist.
“I have been seeing a therapist and receiving medication for the disgusting trauma I have experienced, and I would like to be left alone to heal,” she said.
Courtney explained that the fact that their breakup will be so public has made things a lot harder to process.
“It’s one thing to go through a breakup, but it’s another to have to relive it on national television and talk about it,” she added.
“Enjoy watching the fame hungry people ruin lives and cause nothing but pain. I am ashamed of the world we live in and absolutely shocked by my experience.”
She questioned the show’s premise, asking, “Create love or create monsters?” before invoking respect for her privacy.
Married At First Sight continues on Sunday at 7pm on Channel Nine.