Former Married At First Sight UK contestant Dean has publicly announced a new romance, moving on from his much-discussed failed marriage to co-star Sarah. The hopeful romantic made his relationship Instagram official, sharing a sweet snapshot with his new partner.
From Show Nerves to a Modern Romance
Dean and Sarah were the first couple to marry in the tenth season of the Channel 4 experiment, paired by experts who identified shared core values. However, their relationship struggled almost immediately after Sarah confessed that physical attraction was an issue, suggesting she might warm to Dean if he "lost some weight and got tattoos."
Despite Dean's persistent optimism that a spark would eventually ignite, it never did. The pair became the second couple to leave the experiment in 2025. Although they remained in contact and Dean expressed hope for a reconciliation at the MAFS UK reunion special last year, he has now clearly turned a new page.
Going Instagram Official
Dean chose to reveal his new relationship on Instagram on 6 January 2026. The post featured a tender photo of the couple forming a heart shape with their hands against a moonlit backdrop.
He captioned the image: "So I may have been keeping a secret the last couple of months.... ?❤️ Going into this year the happiest I've been ?." The announcement was met with an outpouring of support from his MAFS UK co-stars, including Leigh, Steven, and Bailey, who flooded the comments with congratulatory messages.
Details of the New Relationship
While keeping details relatively private on Instagram, Dean has been more open on TikTok. He disclosed that the couple met online, describing it as a "modern romance story." He expressed that he is "very happy" and emphasised a key difference from his TV marriage: his new girlfriend genuinely "fancies him" for who he is.
However, fans hoping for a full reveal might have to wait. Dean indicated he does not plan to show her face publicly "anytime soon," preferring to keep that part of his life more private.
An Amicable Split with Sarah
Following their exit from the experiment last year, Sarah posted a heartfelt public message to Dean on social media. She thanked him for being her "rock" during difficult times and her "biggest supporter," expressing gratitude for their shared experience and happy memories.
The two have maintained a strong friendship since the show. Last year, Sarah shared images on Instagram of Dean visiting her hometown of Aberdeen, confirming their bond endured beyond their televised marriage.
Dean's journey from a hopeful but mismatched TV bridegroom to finding off-screen happiness marks a new chapter, proving that sometimes the right connection is found after the cameras stop rolling.
