The chance to find true love has always been John’s motivation for going on the controversial reality show not once, but twice.
He missed out when his first on-screen ‘wife’, Debbie expressed ongoing disappointment that John wasn’t of Polynesian descent. So when the producers asked him back for a third shot at love, John embraced the opportunity with open arms.
“I thought ‘why not?’ I still haven’t found love,” he told TV WEEK when the announcement was made.
“I had a good experience last time even though me and Deb didn’t work out so I thought I might as well give it another shot.”
Joining the experiment for a second time, John was matched with mother-of-three Melissa and though they’ve so far gone the distance, it looks like there’s trouble ahead.
Despite having a great connection and “marriage” with his experimental partner Melissa, John admits the couple’s relationship is still up in the air.
“To be brutally honest, the distance is a concern,” the 54-year-old from Victoria says.
“Melissa and I still grapple with that. We are in different ends of the state. Melissa is so set up in her world and her community that, to this day, it’s hard.”
The father-of-two says the distance means the couple haven’t been able to spend much time together.
“We can’t see each other during the week,” he says. “I couldn’t drive up there and stay the night, because then it’s a two or three-hour drive back to work.”
Adding further doubt to their future together, John says if things work out between him and Melissa, he’s not sure he would pop the question.
“It’s not a burning desire to be actually married,” John explains.
“I don’t know if I need the piece of paper, but never say never.”
