Following weeks of unrequited feelings and awkward moments, Married At First Sight intruders Kate Laidlaw and Matt Ridley decided to leave the experiment for good.
During Sunday night’s commitment ceremony, Kate wrote “leave” for a second consecutive week, while Matt followed suit, admitting he’s a “realist” who didn’t see them getting back on track.
To celebrate Kate and Matt’s time on the show together, let’s take a look at how they got here…
Kate, a 38-year-old clinical nutritionist who’s never been in a relationship before, instantly had us vying for her to find her happily ever after.
“In high school I did have boys come up to me and tell me I was ugly. When I finished high school, any male that showed me attention I kind of took it, even if they weren’t even treating me right,” she said tearfully in her introduction.
“No one has ever wanted to call me their girlfriend. I feel extreme loneliness. I think ‘I wonder what it would feel like to be the girl that the guy chooses’.”
But upon meeting her new husband Matt Ridley at the alter, it became clear the 39-year-old law clerk may not be her Prince Charming.
Matt, who’s yearning for a family of his own after years of unsuccessful IVF treatments with his ex-wife, couldn’t wipe the smile off his face after meeting Kate.
“She is so stunning. I’m over the moon, I couldn’t have wished for anything better,” he gushed.
But Kate wasn’t as impressed with her match, telling the cameras she wished she’d felt more of an initial spark: “I think he just needs to put the brakes on a little. He’s liking me and I’m not giving that same energy back.”
Thankfully, Kate eventually started to warm to Matt after finding out he and his ex had fostered more than 25 kids.
“When he said that I was almost into him a bit more because I can see there’s a kind soul,” she said, but admitted that she still didn’t have “a desire to want to kiss him”.
As their wedding began to wrap up, Kate told Matt that she wasn’t comfortable with his level of affection, and the pair agreed to take their relationship slow.
The couple’s relationship hit another roadblock during their third week on the show when Matt bought Kate perfume to celebrate their “three-week anniversary”.
But the gesture didn’t go down well, with Kate accusing Matt of being delusional over the state of their relationship.
They briefly managed to get along during the couples’ retreat, but things came crashing down after Matt came home drunk one night.
Want more on Married At First Sight season nine? Check out the links below:
Is Married At First Sight real or fake? Let’s examine the evidence
Is Married At First Sight legal in Australia? Why the Marriage Act makes things complicated
How much do Married At First Sight contestants get paid in Australia?
The most shocking, hilarious and downright disturbing Married at First Sight bombshells