Former Bachelor star signs up to Married at First Sight New Zealand

The 12 strangers getting hitched on the first Married At First Sight NZ have been revealed — including a former Bachelorette hoping it’s second time lucky to find love on reality TV.

Bel Clarke was one of the most popular contestants on this year’s The Bachelor NZ.

Despite some cute times with Zac Franich, she failed to last the distance and ended the show in tears.

"Dating hasn’t worked out for me and I am ready to settle down and build a life with someone," she told Spy.

"This is a rare opportunity where I could potentially find someone who is matched to me with the same values and wants in life. I had nothing to lose but a husband to gain."

The Kiwi version of international hit premieres in two weeks. Unlike MAFS Australia, these marriages are for real — pre-nups and all.

Here’s the lowdown on the 11 others joining Clarke.

Insurance consultant Ben, 26 from Auckland is confident, funny and extroverted and looking for a husband.

He has recently moved back to Auckland from Melbourne and has had only two serious relationships. His parents have been married for 33 years and Ben is hoping for the same stretch of happiness.

It has not yet been revealed who will be matched with who, but Spy is taking a punt that the show’s oldest contestants — function co-ordinator Claire, 51 from Palmerston North and former policeman Dominic, 58 and also from Palmy — will be together.

Five years ago Claire’s marriage of 25 years ended and she is now re-living her youth, which has meant taking on a new hobby — pole dancing. Dominic, half-French, and half-Irish has lived in New Zealand for 12 years and the keen motorcycle rider and car fanatic seems like he is fit enough to work out with Claire, who has three supportive children.

From Wellington, website co-ordinator Angel, 26 boasts an eccentric and quirky upbringing. She does not like to be lonely and is ready to settle down with a typical Kiwi bloke.

Warehouse manager Luke, 34 is the funny guy from Raglan who has been a bit of a star surfer in his life and is described as laid-back and humble — he already has a few fans on his YouTube channel, The Raglan Surf Report.

Service professional Lacey, 29, from Tauranga, is an ambitious career woman, who cannot stand lazy people, hates Tinder and doesn’t like big parties. She would like her husband to meet the approval of her identical twin sister.

Business owner Brett, 34, from Christchurch, operates his own wooden sign-making business and when he is not crafting wood, he plays touch rugby and cricket, as well as being a keen mountain bike rider and snowboarder. 

Primary school teacher, Aucklander Haydn, 31 has been itching to get married most of his life and is excited the moment has come. 

In his spare time, he is a semi-professional wrestler and is known as the “Genetic Pitbull.”

Flight attendant Vicky, 27 is the “girly” girl of the series. The Auckland woman loves all things Disney and is hoping to meet her Prince Charming after a bad run of relationships. She is an extrovert and loves a good dance.

Also from Auckland is 26-year-old Andrew, a builder, lover of the outdoors and a keen fisherman who describes himself as clumsy. Handy Andy is hoping his partner loves the outdoors as much as he does. Trust issues may be a problem, as he has been lied to and cheated on in the past. Ambulance Officer Aaron, 26 from Christchurch is looking forward to meeting his future life-long partner at the altar. He admits he is not the most patient person because he likes to get on with things quickly — MAFS surely couldn’t be more perfect for him.

This article was first published on Spy and is republished here with permission.