The drama from this season’s Married at First Sight Australia has taken a serious turn, with groom Ryan Donnelly applying for a restraining order against his on-screen wife Jacqui Burfoot, citing “vicious” and “malicious” online conduct.
Donnelly, 37, filed for an apprehended domestic violence order (ADVO) in Sydney’s Campbelltown Local Court on Wednesday, alleging that Burfoot’s social media activity had led to personal harm and threats. The fallout from the couple’s tumultuous televised relationship, which ended in a fiery exchange during the show’s final vow ceremony, has now escalated into a public legal battle.
Reality TV Romance Gone Wrong
Donnelly and Burfoot were matched as a couple in the most recent season of the long-running reality show. However, their brief romance unraveled in front of millions of viewers, culminating in a bitter split at the final vows.
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“Ryan, in a world of red flags, you are the red carpet,” Burfoot told Donnelly at the finale.
“Be gone with you, you horrible woman,” he fired back.
The conflict did not end there. The on-screen tension has since turned into a legal saga, with both parties accusing each other of harassment and defamation. Burfoot previously secured an interim restraining order against Donnelly in Tasmania, preventing him from discussing her on social media. In response, Donnelly lodged his own legal complaint.
Allegations of Harassment and Retaliation
Outside the courthouse, Donnelly spoke to reporters, describing how he had suffered significant personal and professional harm from Burfoot’s social media allegations.
“An individual has tried to destroy my life, my potential for career options, collaborations … with false allegations,” Donnelly said. “So men can be victims as well. At one point, I was very afraid.”
He added that the allegations had damaged his public reputation and affected potential opportunities in the wake of his reality TV appearance.
Donnelly’s application seeks a two-year order barring Burfoot from contacting or speaking publicly about him and his close associates. The order would also prohibit her from stalking, harassing, threatening, or damaging his property—including harm to his pet dog, Freya.
Burfoot Opposes Order, Cites False Claims
Jacqui Burfoot, who now resides in Tasmania and is engaged to fellow MAFS participant Clint Rice, did not attend the Sydney hearing but filed an email submission opposing the ADVO. In it, she claimed the order was “founded on false statements” and was “in retaliation to my win in court.”
She disputed Donnelly’s claims that she had sent him harassing direct messages and also challenged his assertion that their relationship lasted nine months, saying it ended after just three.
In a separate social media post, Burfoot described the case as “a waste of court resources” and accused Donnelly of attempting to manipulate public perception through media coverage of the proceedings.
Under New South Wales law, a “domestic relationship” does not require a specific duration to be considered valid for the purposes of an ADVO.
Court Reserves Decision
Magistrate Shane McAnulty declined to rule on the matter in Burfoot’s absence, instead ordering both parties to prepare written submissions. The case will return to court on June 24.
Until then, the court will not impose any new restraining conditions on Burfoot beyond those already in place under the previous interim order from Tasmania.
Outside court, Donnelly insisted the legal proceedings were justified and necessary for his peace of mind.
“I just want to move on with my life,” he said. “But I also want to make sure I’m protected. Justice should be served.”
He also suggested that a defamation suit may follow, claiming that Burfoot’s public comments had harmed his reputation and career prospects.
Fallout from a Franchise Known for Controversy
The ongoing legal battle underscores the sometimes volatile consequences of reality television fame. Married at First Sight Australia is known for producing dramatic moments and controversial relationships, but legal disputes between participants are rare.
Donnelly’s legal push also raises questions about how reality TV contracts, publicity rights, and participant behavior are managed after filming ends.
“I think MAFS is a program that can do wonderful things for people,” Donnelly said, though he declined to comment on whether he would cease posting about Burfoot on social media.
For Burfoot, the show has taken a happier turn. She is now engaged to Clint Rice, another groom from the same season, who proposed during a watch party for the season finale.
Their new relationship appears to be flourishing, while her previous on-screen marriage continues to generate headlines.
Broader Implications
The case highlights a growing trend of legal disputes emerging from reality TV environments, where off-camera tensions are amplified by social media and public scrutiny. It also brings attention to the complex nature of domestic violence law in Australia, where emotional abuse, online harassment, and reputational harm can form the basis of legal intervention.
Observers of the case note that while Donnelly’s application is unusual, it reflects a broader shift toward recognizing that both men and women can be affected by coercive or defamatory behavior in high-profile settings.
Both parties are expected to submit further evidence before the matter resumes in court later this year.
