Former Married At First Sight UK groom Georges Berthonneau has revealed he nearly appeared on Love Island — only to be left out at the last minute after taking part in a pre-show “dry run.” Georges says he took part in the casting dry run for Love Island’s third series and was convinced he had a spot, but ended up the only man not picked when the girls were asked to step forward. His account, given to The Sun, has sparked fresh discussion about the ruthless mechanics behind reality-TV casting.
The dry run that didn’t lead to the villa
According to Georges, the dry run felt like a full dress rehearsal. He recalled walking out to introduce himself — “Hi girls, my name is Georges, I’m 22, I’m from Southampton” — and being invited to wait as the girls decided who they fancied. “No one stepped forwards,” he said, adding that he was the only male contestant not chosen that day. The experience left him both embarrassed and surprised, particularly because producers later told him he’d been placed on a waiting list.
From near-miss to MAFS UK
Georges later found fame on Married At First Sight UK in 2023, where his brief marriage to Peggy Rose Lawrence and subsequent split kept him in the public eye. His revelation that he “was set for Love Island” before his MAFS appearance adds an unusual footnote to his reality-TV résumé — and underlines how contestants move between shows and casting processes behind the scenes. Georges says he spent weeks keeping in touch with producers during the series, but never received the call to enter the villa.
Reactions and what this says about casting
Reality-TV fans and insiders often talk about the pressure of initial casting processes, and Georges’s story is a reminder that these auditions can be emotionally brutal. Casting “dry runs” are designed to test chemistry and screen presence, but they can also produce very public moments of rejection when filmed or recounted. For viewers, the takeaway is that the polished, confident contestants who appear on-screen have often been through numerous trials — and some talented hopefuls never make the final edit.
Editorial insight
This revelation will fuel ongoing curiosity about how reality shows select their cast. Georges’s account — that he entertained production and fellow contestants yet still failed to secure a place — exposes the subjective nature of casting decisions. Producers look for a mix of chemistry, narrative potential and camera-ready confidence; a single misstep or mismatch can be the difference between a starting spot and a name on the waiting list. For Georges, the near-miss became a different kind of route into reality TV, but the story reinforces that behind every “love at first sight” moment is a lengthy and often unforgiving casting machine.
Conclusion:
MAFS UK groom Georges Berthonneau’s admission that he “was set for Love Island but was brutally snubbed” offers a candid glimpse into the competitive, sometimes humiliating world of reality-TV casting. While Georges ultimately found exposure on MAFS UK, his story highlights how close many hopefuls come to major reality breakthroughs — and how quickly those opportunities can evaporate. Fans can expect more headlines as former hopefuls and cast members continue to pull back the curtain on how their TV careers began.
