EXCLUSIVE: In a surprise twist, Married At First Sight's Eliot Donovan and Jamie Marinos have become a much-loved duo since the end of the experiment.
Speculation has swirled around their relationship with many fans questioning if romance is building between the pair.
Speaking to 9Entertainment, Eliot cleared the rumours once and for all: "Jamie is an absolute babe and I would be very, very lucky to be in a romantic relationship with her but at this point in time, we are just friends. I would say we are very close friends."
The 35-year-old continued: "I'm not in any kind of position to be navigating a romantic relationship but I wouldn't rule anything out and I am absolutely loving going on this journey with Jamie by my side."
Eliot spoke highly of his friendship with Jamie and reflected on just how it had grown since meeting during the filming of MAFS.
"We were sort of friends during the show but we were never really close," he said.
Eliot explained that it was when MAFS began airing that they each empathised with each other's position as they watched their respective marriages play out on TV.
"Watching the show made me feel for Jamie," Eliot said.
"We actually didn't have each other's number, [Jamie] reached out to one of the other cast members and got my number."
It was the text message that Jamie sent that spurred on the friendship to come.
"She kind of said the same thing to me. She really empathised with my situation in the experiment and we just struck up this friendship that was really natural."
The former groom noted that a shared sense of humour and similar communication styles certainly helped things grow between them.
"She's the first person I call if I have something come up or there's some news," Eliot added.
While fans hoped to see Eliot and Jamie's connection blossom into something more Eliot served a reminder that relationships aren't always instant.
"Things need to grow organically and there are certain things to take into account," he said noting the pair live in different states.
"Jamie isn't really looking to move to Queensland, she's got a lot going on in Melbourne and I'm very settled here in Queensland and am not looking to move.
"I have my family nearby, young nieces I want to see grow up. So [Jamie and I] are just being mature adults and taking things as they come."
In Jamie's own interview with 9Entertainment, she addressed rumours by explaining that her and Eliot's relationship is "not a publicity stunt".
"I hang out heaps with Eliot. He's become a very good, very close person to my life so I'm really appreciative of Eliot," she said.
