Married At First Sight's producers have pulled off their most twisted challenge yet.

The controversial task, titled 'Is the Grass Greener on the Other Side?', will be the focus of this week's episodes. I previously reported it wreaked havoc on the few remaining couples, and was even described as 'sickening' by show insiders. 

The task sees the brides and grooms given a choice of staying with their original partner, or exploring a new connection with a scientifically 'better' match.

But it was a trick question - because anyone who agreed to meet their 'back-up' option automatically failed the challenge in the eyes of the relationship experts. 

Now I can exclusively reveal which participants took the bait, and what happened after they made their 'deal with the devil'...

Awhina's match: Tim King 

Married At First Sight's producers have pulled off their most twisted challenge yet. (Pictured: Dave Hand and Jamie Marinos)

Married At First Sight's producers have pulled off their most twisted challenge yet. (Pictured: Dave Hand and Jamie Marinos) 

The controversial task, titled 'Is the Grass Greener on the Other Side?', will be the focus of this week's episodes. I previously reported it wreaked havoc on the few remaining couples, and was even described as 'sickening' by show insiders. (Pictured: MAFS experts, from left, Alessandra Rampolla, Mel Schilling and John Aiken)

The controversial task, titled 'Is the Grass Greener on the Other Side?', will be the focus of this week's episodes. I previously reported it wreaked havoc on the few remaining couples, and was even described as 'sickening' by show insiders. (Pictured: MAFS experts, from left, Alessandra Rampolla, Mel Schilling and John Aiken) 

Awhina Rutene, herself a disability carer, was paired with Tim King, an NDIS worker from the Gold Coast.

On paper, the two made perfect sense, sharing similar career paths and values. But was there chemistry?

I spoke to Tim this week and he explained how he ended up as Awhina's 'back-up' after previously being scouted as a main cast member.

He tells me, 'I was supposed to be an original contestant but my bride bailed, so I went off to Europe. Then they called me back as an intruder groom, but two days before I was meant to go on, I got a call saying they went with another guy.

'I was called back again when my original bride decided to come back, but I was still in Europe, so they found a replacement groom for her.'

After these false starts, he got the call to be a back-up in the 'Grass is Greener' task.

Tim insists that while he 'hit it off with Awhina', he wasn't on the show to steal anyone's wife and so offered a sympathetic ear.

'She was nice, but she wasn't my type. I just played a counsellor role. I didn't want to be the homewrecker,' he tells me.

Awhina Rutene (pictured), herself a disability carer, was paired with Tim King, an NDIS worker from the Gold Coast
I spoke to Tim (pictured) this week and he explained how he ended up as Awhina's 'back-up' after previously being scouted as a main cast member
 

Awhina Rutene (left), herself a disability carer, was paired with Tim King (right), an NDIS worker from the Gold Coast 

Tim insists that while he 'hit it off with Awhina', he wasn't on the show to steal anyone's wife and so offered a sympathetic ear

Tim insists that while he 'hit it off with Awhina', he wasn't on the show to steal anyone's wife and so offered a sympathetic ear 

Beth's match: Oisin Scully 

Beth Kelly had a very different experience.

She was paired with Irish personal trainer Oisin Scully, who works at the popular Sydney gym Acero, which is owned by celebrity fitness guru Jono Castano and his ex-wife Amy.

While Oisin was eager to make an impression, Beth wasn't entirely convinced.

Oisin, like Tim, was one of the applicants who came close to being a main cast member this season but, for various reasons, didn't make the cut. 

While Awhina and Tim got along well and had similar values, Beth, whose husband is Teejay Halkias, found Oisin 'arrogant' and wasn't shy about telling him so.

'There was no spark. She thought he was full of himself,' a source tells me.

Beth wasn't seriously looking for a new man when she agreed to the task, insiders say. 'She just wanted to open Teejay's eyes and make him appreciate her more.' 

Beth Kelly (pictured) was paired with Irish personal trainer Oisin Scully, whom she found 'arrogant'
Oisin (pictured) works at the popular Sydney gym Acero, which is owned by celebrity fitness guru Jono Castano and his ex-wife Amy
 

Beth Kelly (left) was paired with Irish personal trainer Oisin Scully, whom she found 'arrogant'

Oisin, like Tim, was one of the applicants who came close to being a main cast member this season but, for various reasons, didn't make the cut

Oisin, like Tim, was one of the applicants who came close to being a main cast member this season but, for various reasons, didn't make the cut 

Teejay's match: Tara-Lee Preston

Teejay was paired with Sydney sales consultant Tara-Lee Preston, a fiery redhead who soon made him reconsider his loyalty to Beth.

Unlike some of the other matches, Teejay and Tara hit it off effortlessly.

A production source reveals: 'Teejay was loving the chemistry he had with his back-up match. They just vibed instantly.

'He had more spark with Tara in one day than he had with his actual bride in weeks.'

Teejay Halkias (pictured) was paired with Sydney sales consultant Tara-Lee Preston, a fiery redhead who soon made him reconsider his loyalty to Beth
Pictured: Tara-Lee Preston
 

Teejay Halkias (left) was paired with Sydney sales consultant Tara-Lee Preston (right), a fiery redhead who soon made him reconsider his loyalty to Beth 

Paul's match: Hannah  

Paul Antoine's back-up was a woman named Hannah.

She has been the most elusive of all the intruders in the Grass is Greener challenge. I don't even know her last name.

What I do know is she gave Paul a hard time on their date when she grilled him about why he was even there if he insisted he was 'happy' with his wife Carina Mirabile.

Paul insisted he was just 'curious', but Hannah wasn't buying it.

'She called him out straight away. She told him, "If you were happy, you wouldn't be here,"' my source reveals.

Carina, who didn't agree to take part in the task, was not impressed when she later learned about Paul's 'curiosity'.

'She felt betrayed,' adds my insider. 'This challenge tore them apart.'

Paul regretted his decision almost instantly, I am told.

His choice would have dire consequences for his relationship with Carina, who rightly considered it 'emotional cheating'.

Paul Antoine (pictured arriving on his date) was paired with a woman named Hannah, who grilled him about why he was even there if he was 'happy' with his wife Carina Mirabile
 

Paul Antoine (pictured arriving on his date) was paired with a woman named Hannah, who grilled him about why he was even there if he was 'happy' with his wife Carina Mirabile

Paul regretted his decision almost instantly. His choice would have dire consequences for his relationship with wife Carina Mirabile (right), who rightly considered it 'emotional cheating'
 

Paul regretted his decision almost instantly. His choice would have dire consequences for his relationship with wife Carina Mirabile (right), who rightly considered it 'emotional cheating'

'[Carina] felt betrayed. This challenge tore them apart,' says an insider

'[Carina] felt betrayed. This challenge tore them apart,' says an insider

Adrian's match: Maxi

Adrian Araouzou was matched with Afrikaner wannabe influencer Maxi, and it seems like there might be something between them.

The two have been liking each other's photos on Instagram since filming wrapped, sparking speculation their pairing may have worked out after all...

Adrian Araouzou (pictured) was matched with Afrikaner wannabe influencer Maxi, and it seems like there might be something between them
The two have been liking each other's photos on Instagram since filming wrapped, sparking speculation their pairing may have worked out after all...
 

Adrian Araouzou (left) was matched with Afrikaner wannabe influencer Maxi (right), and it seems like there might be something between them 

What happens next? 

A production insider tells me the challenge was devastating for certain marriages.

'We lined up potential matches for everyone - essentially a Plan B,' my source says.

'The participants were asked if they wanted to meet their back-up… It was f**ked-up because even happy couples were strongly encouraged to "explore their options".

'This twist ruined marriages. Some ended things right then and there. It was heartbreaking to watch.'

The task was introduced in the early hours of the morning, with participants separated and forced to make the decision alone, without knowing what their partner had chosen.

'Once they made their choice, they had no idea if their partner had said yes or no,' the insider adds.

'It created chaos. The whole thing was designed to rattle them, and it worked. Some people said no without hesitation, while others decided to meet their back-up and instantly regretted it.

'Even for those who didn't regret it, it caused massive trust issues with their partner. It really tested who was truly committed to the process and who was willing to risk it all.'

Who else said yes?

Controversial duo Jacqui Burfoot and Ryan Donnelly and bride Jamie Marinos also 'failed' the challenge in the eyes of the experts by agreeing to meet their back-ups.

In a humiliating twist, Jamie's back-up stood her up on their date, leaving her embarrassed and regretting her decision to leave Dave Hand.

Sources also reveal Dave was 'absolutely disappointed' in Jamie's choice to meet her back-up, even though he didn't show up in the end. 

I can confirm the only participants who refused to take part in the task were Carina, Dave, Jeff Gobbels and Rhi Disljenkovic.

Controversial couple Jacqui Burfoot and Ryan Donnelly (pictured) also failed the challenge in the eyes of the experts by agreeing to meet their back-ups
Pictured: Jacqueline Burfoot
 

Controversial couple Jacqui Burfoot (right) and Ryan Donnelly (left) also failed the challenge in the eyes of the experts by agreeing to meet their back-ups

In a humiliating twist, Jamie Marinos' (pictured) back-up stood her up on their date, leaving her embarrassed and regretting her decision to leave Dave Hand
 

In a humiliating twist, Jamie Marinos' (pictured) back-up stood her up on their date, leaving her embarrassed and regretting her decision to leave Dave Hand 

Experts defend the task

MAFS expert John Aiken has defended the task. He told me in a previous interview the challenge was necessary to push the participants out of their comfort zones.

'At Married At First Sight, we're always looking for ways to challenge the participants and see how deep their commitment runs,' he said.

'This task was about forcing them to confront the idea of temptation and whether they truly believe in the match they've been given.' 

Despite the fallout, expert John Aiken (left) defended the decision. He told Daily Mail Australia that the challenge was necessary to push the participants out of their comfort zones
 
 

Despite the fallout, expert John Aiken (left) defended the decision. He told me in a previous interview the challenge was necessary to push the participants out of their comfort zones 

Sexologist Alessandra Rampolla echoed his sentiments, adding: 'It's always fascinating to see how people react when faced with difficult choices.

'The task wasn't about breaking couples apart - it was about seeing who was willing to fight for their relationship and who wasn't.'

The brutal aftermath

With trust shattered, relationships in turmoil and some couples calling it quits entirely, MAFS' most ruthless final task is no doubt one of the most shocking twists in the show's sordid history.

And with weeks left in the experiment, there's no telling what chaos will unfold next.