In the latest scandal to rock MAFS, Monday’s episode saw Danny Hewitt accused by his wife Bec Zacharia of saying Gia Fleur was his ‘type’ just days into the experiment.
Bec is devastated to learn her on-screen husband may have eyes for her arch nemesis.
What exactly Danny said about Gia – and what he meant by it – is a key issue on the show this week, with cast members and viewers divided over what really happened.
According to multiple sources, Danny, 34, said something to the effect he would have been better off paired with Gia, 35, after realising their chemistry on a smoke break.
But these same insiders stress nothing physical happened between them, and his remarks were said openly in the context of a loud group setting.
‘He said it at the table,’ a spy told the Mail. ‘It wasn’t a secret confession or anything. But it landed badly.’
In the latest scandal to rock MAFS, Monday’s episode saw Danny Hewitt (pictured) accused by his wife Bec Zacharia of saying Gia Fleur was his ‘type’ just days into the experiment
What exactly Danny said about Gia (left) – and what he meant by it – is a key issue on the show this week, with cast members divided over what really happened. (Right: Bec Zacharia)
Another source added: ‘There was alcohol involved, everyone was talking over each other, and it was one of those comments that should never have been said.
‘But once it was out there, it couldn’t be taken back.’
While there was no suggestion Danny wanted to leave Bec for Gia, the damage was immediate.
Bec, who was seated nearby, clocked the interaction – and the timing, sources say, could not have been worse.
The couple had just returned from a week-long honeymoon in Fiji that insiders said was mostly intimate and fun – even though the show highlighted Danny’s apparent lack of physical interest in his wife.
‘They actually had a great time together,’ a source close to Bec told the Mail.
‘What viewers saw was half an hour of the worst moment. What they didn’t see was seven days of connection.’
After the honeymoon and leading into the first dinner party, Bec was apparently in a vulnerable state when the couple were separated and communication became strained.
The couple had just returned from a honeymoon in Fiji that insiders said was mostly intimate and fun – though the show highlighted Danny’s apparent lack of physical interest in his wife
After the honeymoon and leading into the first dinner party, Bec was apparently in an vulnerable state when the couple were separated and communication became strained
Sources say Danny withdrew emotionally around that time, leaving Bec questioning where she stood in their marriage
Sources say Danny withdrew emotionally around that time, leaving Bec questioning where she stood in their marriage.
‘When you marry a stranger, sleep with them, then feel them distancing the next day, it messes with your head,’ a friend said.
‘Any woman would feel insecure in that situation.’
It was in that headspace that Bec interpreted Danny’s comment about Gia being his type not as idle talk, but as confirmation she was about to be rejected on national TV.
‘She didn’t accuse him of cheating,’ a source said. ‘She feared being humiliated.’
Behind the scenes, producers recognised the explosive potential of the storyline.
‘Once the comment was out there, it became the focus,’ an insider said. ‘The cast were being asked about it – repeatedly – during their piece-to-camera interviews.’
Both Danny and Bec attempted to shut the narrative down as it was happening, insisting to their co-stars and producers that it was being blown out of proportion.
‘They were both saying, “This isn’t even a thing, why are we still talking about it?”‘ said an on-set source.
However, the storyline continued to be revisited across multiple filming days, placing further strain on the pair’s already fragile relationship.
Friends of Bec say she became increasingly distressed as production continued.
‘She felt like she was being painted as jealous and insecure,’ a source said.
Both Danny and Bec attempted to shut the narrative down as it was happening, insisting to their co-stars and producers that it was being blown out of proportion
Gia Fleur pictured with her on-screen husband Scott McCristal
Danny’s camp maintains that while he did make the comment about Gia, it was never his intention to undermine his marriage or pursue another bride.
‘He admits it was a stupid thing to say,’ a spy said. ‘But he never acted on it. He never pursued Gia. He never crossed a line.’
There was no attempt to get Gia alone or have a private conversation with her, they added. ‘He was careless with his words, not disloyal with his actions.’
Things between Danny and Bec would later stabilise after he reassured her of his loyalty and she defended him in front of the group.
‘By that point, they had started rebuilding trust,’ an insider explained. ‘But the damage from the narrative was already sort of done.’
One source said the Danny-Bec-Gia storyline was heavily manufactured in post-production, with scenes shown in a different order to when they occurred during filming, making it appear as though the saga escalated earlier than it actually did.
‘That’s why people keep mentioning places that hadn’t even aired yet,’ they explained. ‘It’s confusing.’
Despite the competing versions of events, insiders on both sides agree on one point: the situation had a profound emotional impact on Bec.
‘Whatever people think of Danny, Bec wore the fallout,’ a friend of the bride’s said. ‘She was genuinely hurt.’
Married At First Sight continues Tuesday at 7.30pm on Channel Nine
