MAFS UK star Ella on being show's first transgender bride: 'I don't want to say I'm a role model'

Married at First Sight UK features its first transgender bride, Ella, who tells Yahoo UK that she doesn't want to call herself "a role model" despite making history by being on the show.

Ella's decision to join the programme marks the first time a transgender person has appeared on the show, where several brides and grooms walk down the aisle and say 'I do' to a total stranger. This year's edition of the social experiment is the most diverse yet, as it also features bride Jay, who is disabled.

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"I'm really proud of me and Jay, but I'm also proud of everyone," Ella says. "When you watch the show you'll see that everyone has a story. Mine is probably more shocking because it hasn't been done before, but I'm also proud to do it and I'm really proud of Jay for representing her community."

She adds, "I feel a lot of pressure to represent, so I don't wanna say I'm a role model, I can only be me and talk on behalf of me, but I'm so proud of everyone.

"I'm proud of myself, that I'm that one person that's made history and that there's little boys and girls who are trans, or want to transition, that can now have someone like me to look up to, hopefully, if I've done a good job. It's amazing, I'm glad that Channel 4 has done it."

Peggy, who is also a bride on the show, adds that she feels it's already "hard for us saying we got married to a stranger, let alone Ella and Jay" and said to Ella that she "must feel exposed, it must be the hardest thing in the world."

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"There shouldn't be a need for acceptance because gender shouldn't define you," she went on.

Jay, who lost her hand when she was born, also spoke to Yahoo UK about representing the disabled community, and she urged people all around the world to love themselves.

She says, "It doesn't matter who you are, just love yourself, be proud. Don't let your demons bother you, because that little person in the back of your head saying you can't do it... you can do it.

"Don't let social media or anything put you down on what is perceived to be the right way. You're you and embrace it."

Reflecting on her experience on the programme, Jay adds, "I'm one of those people that I've always been stuck in my comfort zone, and it was hard for me to escape it, and for me to get what I did, obviously I'm talking about the experiment, it's mental, it's mad and I'm really proud of myself."

Charlene Douglas, one of the show's resident experts, said the show's more diverse cast "reflects real life" and tells Yahoo UK: "We see different people, but when we're all together we're just seeing the individuals, we're seeing Ella, Jay, [and] Porscha.

"I'm hopeful that that's what the viewers will see... this inclusiveness is the reason why.Married at First Sight UK is the most important show."

Married at First Sight UK airs Monday to Thursday at 9pm on E4.