A runaway groom from Married At First Sight is set to make a shocking return to the 2025 series just weeks after his dramatic exit.
Daily Mail Australia can reveal that Eliot Donovan, who infamously walked out just hours after his wedding to Lauren Hall, is making a sensational comeback that has left both his ex-girlfriend and fellow contestants reeling.
The news comes after his ex-girlfriend Lauren was paired with a new partner, professional golfer Clint Rice.
Sources close to the show have revealed that the cast and crew were left in disbelief when Eliot suddenly reappeared on set, arriving late for dinner.
“It was like the final plot twist,” said a source close to the show.
‘Lauren and Clint were just starting to get comfortable with each other when Eliot suddenly appeared. Lauren’s expression was priceless – she was completely stunned. And Clint? He was not impressed at all.’
‘Lauren’s new boyfriend, Clint, gave her everything she needed.’
Eliot’s abrupt exit made headlines when he walked out just hours after his wedding to Lauren, citing a lack of connection.
In a twist no one saw coming, Married At First Sight groom Eliot Donovan is set to make a stunning return to the 2025 series just weeks after his dramatic exit.
![Married At First Sight 2025 bombshell: Runaway groom Eliot Donovan set for shocking return... after his girlfriend was matched with another man 7 Daily Mail Australia can reveal that Eliot, who infamously walked out just hours after his wedding to Lauren Hall (pictured), is making a sensational comeback that has left his ex-girlfriend and fellow contestants reeling.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/Married-At-First-Sight-2025-bombshell-Runaway-groom-Eliot-Donovan.jpeg.webp)
Daily Mail Australia can reveal that Eliot, who infamously walked out just hours after his wedding to Lauren Hall (pictured), is making a sensational comeback that has left his ex-girlfriend and fellow contestants reeling.
His return, however, seems to suggest that he has unfinished business, not only with Lauren but also with the other contestants.
According to an informed source, Eliot’s return isn’t just about patching things up with Lauren.
“Eliot feels like he’s been misunderstood,” the source said.
![Married At First Sight 2025 bombshell: Runaway groom Eliot Donovan set for shocking return... after his girlfriend was matched with another man 9 But that's not all: his ex-girlfriend Lauren has also returned to the series, now paired with a new partner, professional golfer Clint Rice (Lauren and Clint pictured).](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1725321062_141_Married-At-First-Sight-2025-bombshell-Runaway-groom-Eliot-Donovan.jpeg.webp)
But that’s not all: his ex-girlfriend Lauren has also returned to the series, now paired with a new partner, professional golfer Clint Rice (Lauren and Clint pictured).
“He’s back to clear his name, but he’s not apologising for his behaviour. He and Lauren weren’t compatible and he hasn’t changed his mind about his desire to end their romance.”
Lauren, who was left heartbroken by Eliot’s abrupt departure, has been grappling with her new relationship with professional golfer Clint, a charismatic and successful golfer known for his calm demeanor under pressure.
“Lauren and Clint were really starting to get along,” the source continued.
“Clint has been a rock for her and she’s enjoying a fresh start. Eliot’s return has definitely complicated things.”
![Married At First Sight 2025 bombshell: Runaway groom Eliot Donovan set for shocking return... after his girlfriend was matched with another man 11 Insiders have revealed that the cast and crew were left in a state of disbelief when Eliot suddenly reappeared on set, arriving late for dinner.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1725321063_708_Married-At-First-Sight-2025-bombshell-Runaway-groom-Eliot-Donovan.jpg.webp)
Insiders have revealed that the cast and crew were left in a state of disbelief when Eliot suddenly reappeared on set, arriving late for dinner.
Eliot’s reappearance has sent shockwaves through the cast.
“There’s a lot of anxiety right now,” the source added. “No one is clear on what the hell is going on.”
‘Eliot’s return has everyone nervous, especially Lauren.’
According to the source, many of the grooms did not get along with Eliot when they met him at the bachelor party.
![Married At First Sight 2025 bombshell: Runaway groom Eliot Donovan set for shocking return... after his girlfriend was matched with another man 13 1725321063 859 Married At First Sight 2025 bombshell Runaway groom Eliot Donovan](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1725321063_859_Married-At-First-Sight-2025-bombshell-Runaway-groom-Eliot-Donovan.jpeg.webp)
“It was like the ultimate plot twist,” said a source close to the show. “Lauren and Clint had just started to feel comfortable with each other when Eliot suddenly showed up.”
![Married At First Sight 2025 bombshell: Runaway groom Eliot Donovan set for shocking return... after his girlfriend was matched with another man 15 Lauren, left heartbroken by Eliot's abrupt departure, has been grappling with her new relationship with professional golfer Clint, a charismatic and successful golfer known for his calm demeanor under pressure.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1725321064_72_Married-At-First-Sight-2025-bombshell-Runaway-groom-Eliot-Donovan.jpeg.webp)
Lauren, left heartbroken by Eliot’s abrupt departure, has been grappling with her new relationship with professional golfer Clint, a charismatic and successful golfer known for his calm demeanor under pressure.
“It will be interesting to see how this plays out.”
Producers are reportedly thrilled with the unexpected drama and describe Eliot’s return as a “game changer” for the season.
“This is the kind of twist that makes MAFS a must-see TV show,” another source shared.
‘The love triangle between Eliot, Lauren and Clint will keep viewers glued to their screens.’
This comes after Daily Mail Australia revealed that Eliot packed her bags and booked a return ticket home before the ink was dry on their marriage certificate.
According to sources close to the show, Donovan had to deal with the pressures of the show and felt overwhelmed by the fast pace of the experiment.
“Eliot just wasn’t prepared for all that intensity,” a source close to the groom revealed.
‘He thought he was, but once they were on their honeymoon, it all became too much and he decided to walk away.’
Photos taken by Daily Mail Australia on August 6 showed the MAFS crew frantically trying to protect Lauren when she arrived alone for the first dinner.
The first commitment ceremony also saw a shocking mass exodus: three couples split up in the first two weeks of filming in an “unprecedented” twist.
“We’re already down to six people and it’s only been two weeks. The pressure on the rest of the cast is enormous and it’s creating a lot of tension,” a source shared.
Joining newcomer Clint and Lauren as fellow intruders to spice things up are couple Teejay Halkias and Bethy Kelly, who have already tied the knot in scenes filmed on Tuesday.
Amid the casting chaos, Daily Mail Australia recently revealed that the new batch of intruders were brought in with one strict condition: bring drama.
![Married At First Sight 2025 bombshell: Runaway groom Eliot Donovan set for shocking return... after his girlfriend was matched with another man 17 After three couples walked out of filming, Daily Mail Australia revealed that a new group of intruders have been brought in to bring the drama (pictured: intruder couple Teejay Halkias and Bethy Kelly)](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/09/1725194919_220_MAFS-2025-English-sweetheart-Bethy-Kelly-promises-to-bring-drama.jpeg.webp)
After three couples walked out of filming, Daily Mail Australia revealed that a new group of intruders have been brought in to bring the drama (pictured: intruder couple Teejay Halkias and Bethy Kelly)
Each of them has been carefully selected for their potential to cause a stir among existing couples after six contestants abruptly left the show, a source revealed.
“They were told from the beginning that they had to create tension and keep the drama flowing,” they shared.
Last season, two of the three intruding couples failed to survive and remained in the experiment for a few days before sensationally abandoning it.