'I won't accept breadcrumbs any more' - MAFs star Amy Christophers on love, heartache and freezing her eggs

Amy Christophers’ roller-coaster relationship with her Married At First Sight UK groom Joshua Christie didn’t make for easy viewing. In the explosive 2021 series of the show, the pair locked horns over everything – from where a bottle of wine should be kept to Joshua messaging another bride before filming. Viewers then saw Amy’s dream of true love disintegrate as the pair split up shortly after the final vow ceremony. With the ninth series of the hit E4 show returning later this summer, the 37-year-old former glamour model and qualified football referee for the FA opens up about how reality television negatively affected her career and recognising her self-worth….

Hi, Amy! Have you got happy memories of MAFS UK or do you regret signing up?

Ha, well at the time I thought, “Why not?” I thought somebody would give me a husband and I’d find true love, job done, but it didn’t work out that way. Also, I’d spent a long time building up my sports career and knowledge but when I came out of MAFS, I was told that some of the sports brands didn’t want to work with me any more. It felt like because I’d done a bit of reality TV, I’d lost the respect I’d earned. It was a blow. Just because I’d done a reality show doesn’t mean it wiped all my knowledge. Also, I’m not that person any more.

I’ve watched it and think, “Why did I put up with that? Why didn’t I stand up for myself more?”Do you think the negative career impact would be the same for a man?I don’t like to say, “Oh, because I’m a woman I’m treated differently,” but the proof is in the pudding. You have men coming out of Love Island like Chris Hughes, who does sports presenting, and he has more respect now than he did before. It seems a bit rich that the guys seem to become more respected, but I was just seen as a reality star instead of a sports presenter who did a reality show.

Has it put you off doing any more reality TV?

I get offers but I’m a bit scared to say yes. I don’t want to be back in a position where I’m not being booked because I’m doing reality TV. I’d love to do something like Celebrity MasterChef or Celebrity SAS, which would push me to my limits, but I don’t want to lose the respect again.What are you doing sports-wise at the moment?Football is my first love so I’ve got stuff lined up for the Premier League next season, as well as the rugby and horse racing events.

I’m planning to start a podcast involving WAGs. I don’t want to say exactly what the format is but I know it’s never been done before, so it’s going to be a game-changer.Before all this, 20 years ago you had a glamour modelling career – you don’t look old enough!Well I’m 37 now and I was glamour modelling at 18. I look at 18-year-olds now and think, “Oh my God, you shouldn’t be getting your boobs out!” But back in my day you could do Page 3 when you were 16. Times have changed so much.

What would be your dream job now?

I’d love to be a presenter on Talksport – that would be the pinnacle for me. I look at someone like Laura Woods and she’s absolutely killing it. She’s like the Holly Willoughby of sport and that’s who I’d like to be, too. You announced a new romance last October. How’s that going?Well, I’m single now. I’m still dealing with and healing from that relationship. I know my worth now and I know what I want and don’t want. I want a best friend. I want us to know the good, bad and ugly about each other. I do want to settle down and have children one day and I’m in a better place to find that now.

Would you consider freezing your eggs?

I don’t think so. I definitely want children but I don’t want to do it alone. I think if it didn’t happen naturally, I would consider adoption or become a foster mum.

What relationship lessons have you learnt since being on MAFS UK?

Well, I won’t accept breadcrumbs any more, when you ask for something and you get the bare minimum so you’re just grateful. I’ve realised I’ve put everything into that other person and forgotten about myself. So I know in my next relationship to keep my own cup topped up before giving to someone else. In the past it’s been dehydrated and cracking because I’ve given that other person my everything.

Do you try to remember the advice the MAFS UK experts dish out?

Yes and actually I’ve been DM-ing all the relationship experts I know – Mel [Schilling], Charlene [Douglas], Paul [C Brunson] and Anna Williamson [from Celebs Go Dating ] – for advice recently. Also I said, “You must know loads of hot single guys applying for your shows – isn’t there anyone you can set me up with?!”

Amy Christophers was speaking in conjunction with slingo.com