Ashley Dommett is one of the grooms on the 2025 season of Married At First Sight UK, a 35-year-old operations director from Bridgend who entered the experiment hoping to find a lifelong partner. Describing himself as an “old school gent,” his journey has been marked by immediate challenges, as his bride, Grace, questioned their connection from the very first moment at the altar.
Who is Ashley Dommett?
Ashley Dommett is a 35-year-old operations director from Bridgend, Wales. He works for a marine construction company, a role that has involved traveling and working across the globe. He has lived what he considers a full life and is now ready to leave his dating days behind him and settle down.
Ashley is a father to a young son, whom he has described as “my absolute world.” He has been engaged twice, the second time when his former partner was pregnant with his child. Although that relationship ended, he has stated it was the right decision for them at the time.
Outside of work and family, Ashley is an outdoors enthusiast. He loves surfing, camping, walking, and rugby. He is a former rugby player, and his athletic background is part of the disciplined, structured personality he brings into the experiment. He made it clear to the experts that he was looking for a partner who would join him for a day outdoors or a trip to the pub.
What was Ashley looking for on MAFS UK?
Ashley came to the experiment with a specific idea of his perfect partner. He told the experts he was hoping for a woman with blonde hair, bright eyes, and nice teeth. He also wanted someone who goes to the gym and shares his love for an active, social lifestyle.
His dating history includes a past relationship with a Miss Universe contestant, which set a high bar for his romantic expectations. Despite his very specific type, the experts matched him with Grace, a 31-year-old midwife from Norwich who is a brunette. While Grace has bright eyes and a warm smile, she immediately recognized that she did not fit the physical mold Ashley had asked for.
Ashley and Grace’s Rocky Start
From the moment they met at the altar, Ashley and Grace’s journey was filled with tension. Ashley was instantly smitten with his new bride, gushing about her and praising the experts. For Grace, however, the experience was very different. She was overwhelmed and did not feel an instant spark, leading her to break down in tears and seriously contemplate leaving the experiment before the wedding photos were even taken.
“I wouldn’t say he’s my type. I’m feeling no instant spark,” Grace confessed to the cameras immediately after the ceremony.
The awkwardness continued at the wedding reception, where Grace offered her cheek when asked to kiss. Ashley interpreted this as a sign of her having strong morals, but it was an early sign of their mismatched affection levels. He admitted to the cameras, “It feels a little bit of a knock back because I like someone who is affectionate.”
Clashing Over Values
The couple’s first major disagreement arose during their wedding dinner when Ashley revealed his “old school” views on relationships. He explained that he was raised to believe the man should be the breadwinner of the house. This did not sit well with Grace, who identifies as a liberal feminist.
“God, here we go. It’s 2025, Ashley, men don’t have to be the moneymaker and the woman stays home,” Grace responded in a confessional.
The tension escalated when Grace’s friend directly asked Ashley if he was a feminist. He initially replied, “100 per cent no,” but later clarified his statement. He explained that he considers himself an “old school gent” who believes in treating women with the utmost respect. After more discussion, he and Grace’s friends concluded that he does believe in feminist principles but was unfamiliar with the definition, even joking that he wouldn’t be “burning his bra.”
A Glimmer of Hope and New Struggles
As the experiment progressed, Ashley and Grace appeared to find some common ground. During their honeymoon, Grace was seen becoming more affectionate, and she admitted she was happy to be in the experiment with him. However, new challenges quickly emerged.
The couple faced intimacy issues, with Grace later sharing that she felt anxious and pressured to be affectionate to keep Ashley “sweet,” describing the dynamic as feeling “transactional.” Their struggles came to a head during a commitment ceremony where they sought help from the experts.
Advice from Family
During the in-laws week, Grace met Ashley’s mother and sister. Ashley explained to his family that the journey had not been easy, citing their different views as a key source of friction. He told them, “Just picked different people with different views. Like Grace is a liberal feminist, and I’ve said right from the very beginning that I was an old-school gent.”
Ashley’s sister offered a blunt but realistic perspective on their relationship. She emphasized that a successful marriage requires constant effort.
“Can I add something in there? That is marriage. It just is graft every day. If you haven’t got the graft to put into it, then you’re not ready for marriage,” she told them.
When Grace left the table, his sister shared her concerns more directly with Ashley, observing that he seemed to be constantly apologizing. She advised him, “You also cannot fight for something that’s not fighting back.”
In response, Ashley remained hopeful, stating, “If I felt like she wasn’t trying I wouldn’t be here… The Grace now has softened so much since the wedding.”
Are Ashley and Grace Still Together?
As of the latest episodes, it is still unknown if Ashley and Grace decided to stay together. Because the season is still airing, the participants are required to keep their relationship status private. However, viewers have noted that the two do not follow each other on Instagram, which has sparked speculation that they may have parted ways.
Their story continues to unfold on screen, with previews hinting at more clashes over their fundamental values and communication styles. Whether they can bridge their differences remains the central question of their MAFS UK journey.
Also Read: MAFS UK’s Ella Morgan Says Famous Star Used Transphobic Slur Against Her
Credits: Capital FM, Wales Online, Cosmopolitan UK
