MAFS Australia viewers were utterly enamoured with vibrant bride Katie Johnston in Tuesday 4 March’s episode, as her emotional moment in a bridal shop tugged at heartstrings. The 37 year old entrepreneur opened up on camera about her past romantic struggles and her high hopes for her MAFS journey. She was on the lookout for a husband who was not only kind and honest but also great at communicating and ready to jump into family life. The MAFS matchmakers set her up with Tim Gromie, the self-styled ‘nice guy’ and 38 year old primary school teacher piecing his life back together post a harsh break up. However, as Katie tried on wedding dresses before meeting her soon-to-be husband, she couldn’t hold back the tears, sharing with viewers her feelings of being an imposter and her fears that she might never be loved or worthy of love, since she often isn’t asked out after someone meets her.
Katie broke down while trying on bridal gowns
(Image: E4)
Fans poured out sympathy and encouragement online, with messages like: “Oh my god, Katie you are so lovable,” as others shared similar sentiments. “Katie is having a moment. VERY overwhelming. Oh Katie, she deserves love as much as any other person,” said another viewer, while a third shared: “Katie is breaking my heart here,” and another implored: “Someone hug that woman right now.” The episode took a dramatic turn, leaving Katie’s hopes for love hanging by a thread. As she made her way to the altar at her outdoor wedding, she expressed her longing: “I wanna feel like someone finally gets me. I want to find someone who wants to be in something with me. It’s everyone’s dream to find their person. It would mean everything that this works,” reports the Mirror. Yet, despite groom Tim saying ‘I do’, he bolted moments later, leaving a producer scrambling to uncover the issue. “This is totally not what I wanted,” Tim confessed. “I normally go for short, petite, blonde, there’s just no attraction, there’s nothing there. It’s disappointing and I’m a bit embarrassed that I have come here now. I don’t want to be here. I feel like I have wasted my time and I want to run away,” he continued, even as the producer urged him to reconsider, pointing out his hasty judgement after mere minutes of meeting his bride.
Tim stormed off shortly after marrying Katie
(Image: E4)
Audiences were quick to draw parallels between Tim’s cold feet and a couple from the most recent MAFS UK series. One viewer commented, “Katie and Tim are the Australian Emma and Casper basically. A lovely woman with a man who thinks he deserves better and god only knows why.” Another was baffled by Tim’s behaviour: “I’m confused she is what Tim asked for then he spits his dummy out. I really don’t get these men,” while a third lamented, “Well that is absolutely devastating – I think Katie is in for a tough series.” Despite sticking around for the reception, Katie soon picked up on Tim’s lack of enthusiasm about their pairing. His reluctance to embrace her during their wedding photoshoot (“I went for a cuddle and it freaked him out”) raised red flags. She even questioned him during their reception meal, asking if he was “looking for the exits”. After they cut their cake, she asked him for a kiss, only to be turned down by Tim, leaving a confused Katie wondering what was happening. One viewer didn’t mince words about his conduct, stating: “Tim self proclaimed ‘nice guy’ is actually the worst human who’s ever been on the show.”
