Married At First Sight’s Ryan Donnelly has dismissed Jacqui Burfoot and Clint Rice’s engagement announcement as nothing more than a planned ‘publicity stunt’.
Rice, 43, made the shock proposal during a MAFS viewing party in Sydney on Sunday evening.
In footage shared to TikTok, the Tasmanian businessman is seen on bended knee popping the question to his ladylove, 29, before producing an impressive diamond ring.
It didn’t take long for the news to reach Burfoot’s former MAFS TV groom and other cast members who were attending Daily Mail Australia’s exclusive Reunion Party at the Ovolo Hotel in Sydney’s Woolloomooloo.
Donnelly didn’t mince words after viewing the clip.
‘I was just want to say cheers to the happy couple,’ he began, while holding a beer.
Married At First Sight’s Ryan Donnelly (pictured centre) has dismissed Jacqui Burfoot and Clint Rice’s engagement announcement as nothing more than a planned ‘publicity stunt’
Rice, 43, made the shock proposal during a MAFS viewing party in Sydney on Sunday evening. In footage shared to So Dramatic, the Tasmanian businessman is seen on bended knee popping the question to his ladylove, 29, before producing an impressive diamond ring. Pictured: Jacqui Burfoot and Clint Rice
‘It was completely candid and unplanned, not a publicity stunt, I’m so happy,’ he continued.
Elsewhere, Ryan made fun of Jacqui’s background as a jeweller.
‘Oh, [was the ring] Jacqueline Lee Jewelry, maybe? he added sarcastically.
After hearing that the ring was not from Jacqui’s business, Ryan took a further dig.
‘Sorry, we’re dealing with class here.’
Footage from the DMA event shows Ryan could hardly contain his laughter as he watched the loved-up couple’s viral moment.
Other cast members were also in hysterics as Jacqui planted a joyous kiss on Clint’s lips.
Later in the footage, Jacqui proudly flashed her blinding diamond ring to her adoring MAFS fans as she grinned with glee.
It comes after Ryan Donnelly sensationally claimed that his on-screen bride Jacqui was ‘never really on the show to find love’.
Donnelly didn’t mince words after viewing the clip. ‘I was just want to say cheers to the happy couple,’ he began, while holding a beer. ‘It was completely candid and unplanned, not a publicity stunt, I’m so happy,’ he continued
In a no-holds-barred interview with Daily Mail Australia, Ryan, 37, revealed how Jacqui formed a secret connection with fellow groom Clint while they were still married, all while maintaining what he now calls ‘an agenda’ to control her narrative and become the show’s breakout star.
Ryan didn’t hold back when asked why he thought his marriage with Jacqui imploded so dramatically.
‘Her motivation was to be the main character (of the show), I think,’ he said bluntly.
Ryan also addressed the worst-kept secret of the season — Jacqui’s post-show relationship with fellow groom Clint Rice — revealing their secret connection began while they were still ‘married’ on the show.
‘She admitted to me one night, she’s like, “After one night when I was really upset, I actually called Clint at 3am”.
‘They had a conversation over the phone about her being so upset with the experiment, with me, with Rhi, with everything.’
Ryan claims this was the moment he realised something was going on behind the scenes.
‘My suspicions ended up being confirmed. After that, I was like, “You’ve made a joke of our time here.” Literally.’
