Overnight, reality TV fans have been left in mourning with the shock news MAFS OG couple Alex Garner and Zoe Hendrix have decided to call time on their romance.
The season one stars seemed to have defied the Married At First Sight love curse and were a glimmering light of hope every time we heard of another MAFS split.
But on Tuesday night, a heartbroken Zoe took to Instagram to share a joint statement.
“It is with sadness that Alex and I would like to state that we will be separating for now,” the statement began.
“We are determined to ensure our beautiful daughter Harper-Rose continues to receive the unconditional love and nurturing she deserves from the both of us.”
“Thank you to our followers and friends who have supported us through the highs and lows over the years,” it concluded, alongside a heartbreak emoji.
While Alex’s statement seriously pulled at our heartstrings.
“Zoe and I both went into this experiment with open minds and really hoping to find a partner to share our lives with. We are so fortunate and thankful that we were matched together and have shared many great experiences over the last four years,” he said.
“We share the most important thing in both of our lives Harper Rose and will continue to love her and be the best parents possible. Although Zoe and I have separated our relationship is civil. Thank you to our friends and followers for your continuing support.”
As we come to terms with their shock split, we look back at the way there were.
Be warned, tissues at the ready!
Back to where it all began
Cast your mind back to 2015, the Married At First Sight franchise was a much more low-key, heartwarming offering compared to the partner-swapping, Botoxed antics of 2018.
One of the most captivating couples of the first-ever Aussie series were Alex and Zoe.
At the altar, a very nervous could barely look her new husband in the eye but over the course of the show, the pair fell madly in love.
Zoe was so nervous, she couldn’t even look Alex in the eyes.
A tender moment between husband and wife.
Getting to know each other.
They do!
Zoe tears up during the speeches.
Their first dance as husband and wife.
Making a life together
After the show, the pair moved in together and begun renovating a home in Melbourne.
As they settled into domestic bliss, Zoe was still pinching herself over how lucky they were.
“I think it would be a crazy dream to think you can go on a reality TV show and actually meet someone and fall in love and have a family. If you told me that before, I would have said you’re crazy,” she mused.
But it was preparing to welcome their first child together after suffering a tragic miscarriage that really brought the couple together.
Preparing for their first child together made the couple closer than ever.
“OUR HAPPINESS is on his/her way & as each month passes we get more and more excited and fall more and more in love,” Zoe said alongside this bump snap.
Zoe and Alex confirmed they were expecting in May 2016.
The nation’s first MAFS baby
Harper-Rose Hendrix was born in November, 2016.
“Sitting here holding something so precious – that is a part of me, that is my blood – is something I’ve always dreamt of, and I will cherish it forever,” an elated Zoe told Woman’s Day at the time.
“Zoe was made to be a mum,” an awestruck Alex added.
Welcome to the world, Harper-Rose.
Harper-Rose Garner was born on November 14, 2016 at 10:35pm. The darling tot weighs 3.37kg and is 52cm.
What a cherub.
Baby’s first Christmas.
The sweetest little family.
Sending love to you both during this tough time.
