Entries for the South African version of Lifetime's reality show Married at First Sight have closed and a total of 300 crazy daredevils have committed to marrying a stranger if they make it onto the show.
At first we thought 300 was a measly number of entries when you consider the size of the population but after fierce debates in the TVSA offices we concluded that it's actually a huge number. In fact, it's a massive, whopping number when you consider what's expected of them. Someone give the casting director a Bells!
The final selections are being made by production company Oxyg3n Media as we speak and whoever makes it onto the show will go through a process that's going to change their entire lives, whether they stick with their blind marriage partner or not.
They meet their new husband or wife at the altar for the first time and go on a honeymoon immediately after (nudge nudge wink wink). They move in together once they get back and then they make the biggest decision of their lives: will they stay together or ditch each other? It's sheer insanity that 300 people are prepared to go through with it.
They'll be guided through the process by what are called "specialist experts" who will pair them up and monitor their progress before, during and after the show. These experts have been confirmed and are as follows:
Neo Tshireletso Pule: counselling psychologist,
Dr Shingai Mutambirwa: sex health specialist,
Anna Trapido: anthropological advisor,
Paula Quinsee: relationship expert,
Gary Kayle: financial coach.
Radio personality and author Sam Cowen will poke her nose into everyone's relationship as the host of the show. It premieres in the first quarter of 2017.
A shoutout to everyone who entered through TVSA - we hope to see you at the altar!