MAFS UK favourite Thomas Hartley says it's been "insane" adjusting to life after starring on the hit E4 dating show, where he met his husband Adrian Sanderson at the altar.
The former mental health nurse, 31, from Liverpool has spoken to us exclusively about what it has been like adjusting to his fame, revealing who has been messaging him on Instagram.
"I’ve had an athlete in my DMs," he shared over the phone with OK!. "I’ve also had Kate Beckinsale, Alison Hammond, Judi Love, and Nadia Sawalha. They’ve all been so lovely!"
Thomas revealed his experience on MAFS was "insane", adding it made him "deal with situations" he wouldn't necessarily deal with in normal life.
"Oh my God, it was just insane. I mean, in day-to-day life, if you fall out with people, you just block them easily," he shared.
"But because you’re in an intense process where you're forced to be together, it really does make you deal with situations that you maybe wouldn't have done before."
He continued: "So I found it insane. But it was also an incredible learning experience."
And speaking of how he felt when the show came to an end, Thomas said he has "received so much love".
"I never felt bad when it ended, although it was a shock to the system, I felt great," he said.
"I had a support system around me and I think, not everyone's had that, but I really have received so much love."
He continued: "They loved my one-liners and my personality. Maybe out of 1000 comments, there may have been one homophobic comment. And I’m like, ‘Thanks for your observation!’"
Thomas revealed he knew he "needed to come home" when he visited his family during the homestays on the programme.
"I think when you're not home, you get a feeling of safety and security. You feel protected," he said. "And, you know, they're the people that know you best. When it takes you to the home stays, it really did give me that confirmation that I was ready to go home."
Thomas added that it was "hard" for his mum and dad to watch him on the TV, as they know him "best".
He told us: "Obviously any mother would want to protect their child and when it’s on TV, it’s very hard to do that and because you're away from them, too. So obviously, it was hard for them watching it back."
He continued: "But they do know me best, they know me inside out. And I guess they couldn’t imagine why anyone would believe that I would not say what I say to someone's face."
READ MORE:
- MAFS' Matt's holiday with 2021 bride Marilyse amid recovery from 'trauma' of show
- MAFS' Matt and Marilyse address romance claim as they jet off on sun-soaked break together
- MAFS' Sophie Brown opens up on ADHD diagnosis and her struggle during show filming
- MAFS UK's Jenna and Zoe look more loved-up than ever in new post-show pics
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