MAFS’S Keller loses the liquor and finds love

The reality star’s true love was right in front of him all along

L

ove was waiting for Married At First Sight

star Craig Keller where he least expected it – with a gorgeous single mum he’s known since primary school.

‘We’ve known each other so long,’ laughs the former navy engineer, who proposed to his ‘best friend’ Katie Martin three weeks ago after reconnecting by chance at a club in December.

‘We played clarinet together in the primary school band and we’ve stayed friends ever since. But to be honest, I always thought Katie was out of my league,’ explains the 27-yearold Queenslander. ‘But when I bumped into her at the club, I felt this electric chemistry in the air. Later that night, I just grabbed her and kissed her, and we’ve been together ever since.’

Heavily-tattooed Craig is best known for his failed marriage to teacher Nicole Heir on season four of MAFS. During a boozefuelled meal filmed for the hit reality show, he was accused of ‘slut shaming’ contestant Bella, while Nicole later claimed she ‘didn’t feel safe’ around him due to his alleged issues with alcohol and pain medication.

‘It was devastating, but at the end of the day, I know the truth,’ says Craig, revealing he’s ‘pretty much’ kicked alcohol since getting together with 28-yearold pharmacy technician Katie.

‘There’s no need to drink. I don’t really associate with my old group of friends any more, because they’re still going out partying and I don’t want that now. My life revolves around Katie and the kids and that’s the way I like it.’

And Katie had no hesitation saying yes when social worker Craig popped the question under a beachside gazebo decorated with flowers – after pretending they were having a photoshoot.

‘He doesn’t think he’s romantic, but he’s the biggest romantic you could ever meet,’ smiles divorcee Katie, whose children Harry, six, and Evie, four, have also welcomed Craig. ‘I know for sure that this is it,’ she adds. ‘I watched Craig on the show, but I’ve known him for so long there’s no way it changed my opinion of him. We could be stranded together in the middle of the ocean and we would still have fun. I just feel so lucky to have him in my life.’ The couple, both avid Beatles fans with the tattoos to prove it, are planning a quiet wedding and are saving for a house so they can add to their family. Despite his mauling on MAFS, Craig has no regrets: ‘I have never said a bad word about Nicole, and I never want to put her in a bad light. I went on the show with the best intentions. It didn’t work, but it gave me confidence and put me on the right path.’