MAFS’ JESS ‘I’M HAVING A BABY!’
THE TV BRIDE IS SET TO BECOME A MOTHER
Hearts broke across Australia when unlucky-in-love Jess Wardrop was unceremoniously dumped on her reality TV honeymoon two years ago. However, these days, the Married At First Sight alum’s love life couldn’t be better.
Not only has the banking officer fallen head over heels in love with the man of her dreams in the shape of new partner, Chris Pappas, but the happy couple also have some very special news to share.
“I’m pregnant,” she beams in an exclusive interview with New Idea. “It was a complete and utter surprise, but once the shock wore off, we were both so excited about it.”
Set to welcome their bundle of joy just days before Christmas, the couple, who recently moved in together after a whirlwind six-month romance, have decided to stick with the element of surprise and wait until the birth to find out the gender.
“I think it’s your only thing in life you have no real control over,” Jess, 32, gushes, “so we decided to wait.
“Although, every time we have a scan the baby goes all shy, just like its daddy,” says Jess of her elusive partner, who doesn’t have social media and has so far only shown the side of his face on her Instagram account.
“In the last scan the baby was doing a head-stand with his bottom to us, so I’m unsure we would be able to find out anyway,” she chuckles.
Meeting her new beau on Tinder, Jess says that although she refused to give up on finding love, she was just about to throw in the towel with online dating.
“I had a few bad dates and I thought, ‘that’s it,’” she says. “But because I had been talking to Chris – and he made me laugh – I decided to meet him, but said to myself that he would be the last.”
Quietly relived he hadn’t seen her heartbreak on MAFS, Jess says it was nice to get to know each other on an even playing field. However, after their second date she decided to
“IT WAS A COMPLETE SURPRISE, BUT ONCE THE SHOCK WORE OFF WE WERE BOTH SO EXCITED”
’fess up to marrying a stranger on national television. Jess’ confidence may have taken a knock after TV husband Dave Crisp shocked viewers of the dating experiment by cruelly ditching her just days after their wedding, but Jess says she doesn’t hold any grudges.
“I have got over what happened on the show,” she says. “It was a long time ago and I am comfortable in myself.
“But I guess I didn’t realise people as nice as Chris existed. I have never met anyone so selfless and I wasn’t used to someone being so kind and considerate to me – then he came into my life it was just great.”
Currently in the throes of preparing for their new arrival, the happy couple are relishing every moment that comes with pregnancy – even the midnight cravings for pickles! Having shared their wonderful news with their immediate family, the loved-up pair have spent many hours discussing possible names for the little one, and Jess says she can’t wait for the next chapter in life to begin.
“I’m looking forward to meeting the baby and watching
them grow up and seeing little bits of Chris and little bits of me in them,” she smiles.
“I know Chris is going to be a amazing dad because he is an amazing person – now I’m going to cry!” she gushes, blinking back the tears.
“Chris thinks I will be a pushover as a mum and maybe he is right. I just know I want to teach them that differences don’t matter and that people are perfect just the way they are.”
And as for the future, Jess says she has no doubt she will be walking down the aisle once again, but this time she will have a familiar face waiting for her at the other end.
“Oh it will happen, there is no doubt about it. It’s where we both want to be, but for now weddings have been put on hold for us to save up for a house and to spend time with the baby.”
Main photo: Lawrence Furzey