The tenth season of Married at First Sight UK commenced with notable tension as the first matched couple, Sarah Gillanders and Dean, both 31, encountered immediate romantic uncertainty. Sarah, a recruitment consultant from Aberdeen, openly confessed her lack of physical attraction to Dean shortly after meeting him at the altar, stating, "No, I don't fancy Dean. So sorry." This initial reaction set a challenging tone for their relationship, contrasting sharply with Dean's enthusiastic approval of his new wife.

Dean, a team-building host from Feltham, attempted to charm Sarah with personalized performances, including a rap during the vows and a love song at the reception. However, these gestures were met with discomfort from Sarah and her family, who found them "over the top" and "cringe." Sarah expressed feeling overwhelmed by the displays, noting they were not what she had envisioned for her wedding day and contributed to her reservations about their compatibility.

Despite Dean's optimism—he described the experience as "way better than I could have ever hoped" and referred to Sarah as "my type of lady"—Sarah's concerns persisted. She highlighted a disconnect in their romantic dynamics, explaining that while Dean is "such a lovely guy," she sensed a "friend vibe more than a romantic vibe." This sentiment was echoed by Sarah's friend Caitlin before the ceremony, who acknowledged that Dean was not Sarah's typical type but hoped the match would lead to healthier relationship patterns.

The episode concluded with unresolved tensions as Sarah questioned whether a spark could develop over time, emphasizing that she had not joined the show seeking friendship. Dean remained unaware of the depth of Sarah's doubts, setting the stage for further developments in their journey as the season progresses. The couple's contrasting reactions underscore the experimental nature of the series, where initial impressions can significantly influence the path of a marriage formed under unconventional circumstances.

London's Metropolitan Police has reversed its longstanding position on grooming gangs in the capital, acknowledging for the first time that it has multiple active investigations into group-based child sexual exploitation. The shift came after an investigation by MyLondon and The Daily Express challenged official statements from both police leadership and Mayor Sadiq Khan, who had consistently maintained there were "no reports" or "no indication" of Rochdale or Rotherham-style rape gangs operating in London.

The investigation uncovered evidence from four separate His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services reports spanning 2016 to 2025 that documented at least six potential victims of grooming gang abuse. These case studies, which the Mayor of London personally responded to according to public statements, described children as young as 13 being exploited by groups of predatory men. The reports detailed how girls were plied with drugs and alcohol, raped in hotels by multiple perpetrators, and subjected to life-threatening situations.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley revealed to Assembly Members at City Hall that the force now acknowledges a "steady flow" of live multi-offender child sexual exploitation investigations and a "very significant" number of historic cases requiring reinvestigation. The commissioner estimated these reviews would cost "millions of pounds a year, for several years" to properly investigate, contradicting previous assertions that the force had "not seen" such cases in London.

Political figures including Reform UK MP Lee Anderson and Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp have criticized the mayor's handling of the situation, with Anderson stating there is "real, credible evidence that grooming gangs exist in London" and Philp alleging that Khan is "facilitating a cover-up." A spokesman for the mayor maintained that Khan has "always been clear that the safety of Londoners is his top priority" and remains "committed to doing all he can to protect children in London."