'Real reason' MAFS UK star Alex was missing from dramatic reunion

Viewers of Married At First Sight UK may have noticed that two contestants were missing from last night's insult-hurling reunion.

As well as Eve Reid - who sensationally sacked off the series in week two when she and wife Charlie Curtis split amid an alleged 'bullying' row - Alex Henry was also noticeably missing.

The Sun revealed earlier this month that Alex wouldn't be attending any of the series' several reunion episodes.

This meant that his final conversation with the show's matchmakers on 5 November - during which he and wife Holly confirmed they'd given up on the 'love experiment' - would be his last appearance on screen.

"Alex didn't film either of the two reunion episodes, which seemed really odd to the rest of the cast," the publication reported at the time.

"It was unclear whether it was Channel 4's decision or his own, but there was a lot of chatter about it amongst the brides and grooms who expected him to be there with his ex, Holly."

The reason? It's been speculated that RAF airman Alex may have been in a military prison when the reunion specials were filmed, after he was reprimanded for taking an unauthorised leave of absence to film the show.

He was sentenced to 34 days behind bars and ended up serving 24.

Alex took to social media last night to acknowledge his absence from the episode.

"Sorry I am not at tonight’s reunion everybody, here’s some BTS from my time on the show," he captioned a carousel of photos alongside some of his former co-stars.

"I wish I could have been there for Holly. I am watching from home as a fan just like everybody else.

"And it’s safe to say I am quite entertained."

Interestingly, however, Alex and Holly appear to have continued with their relationship away from the cameras, with fans unsure as to whether Nathan and Lacey have been able to make it work on the outside world.

Despite quitting the series last month following a fiery row on the famous green sofa - during which Holly branded Alex a 'bulls******g b*****d' - the pair were spotted locking lips on a loved-up Manchester night out.

Eve Reid was also missing from last night's ep after she went Insta-official with a new partner just days following her and partner Charlie's shock resignation from the show.

A source told The Sun, however: "Producers were really hoping Eve would return for the reunion episodes to give some closure to her rocky relationship with Charlie and reflect on what went wrong.

"But she refused to film and hasn't been in touch with show bosses or the rest of the cast since.

"Eve clearly wants to move on from the show but it's a shame she didn't return to reflect on everything, especially after viewers were invested in her and Charlie's journey."