Reality TV

Duncan and Evelyn brought the MAFS couple swap to real life: This is their love story

The pair are absolutely adorable together.
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They entered the Married At First Sight Australia 2023 experiment separately, ‘wed’ to someone else. But Duncan and Evelyn found love in each other, and quickly became one of the most beloved reality TV couples. 

In the months leading up to their relationship reveal, fans speculated Duncan and Evelyn were secretly dating after a spicy video was leaked to social media. 

Ev and Duncan confirmed their romance in May 2023.(Credit: Instagram)

During the 2023 season of MAFS, Duncan was in a TV marriage with Alyssa meanwhile Evelyn was paired with Rupert. Fans noticed some sparks flying between the pair during the mid-season ‘couple swap’ when Duncan posed for some spicy photos intended for Alyssa. Despite the chemistry, their love story didn’t begin until after the experiment when the Sydney-siders begun to hang out. 

“Some of the warm fuzzy feelings happened in the stomach and I thought ‘what is this’ and then… one thing led to another,” Duncan revealed in a 9Honey interview.

In the early stages of their relationship, the pair would “sneak around” in order to hide their romance from the public. And while we don’t know the finer details as to how Duncan and Evelyn first found that spark, the former MAFS groom has previously teased they “got together” during Mardi Gras in 2023 which is around February and March. 

“Mardi Gras – a very special time for our LGBTIQ community, which is very close to my heart. It also happens to be the first time Ev and I got to together ❤️,” he wrote. 

Evelyn, Duncan and the two dogs in matching blue sweaters.
Evelyn and Duncan moved in together in August 2023. (Image: Instagram)

But more than a year since they confirmed their relationship in May 2023, the pair have explored the city as a real couple and have gone on many adventures together – letting their fans watch from social media. 

Duncan quickly became the perfect “dog dad” to Evelyn’s two dachshunds, Pickles and Mustard. Especially after the couple celebrated a massive milestone in August 2023 – moving in together. 

“Meet the Fockers! Me and Ev just moved in together, which obviously makes it heaps easier to couple dress. So let the good times roll and the colour coordination continue,” Duncan wrote in an announcement shared to Instagram, with the couple and their two dogs in matching blue sweaters.

Ready to settle down, the pair have progressed in their relationship quickly. But some fans have been curious as to how they make their relationship work given the age gap of 11 years. 

“Honestly it doesn’t matter how old your partner is. If they’re not ready, they’re not ready. For me, Duncan and I’s age difference has been a blessing,” Evelyn, 28, said on Instagram of her boyfriend Duncan, 39. 

Evelyn and Duncan take a selfie on a boat during sunset's golden hour.
Evelyn and Duncan have a 11 year age gap. (Credit: Instagram)

“I feel like we’re on the same page in life. We’re going in the same direction, we want all the same things… It’s not so much about their age but I think it’s about finding the person that’s just ready and they could be any age.”

The pair continued to provide a glimpse into their romance on social media, with each holiday, fancy event and even promotional ad. In June, Evelyn graced the carpet at the Cannes Film Festival and travelled across Europe – leaving Duncan for nearly an entire month. However, he wasn’t completely bored as he went to climb “some mountains.”

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