A contestant on Seven Year Switch threatened to quit the Channel 4 show after realising his partner might be sharing a bed with another man as part of a relationship experiment – and viewers had no sympathy for him at all.
Furious Tony told the camera crew to stop recording and insisted he was “going home” after it became clear the four couples flown to Thailand for the partner-swapping series would be bunking up with a stranger in luxury accommodation with only one bedroom.
Hairdresser Tony, who had moved out of the family home he shared with partner Gemma after 12 years together before cameras started rolling, flipped out when he realised she would also be presented with the same sleeping situation.
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A flustered Tony said: “I want to go home seriously you might as well stop recording.
“I’ll pay for my own flight home and get Gemma with me!”
And although participants are not supposed to be in contact with their other half during the course of the reality show investigation, the psychologist assessing the troubled couples’ development as they build relationships as individuals with ‘new spouses’ decided to allow Tony and Gemma to speak to reassure him she was comfortable with the programme’s set up.
But it was not completely clear to therapist Lee Valls whether Tony was more worried about his partner’s peace of mind or his own.
“I need to make sure Gemma is aware of [the shared beds] and is happy with it. I’m quite angry about it,” he blustered, even before meeting his new partner for the show.
Tony continued on the phone to his partner: “Gemma, I’m not doing this. We’re going home. We’ll pay privately.
“I’m not happy and I want to go home!”
Viewers were less inclined to give Tony – who was the one to break up with his fiancee just days before their wedding – the benefit of the doubt, claiming he was panicking as he realised the grass may not be greener on the other side… and that Gemma may realise it is.
Look at Tony fuming …. doesn’t want gemma but doesn’t want anyone else to have her. #sevenyearswitch
— Faye 💙 (@wallsfaye221) March 6, 2018
Tony is the typical bloke, thinks the grass is greener!! #sevenyearswitch
— hayley upson (@hupson85) March 6, 2018
Tony is jealous but is packaging it as caring about Gemma. #Cringe. Fortunately she’s not the idiot he thinks she is. Turn it in mate, you’re clear like glass, she can see right through. #sevenyearswitch
— Ross Smith (@RB_Smithy) March 6, 2018
Think Tony wants his cake and eat it but doesn’t want Gemma to see any cake #sevenyearswitch
— james monk (@Ipswichjames) March 6, 2018
And with Gemma seeming perfectly happy to press on with the show – sharing her TV experience with hunky rugby player Simon – many viewers believed they had sussed out Tony’s ‘controlling’ approach, slamming him as a “bully” for ’emotionally blackmailing’ her with his tantrum.
Tony stamping his feet and threatening to go home unless he gets his own way. Seven year old tantrum more like. #sevenyearswitch
— textonlegs (@textonlegs) March 6, 2018
Tony’s employing emotional blackmail trying to control Gemma and get her to follow him home #sevenyearswitch
— Diane (@dianebrown024) March 6, 2018
The social media jury’s verdict at this early stage of the series was not encouraging for Tony. His reactions left little doubt in the collective mind of Twitter that Gemma should move on.
I’m actually angry at this selfish, narcissistic, controlling Tony. I so hope that Gemma will dump him! #sevenyearswitch
— Sabrina Millard (@SabrinaMillard1) March 6, 2018
Well, they aren’t actually married, so Gemma could (and SHOULD) tell Tony where to go. He has too much control over HER life. #sevenyearswitch
— Kelli (@KelliBee75) March 6, 2018
how controlling is Tony?! Get out of there Gemma! #sevenyearswitch
— Kate E (@Foot_riteKate) March 6, 2018
Harsh but true? Will Tony and Gemma make it to the second episode, never mind as a couple?
Seven Year Switch is on Channel 4, Tuesday, at 9.15pm.
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