Married At First Sight UK best pals Whitney Hughes and April Banbury are no longer on speaking terms following a physical altercation, MailOnline can reveal.
The pair struck up a strong friendship on the E4 show back in 2022, and have since been ‘like sisters’, enjoying holidays and events together.
But a source close to Whitney has revealed their friendship is over, after April reportedly ‘started a fight’ with Whitney during a fun night shooting content at her house.
Friends were forced to step in and split them up, and Whitney had to visit A&E following the incident.
The source revealed: ‘The girls were at Aprils having fun doing TikTok‘s and everything was good between them. April hugged Whitney, then walking away called her a “f***ing b***h” under her breath.
Married At First Sight UK best pals Whitney Hughes and April Banbury are no longer on speaking terms following a physical altercation, MailOnline can reveal
The pair struck up a strong friendship on the E4 show back in 2022 (pictured), and have since been ‘like sisters’, enjoying holidays and events together
‘Whitney was baffled by the comment and asked her why she said it, and April started screaming that she “f***king hates her” and charged at Whitney, grabbing her throat.
‘She was full of rage out of nowhere. Thankfully two friends who were at the party stopped it.
‘Whitney was really devastated and shocked. The following morning she had to visit A&E due to her neck hurting and being bruised.’
Since the incident, the pair have unfollowed each other on Instagram and have delated the majority of pictures together.
Whitney also took a break from social media, and without naming April, she explained to her followers: ‘Being assaulted by someone I loved and trusted was a massive shock, and something I needed to process’
The source added: ‘She still doesn’t get why April did it. They have been really close since meeting on MAFS and always said they were like sisters. It’s crazy that April exploded like that out of nowhere.’
MailOnline has contacted April and Whitney for comment.
Whitney married husband Duka Cavolli on the show, but later got together with Matt Murray, who she split from weeks after the series wrapped.
Meanwhile, former Miss Great Britain April married George Roberts in a non-legally binding ceremony after they met at the altar for the first time on the hit E4 show.
A source close to Whitney has revealed their friendship is over, after April reportedly started a fight with Whitney during a fun night shooting content at her house (Whitney pictured just hours before the incident)
Friends were forced to step in and split them up, and Whitney was left with ‘bruises’ and had to visit A&E
Since the incident, the pair have unfollowed each other on Instagram and have delated the majority of pictures together
Whitney also took a break from social media, and without naming April, she explained to her followers: ‘Being assaulted by someone I loved and trusted was a massive shock, and something I needed to process’
He was arrested in September the same year on suspicion of controlling and coercive behaviour, but will face no further action.
April, who is no longer with George, previously said she’d been left needing therapy after her time on the show.
The designer said the ‘traumas’ she is now experiencing are ‘ruining her life’ and claims the show needs to do more background checks on those taking part.
His appearance on the E4 show came despite three women who had previous relationships with Mr Roberts reportedly raising concerns about him. Others are reported to have now come forward.
April told The Sun in October: ‘The traumas I have from being on Married At First Sight are ruining my life.
‘I was given six therapy sessions and basically told to try and move on. People say Love Island is brutal but MAFS is 100 per cent worse.
‘No one should apply to take part until they put in place more stringent background checks.’
‘I’m just trying to get through each day. If I slip down that dark hole I don’t think I’ll ever get out.’
A Channel 4 spokesperson said at the time: ‘It’s categorically untrue to suggest that April was asked to take a position against her wishes, nor would we seek to silence her.
‘All cast have access to appropriate support before, during and after filming and broadcast, including access to an independent psychologist.
Whitney was originally married to Duka on the social experiment programme but fell for Matt, who had himself tied the knot with Gemma (Matt and Whitney pictured together on the show)
April’s on-screen husband George Roberts was arrested in September on suspicion of controlling and coercive behaviour (pictured on the show)
‘This support is proactively offered at every stage and, where requested, ongoing. April has been offered and continues to access such support.
‘All contributors are subject to thorough background and psychological checks, including the most rigorous police checks a production is able to undertake.’
Following the show, April was diagnosed with an incurable spinal condition after being hospitalised with the constant pain.
Updating her Instagram followers, April revealed she has now been diagnosed with spinal stenosis, which is incurable.
According to the NHS, spinal stenosis is a term used to describe a narrowing of the spinal canal. This narrowing may progress to cause squeezing (compression) of the spinal nerves which can cause back pain and/or leg pain.
Discussing her treatment for the condition, the star explained she has been given opioids at the moment and may be given a nerve root injection as taking opioids isn’t a long term solution.