Ellie Dix and Jonathan ‘Jono’ McCullough first crossed paths on the 2024 season of Married at First Sight (MAFS) Australia — even though they got hitched to different people.
Over two years later, Ellie and Jono just announced they’re pregnant, revealing their due date is slated for early next year. “Baby McCullough coming April 2027,” Ellie posted on an Instagram video showing the baby’s sonogram.
In an exclusive interview with Chattr, Ellie shared that she was initially hesitant to reveal the news as the couple had faced pregnancy loss earlier in 2026.
“We were so excited when we found out. After a loss earlier in the year, we were excited but a tiny bit nervous until the first scan!” Ellie said.
“We are most excited for when baby is here, we know it’s not a walk in the park but feel we are ready (as much as we can be) for the challenge.”
It’s been a whirlwind journey for the couple. In the past three years, the former MAFS contestants have bought a house, set up businesses and travelled the world together.
“We have done lots of travelling, purchased a house, started businesses and started some renovations on our home. We have done so much in the (nearly) three years we have been together — there’s never been a dull moment. We have the most fun travelling though!” Ellie beamed.
As for the couple’s next step, Ellie is eager to change her surname (Dix) to McCullough ASAP. “Plans for the future: one day I might get to change my last name,” she joked.
How did Ellie and Jono meet on Married at First Sight?
Ellie Dix and Jonathan ‘Jono’ McCullough met during the 2024 season of Married at First Sight (MAFS) Australia — but they weren’t originally matched together by the relationship experts.
When asked if she thinks they would have met without MAFS, Ellie said she believes they were destined to connect either way. “I think our paths may have crossed eventually, as we both live on the Gold Coast,” she said. “Surely we would have met, especially as we were both using the dating apps.”
On MAFS, Ellie was paired with Ben Walters, but their marriage quickly deteriorated amid disagreements over Ellie’s desire to have children. Meanwhile, Jono was matched with Lauren Dunn, and their relationship was plagued by communication issues and explosive arguments.
Ellie and Jono first crossed paths at a Dinner Party and began exchanging friendly messages during the experiment. However, their connection sparked controversy when Lauren discovered Jono had been secretly texting Ellie while they were still married. However, Jono insisted this was merely a friendship connection.
The couple shocked their fellow contestants when they arrived at the MAFS Reunion Dinner Party hand-in-hand, confirming their relationship. Since this hard-launch, the couple has gone on to become one of the show’s biggest success stories — even if they technically weren’t meant to be a match.
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