Married At First Sight: Tasha 'devastated' over diabetes edit

Married At First Sight UK ends this week, but one bride says viewers haven't seen her whole story.

Fans will find out if Tasha Jay, 25, decides to stay with partner Paul Liba on the Channel 4 show.

But Tasha, who has type 1 diabetes, has spoken out about how footage about her condition didn't make the final cut.

While she's "really sad" that it was left out, Tasha's pleased that people are now realising why she behaved in a certain way on the show at times.

Married at First Sight - or MAFS - is a social experiment where experts match complete strangers who try to live as a couple.

Tasha says her wedding day with Paul on the show was a "really beautiful moment" that included her telling Paul about her diabetes and his reaction.

"I got filmed taking my insulin and checking my blood sugar," she tells BBC Newsbeat..

"And I don't know why it didn't get shown, it does really upset me."

Newsbeat has approached Channel 4 for a comment on Tasha's claims.

Type 1 diabetes is often diagnosed in childhood, and limits your body's ability to produce insulin - a hormone needed to process sugar.

There's no cure but the condition can be managed with daily insulin injections or by using an insulin pump.

Tasha was diagnosed at aged two and half and says people have asked why that part of her was hidden in the show.

"And I'm like I didn't hide it," she says.

"For whatever reason they haven't shown it, which really upsets me because diabetes is a part of my story."

Tasha believes that, if people had known about her diabetes, it would have changed their perception of certain moments in the show.

She says her blood sugar levels have a big impact, causing symptoms like dry mouth and mood swings.

Tasha points out that other contestants did have their backstories shown, such as Jordan Gayle, whose OCD was discussed in the programme.

She didn't ask the producers why her diabetes wasn't included, but feels it's now "too late".

"I'm devastated and what's done is done," she says. "But the main thing is that people are realising now."

Tasha's been posting videos on her TikTok, giving herself injections on camera at locations like bottomless brunches and bingo halls.

She says she wants to challenge the idea that it means that nights out could be off the cards.

Diabetes UK estimates that more than 30,000 people under 25 in England and Wales live with the condition.

Esther Walden, from the charity, says it "shouldn't stop people doing exactly the same things that everybody else can do", but careful planning is key.

She says this can involve a lot of "juggling" - counting your carbs, working out your insulin dose and thinking how what you're doing might affect your blood sugar.

If your levels drop to low it can lead to a hypo, which can involved feeling shaky and disorientated.

Alcohol can make that more complicated, because sugar's a key part of lots of boozy drinks.

And because the effects of being drunk can resemble the symptoms of a hypo, Esther says it's important for you and your mates to know what to watch for.

Tasha says she has "amazing and supportive" friends but still has to be vigilant on nights out - double-checking that what she's been served is ""definitely diet".

"Even when it comes to packing your bag for your night out. It's always ID, bank card... my injection, my meter to check blood sugar, energy tablets in case I go into hypo.

"It's all the little things that no one else will ever have to think about. But I do."

While criticising the show for not including her diabetes experience, Tasha does praise the welfare team and medics for being "there to check on me and made sure they had stuff for me if I needed it".

And by sharing her story, she wants to encourage others to live life as full as possible.

"It may stop you in your tracks for 10, 15 minutes. But it doesn't mean you can't do anything," she says.

"I'm never going to let anything to do with diabetes hold me back. And I want everyone else to feel empowered and strong."

MAFS will be on Channel 4 at 9pm on Tuesday 14 Nov.

Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.