MAFS' Lacey Martin treated by medics in shock moment that wasn’t aired as she opens up on health battle

This year’s MAFS UK - the show which sees total strangers, matched by dating experts and walk down the aisle together - may be drawing to a close, but it’s been one of the most explosive series’ to date. From rumours of husband-swapping to heated arguments at the dinner table as well as hilarious moments, it’s been full of colourful characters.

Amid those rollercoaster journeys, one couple in particular has seemed to remain relatively solid throughout - bubbly, confident Lacey Martin, from Hertfordshire and her quietly-spoken husband Nathan Campbell, from Somerset. Here, office manager Lacy, 27, opens up about her experience on the show - and speaks exclusively to OK! about her battle with endometriosis, as well as the beautiful promise her twin sister Paige has made to her about children in the future…

Lacey, you’ve been amazing on MAFS UK! How would you describe your journey with Nathan?

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It was hard work, in that I never dated anyone with ADHD before, so it was hard to get Nathan to open up. I had to dig deep and be patient with him. I did research on ADHD partners - because I did see the good in him and us. But I need to be told I’m ‘beautiful’, you know? Sometimes it was difficult, but I saw our potential. I’d say we had a beautiful journey - I’m really grateful for that.

You and Nathan seemed so solid throughout…

Yeah, we didn’t really argue - if we had a problem, we’d talk it out calmly. Because we fell in love, we kept that respect for each other. We ‘got’ each other, I think - we were best mates, we’d dance all the time… we did have a really good journey, compared to some of the other couples! I feel like we were the underdogs at the beginning, but we came through the other side…

The reaction to you has been really positive - have you had any trolling?

After the first episode - my wedding, I got trolled, because I said I couldn’t believe Nathan called me ‘nice’ on our big day. I think viewers felt sorry for Nathan. But as the weeks have gone on and they’ve got to know me as a person, they see I’m a girl’s girl who will speak up when she needs to, that’s changed. It’s like, when I said, “Who’s been lipsing”? That came from the heart. I couldn’t sit on that couch and say nothing. I’ve had a lot of love to be honest - and I’ve always been true to myself.

Are there any behind-the-scenes moments viewers might not be aware of?

I had moments on set when I had my period and was really suffering with my endometriosis - sometimes that makes it hard to film. I felt so bloated and heavy and weak. At one point, I actually fainted on set - but the crew and production and medics were amazing, they came running.

You mentioned your endometriosis struggles. When did that all start?

I got diagnosed at 20, but it took me four whole years to get that diagnosis. And I really want to raise awareness of this condition, because I had to really fight the doctors, I kept saying I just didn’t feel right. You have to listen to your body and if something doesn’t feel right, it’s not right! I’d also suggest getting a second or third opinion when you see a GP if you’re not satisfied, because I wasn’t.

What didn’t ‘feel right’, in your case?

I thought it was normal for years, but obviously it wasn’t! I had a boyfriend for 10 years and it would affect our relationship, because I would have pain during or after sex, severe period pain, pelvic pain, severe blood loss - I’ve lost jobs in the past due to sickness and hospital visits. Employers weren’t understanding at all.

What did doctors suggest initially?

They kept offering me the implant, or different ways to help with my flow, but it wasn’t working with my body. I felt depressed, because it had an impact on my life, on my relationship at the time - he was like, ‘Why do you keep bleeding, what’s going on?’ I felt lost in my own body, like nobody was listening to me.

Did it affect your confidence?

Massively, I’m a very confident girl but I didn’t feel sexy - I was so bloated, people would mistake me for being pregnant. I was in an office once and someone came up to me and said, ‘When are you expecting?’ That was tough - that really did hurt me. I told her she needed to be careful what she says to people, that I actually have endometriosis and you don’t know people’s personal stories.

How did they finally diagnose you?

I had loads of scans and then two operations, and that’s when they found out I had endometriosis, and some polyps, which they had to laser off. It’s not curable, but I have to listen to my body when I feel it’s getting bad again. All the operations do is hold off the symptoms. After my first operation, i felt amazing for a couple of years - like ‘me’ again. Then I could feel the old symptoms creeping back. And I ended up having a second in 2021. So I may need another, soon.

It sounds a really debilitating condition…

It is. And it’s hard because you can’t see it, you feel like you’re lying to your employers - which of course, you’re not! Workplaces really do need to have so much more understanding of hidden conditions like this. Women need much more support. I remember showing one workplace photos of my womb, and that wasn’t good enough and they fired me.

Endometriosis can affect fertility, does that worry you?

It can make it difficult to get pregnant. I do want kids in the future, and doctors have told me I can, which is the most amazing news - but I may end up having to go down the IVF route. I have hope that when that time comes, there will be more alternatives. I’ve got to think positive. For years I thought, ‘Can I have kids?’ but being told I can, gives me hope.

Did your family support you through it all?

Oh, yeah. I’ve spoken to my twin Paige for years about my worries, I also thought men might not even want to be with me, if I couldn’t have kids. And she’s actually said she would carry a baby for me, which is just incredible. She’s like my right arm and she said, should I ever need it, who knows - she would carry a child for me. She’s my best friend.