It’s the same old story every year. We spend months watching two people fall in “love” on a sofa in Sydney, only to find out they couldn’t survive a trip to the supermarket once the producers stopped paying for the steak dinners. Jamie Marinos and Dave Hand were the golden couple of MAFS Australia 2025. They had the chemistry that actually felt real, not just “TV real”. When they stood at those Final Vows and promised the world to each other, a lot of us actually believed it. But the real world is a different beast entirely. So, are Jamie and Dave still together? Honestly, not even close. The whole thing went south faster than a cheap holiday.
The fallout wasn’t just a quiet “we’re going our separate ways” post on Instagram either. It was messy. When the Reunion came around in early 2025, the vibes were chilly. A week prior to filming that dinner party, it turns out they had already called time on their relationship. Imagine that. You’re meant to be the success story, and you can’t even make it a few months without the communication lines going totally dead. 9Now later confirmed they weren’t even on speaking terms by the time the episodes hit the air. Right proper disaster.
What Actually Broke Them?
The official reason Dave gave is a bit of a heartbreaker, but it also feels like something of an easy out. He spoke at length about his dad’s health, and the pressure of family life meant he couldn’t wholeheartedly commit to a relationship with Jamie. Fair enough. Life happens. He told Heart that he didn’t develop feelings for her. That old line, right? “I love you, but not like a lover.”
Jamie, though? She’s not falling for the “it’s not you, it’s me” routine. For the most part, she is not shy about saying it felt like he had checked out of their relationship as soon as they exited the experiment. There’s been a lot of talk about Dave not putting in the effort and Jamie feeling left in the lurch. It’s the gap between that lad on screen—the one who seemed so sure—and the guy who couldn’t be bothered to text back once the fame hit.
Perhaps the “Damie” that we fell in love with was just a crafty edit from Channel Nine? Cosmopolitan UK highlighted that the show already has tonnes of actual argument footage it just decided not to air. They weren’t nearly as perfect as they looked.
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The 2026 Update: No Going Back
It’s now 2026, and the dust hasn’t just settled—it’s been swept away. Those hoping for a romantic reunion are barking up the wrong tree. They have both moved on, just not with each other. Jamie has been embracing the influencer lifestyle
She’s been linked to other cast members, like Eliot, which caused a right stir on social media. It was all a bit high school, really. Petty comments, unfollowing each other, the works.
Dave’s gone the opposite way. He’s kept his head down mostly. Word on the street is he’s seeing someone new now, someone who has nothing to do with reality TV. Probably a smart move, if we’re being honest. The Tab did a deep dive into the lingering drama between Jamie, Dave, and the rest of the 2025 crew, and it’s clear the bridge isn’t just burnt—it’s been blown up.
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Why We Keep Falling for the “Damie” Trap
Look, we all want the fairy tale. That’s why we watch. But are Jamie and Dave still together? No. And the reason is usually the same for all these couples. The show is a bubble. You’ve got no jobs, no bills, and a bunch of producers telling you you’re perfect for each other. Then you hit the real world.
You’ve got to decide whose house to live in, how to handle the sudden “fame”, and whether you actually like the person when they’re grumpy on a Tuesday morning. For Jamie and Dave, the answer was a resounding no.
It’s a bit cynical, yeah. But that’s the reality of modern dating on the telly. You get a few months of fun, a few thousand Instagram followers, and a bit of a headache at the end of it. They both seem fine now, just separately. Jamie’s doing her thing; Dave’s doing his. And the fans? Well, we’re all just waiting for the next season to start so we can get fooled all over again.
FAQ
When did Jamie and Dave actually break up?
Just a week before filming the 2025 reunion, they split up. This was approximately a few months after shooting their Final Vows. That was a really quick turnaround.
Why did Dave end the relationship?
He said that his “emotions just weren’t there” because he was stressed with family stuff and issues involving his dad. He thought he wouldn’t be able to give Jamie the attention she deserved.
Are Jamie and Dave still friends?
No, Jamie has said in a number of interviews that they do not speak anymore. It is basically a complete severance of all ties.
Who is Dave dating now?
By the start of 2026, Dave was linked to a new partner who is not from the entertainment industry. He’s kept the details fairly private compared to his time on the show.
Is Jamie dating anyone from the MAFS cast?
There were rumours about her and Eliot, but she has mostly stayed single or dated people outside the immediate show circle. She seems focused on herself right now.
Did the show edit out their fights?
Yes, several sources, including Woman & Home, have suggested that the couple had more friction than the broadcast episodes led viewers to believe.
That’s where things ended up. The “Damie” era is well and truly over. It was a fun ride while it lasted, but like a lot of reality TV marriages, it just couldn’t survive the harsh light of a Tuesday morning. It’s a bit of a shame, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles, isn’t it?
Sources & References
- 9Now / Nine Entertainment. Jamie reveals why she is no longer on speaking terms with her ex-husband Dave (2025).
- Cosmopolitan UK. What MAFSAU failed to show from Dave and Jamie’s split, as the groom reveals the real reason for the breakup (May 2025).
- Heart.co.uk. MAFS Australia’s Dave reveals heartbreaking reason his relationship with Jamie ended (April 2025).
- The Tab. An update on everything going on between Jamie, Dave and Eliot from MAFS Australia 2025 (October 2025).
- Now To Love. MAFS star Jamie Marinos breaks her silence on Dave: ‘Why I’ll never get closure’ (February 2026).
- Heart.co.uk. Are MAFS Australia’s Jamie and Dave still together? (April 2025).
- The Sun. MAFS Australia groom Dave Hand soft launches new romance a year after split (February 2026).
