John Aiken is a renowned relationship expert, best known for his role in advising couples on Married at First Sight. During his time on the show, MAFS has become the number one show in Australia, with over eight seasons now being broadcast in over 120 countries. John’s no-nonsense approach to relationships and dating has made him a trusted and engaging voice in both private and media spheres.
A former cricket player for New Zealand XIs, John scored a respectable 2,170 first-class runs over his sporting career, simultaneously training as a relationships specialist and running private practices in both New Zealand and Australia. In the mid-2000s, John decided to focus on his media career, going on to appear across a range of morning TV shows in Australia and fronting various ABC documentaries. In 2013, he hosted ‘Making Couples Happy’, which followed four couples seeking relationship fulfilment through testing scientifically backed frameworks. ‘Making Families Happy’ was released in 2015, following a similar concept to his previous documentary, following entire families rather than just couples. That same year, John joined the cast of Married at First Sight Australia, the experimental reality TV show, where he made waves as one of the relationship experts, offering honest guidance and hard-hitting observations to the participants. Since then, he has become a key voice on the show, calling out bad behaviour and helping contestants see the impact of their actions to break toxic patterns. John now features regularly on the spin-off show, MAFS: After the Dinner Party, where he provides insightful debriefs into the couples and other general dating and relationships advice. Filling in on the last season of MAFS UK, John will now be a permanent fixture on the UK show for 2026.
Delivering impactful relationship counselling for over 30 years, John is the author of three books: ‘U-Turn’, ‘Accidentally Single’, and ‘Making Couples Happy’, all of which draw from his expertise in helping relationships become happier and more intimate. As a result of his impressive career, he has been a guest on multiple radio and podcast shows, furthering the reach of his knowledge through his role as the dating and relationships expert and columnist for 9Honey and Talking Honey.
With extensive experience in reconnecting couples, hosting TV shows, and making a career in the media, John has become a popular speaker for his unique background and refreshing perspectives. Operating at the intersection of human behaviour, relationships and the world of reality TV, his talks are sure to engage audiences with his practical instruction, captivating anecdotes and grounded outlook on life, connection, and companionship.
Social Media
Books
U-Turn: Putting You Back into Your Relationship
Accidentally Single
Making Couples Happy
John Aiken's official speaking topics are listed below:
From Private Practice to Primetime on MAFS: Key Strategies for Success and Resilience
- John shares what he’s learned on his journey from private practice to internationally renowned relationship expert on Married at First Sight. Becoming the face of MAFS globally, John’s success has brought with it numerous challenges, including having to deal with the intensity of social media, an increased public profile, growing pressures of performing consistently at a high level on the show, and working within varied team environments.
- With his 30-year knowledge of human behaviour and his hands-on experience in the world of reality TV, John will provide you with 5 key success strategies that he uses to stay at the top of his game, deal with pressure, remain resilient under intense scrutiny and manage the ever-changing expectations of being in the media.
- If you want key tips to enhance your potential, John will give you takeaways that you can implement immediately to make lasting changes in your career and your life.
Secrets to Happy Couples: A Blueprint on How to Stay Together
- John lets the audience in on what they must absolutely avoid if they want to have a happy and long-lasting relationship. Having worked in the field of relationships for 30 years, John is internationally recognised for his no-nonsense approach to relationships and dealing with couples, pointing out what they’re doing wrong and how to put it right.
- From his extensive experience both in private practice and on-screen, he has an intimate understanding of the 10 key pitfalls of relationships and will provide a roadmap on how to make it work with your intimate partner.
- John will entertain you with his energy and insights, and you will leave this presentation with key practical takeaways and a clear blueprint on what you must focus on if you want to ultimately stay together and get the
most out of your relationship.
Dating in the New World: Key Learnings From MAFS
- Having worked in the field of dating and relationships for the past 30 years, John opens up on his insights into the world of dating and what you must do if you’re serious about finding someone special. Working on MAFS Australia, NZ and UK, John has had a front row seat to all the dating trends and challenges that participants face when trying to find the one.
- He outlines the 10 key patterns and behaviours that you must avoid if you want to succeed in romance and love, outlining common patterns that singles frequently repeat, sabotaging their chances of finding love without even knowing it. In a very entertaining and high-energy presentation, John will unpack exactly what he has learnt through his experience working with singles in both private practice and on the show – and what you must do if you want to achieve success in the dating game and ultimately find the happiness you deserve.
Professional Sport to MAFS Primetime: Strategies for Success and Resilience
- While many know John as the no-nonsense expert delivering home truths to couples on MAFS AU, MAFS NZ and MAFS UK, he was previously a very successful cricketer. John played 46 first-class matches and 39 one-dayers whilst living in New Zealand, being selected to play for Wellington and Auckland as well as NZ ‘A’, where he played against the touring teams of South Africa, West Indies, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
- John will unpack the success strategies that he used during his playing days and still uses now to deal with the high-pressure world of social media, reality TV, working within different professional teams and ever-changing live environments. He shares 5 key strategies that are vital to handling the challenges of both the sporting and media arenas, and will provide expert insights, delving into his own hands-on experience.
- Very few have experienced both arenas at this level, and John will provide unique insights to encourage consistent, high-level performance and strengthen your overall sporting mindset.
- 2026 – Joined The Cast of MAFS UK
- 2025 – Continued Role on MAFS
- 2015 – Fronted the Making Families Happy Documentary
- 2015 – Joined The Cast of MAFS Australia as a Relationship Expert
- 2013 – Published Making Couples Happy and Documentary of Same Name
- 2010 – Published Accidentally Single
- 2005 – Published U-Turn
How to hire John Aiken
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring John Aiken for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do NOT accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
