Married At First Sight stars Lucinda Light and Andrea Thompson axed from Travel Guides amid major Channel Nine cast shake-up

Married At First Sight fan favourites Lucinda Light and Andrea Thompson will not be returning to Travel Guides in 2027.

The former reality TV brides, who became household names following their appearances on Channel Nine's controversial dating experiment, are noticeably absent from the network's line-up for the coming year.

Lucinda, 45, and Andrea, 51, joined forces for the 2026 season, swapping the drama of MAFS for an adventure around Ireland.

But while the pair brought their trademark positivity and friendship to the popular travel series, Nine has opted to introduce fresh celebrity faces rather than bring them back for another season.

The decision comes as the network continues to shake up the program, which relies heavily on natural chemistry, spontaneous humour and the unpredictable reactions of its travelling companions.

And despite Lucinda's enormous popularity and devoted following, her absence raises questions about whether being a fan favourite on one reality television show is enough to secure a permanent place on another.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, a network source said one possibility is that the duo's distinctive personalities and on-screen dynamic may not have been the right fit for Travel Guides' more spontaneous style of entertainment.

'Lucinda and Andrea are both incredibly popular with viewers, and there's no denying they brought something different to [the show]... but being fan favourites on MAFS doesn't automatically mean you're the right fit for another show. They're two very different formats,' the source revealed.

'Travel Guides is all about natural chemistry, spontaneous humour and people being able to laugh at themselves.

'Producers need personalities who aren't afraid to get uncomfortable, poke fun at each other and react in the moment. That's what makes the show work.'

The series has built its success around everyday Australians finding themselves in extraordinary situations while travelling, with much of the comedy coming from their unfiltered reactions, disagreements and willingness to laugh at themselves.

Lucinda became famous for her thoughtful observations, spiritual wisdom and ability to find a positive lesson in almost any situation during her time on MAFS.

Andrea also won over viewers during her time on MAFS, with her warm personality.

While those qualities made the women popular on the dating experiment, they do not necessarily translate into the unpredictable comedy Travel Guides has become known for.

'Lucinda is television gold, there's absolutely no denying that. But she's got such a big personality, and when you put her alongside Andrea, the dynamic is very different to what viewers have come to expect from some of the show's more established groups.'

'Lucinda has such a distinctive way of speaking and looking at the world that the focus can naturally shift to her rather than the destination or the experience.'

'At the end of the day, it's not about whether Lucinda and Andrea are likeable. It's about whether the dynamic works across an entire season, rather than just a special appearance.' 

Lucinda became one of the biggest breakout stars of her MAFS season when she was paired with Timothy Smith, building a devoted following and embarking on speaking engagements after her television debut. 

Meanwhile, Love Island favourites Callum Hole and Mitch Hibberd will return to Travel Guides after making their debut in 2026, while country music couple Brooke McClymont and Adam Eckersley have also secured another season.

Joining them will be former The Block contestants Tom and Sarah-Jane Calleja, Olympic swimming sisters Cate and Bronte Campbell, and social media personalities Fletch and Lachie from Two Mates One Chair.

The announcement also confirms that former Block contestants Eliza and Liberty Paschke, who appeared during the 2026 season, have not been included in the returning cast.

The shake-up follows reports that Nine has become increasingly selective about which former reality television contestants are invited onto the family-friendly program.

New Idea reported in September that producers were looking beyond the most recent seasons of MAFS and The Block when considering potential new recruits.

According to the publication, executives were particularly concerned about finding personalities who could deliver natural humour without relying on the manufactured conflict that has become synonymous with some reality television franchises.

The publication also reported that Nine was reluctant to recruit contestants from the controversial 2026 season of MAFS, amid concerns that some personalities were too divisive for the travel program's family-friendly audience.

Instead, producers were reportedly considering former Block favourites Robby and Mat, alongside MAFS brides Jamie Marinos and Rhi Disljenkovic, because of their established friendships and natural chemistry.

Love Island winners Yana Marks and Kye Lambert were also reportedly among the names being considered.

Meanwhile, New Idea revealed that the 2027 season will take viewers to another 10 destinations, including the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, New Caledonia, Santorini and tropical North Queensland.

The publication also reported that Getaway presenter Catriona Rowntree had expressed interest in joining the program.

Travel Guides will return to Channel Nine in 2027, although an official premiere date has yet to be announced.

Lucinda declined to comment.