Rockstar marriage celebrant Jesse Burford has emerged from his stint on reality TV as one of Perth’s most eligible bachelors.
He started out on this year’s Married at First Sight as the guy with the infamous “ick list”, but later won the support of viewers when it was revealed his on-screen wife Claire Nomarhas kissed another groom.
Though he has described the experience as the “hardest” thing he has ever done, Burford is bouncing back with wedding bookings around the country and an Instagram inbox full of date offers.
But first to address the elephant in the room — is there any truth to rumours of a romance between the 31-year-old and fellow Perth contestant Janelle Han?
It was a hot topic on gossip sites when pictures emerged of the WA locals holding hands at a festival, and now Burford has confessed sparks did indeed fly between him and Han.
“It’s quite ironic, because we deliberately took photos of us holding hands to stir the pot,” he says.
“Janelle and I knew each other a little bit at that point, but the funny thing is that after we started taking pictures of us cuddling and going out and stuff, that began the process of us actually connecting.
“We did share a kiss before she moved to Sydney, and I think if she stayed in Perth it probably could have gone somewhere, to be honest with you.”
Honesty has become something of a personal brand for Burford.
It’s why the former heavy metal vocalist’s celebrancy services are so in-demand — he promises “non-sh.. weddings for couples who rock” — and he is candid when speaking about his return to dating after the show.
Burford has no plans to get back on apps like Tinder, but he has been surprised with how many propositions he has received via social media.
“Ninety per cent of the meetings I have — I don’t like to call them dates — are with girls who have slid into my DMs (direct messages),” he says.
“I don’t look down on that at all, I am like, hey, she is shooting her shot and she’s hot. I’ll see if she’s cool.
“(But) holding my attention can be harder. I need to feel that buzz, that energy. And that’s not something anyone can action; it’s something they are, it’s their default setting.”
MAFS admittedly taught Burford “nothing” about marriage, but that doesn’t mean he has given up on the idea.
“It taught me I have the capability to commit, because I absolutely committed to the experiment. But is that a lesson more so about myself?” he posits.
“I probably do need to put more effort into finding a partner . . . I want to start walking down the road of becoming the father that I one day hope to be.”
Burford is open to another reality TV stint if the opportunity presents itself, because of the connection it fosters with the public. Just maybe not The Bachelor.
“My life has completely changed,” he admits.
“I never thought getting stopped at Woolworths by 10-15 people and being asked for a photo would ever happen to me.
“I do love it, because just happening to be somewhere puts a smile on people’s faces. It’s less an ego boost: what I am thinking is, ‘How can I further improve this person’s mood?’”
Yes, star signs still aren’t his jam. But Burford’s true reality is far removed from the ick list that launched his profile.
“People are surprised about how I actually am, for sure,” he says.
“Like, oh wow, he is way more wacky and funny than what we saw on the show.
“I can’t be fake or wear a mask. But the circumstances during filming were incredibly hard for me, so being away from the duress and pressure, and back in my normal life, I can be a closer version of my authentic self.”