MAFS UK's Abi and John celebrate one year together as he hints at real proposal
A match made in MAFS heaven!
Last updated 23 hours ago
Abigail Callahan and John Shepard were the first of the 2025 intruder couples to get married on series 10 of Married At First Sight UK, and it didn't take them long to fit straight into the cast.
With zero issues or conflict throughout, Abi and John sailed through the experiment, with many calling them 'the best match in the show's history'. Now, one year on from meeting on the show, it sounds like they have huge plans together!
Are Abi and John still together?
Yes, yes, yes! Was it ever in doubt?!
After the pair stayed together following their final vows, which aired on Tuesday 11th November 2025, both Abi and John showed up to the reunion dinner party looking very loved-up!
After the reunion shows aired, Abi and John rushed to social media to confirm they are still together, sharing a a cute video with the caption: 'We’ve got an announcement to make 💫💫💫'.
Abi then wrote: 'MAFS has truely changed my life ✨💍
'What an incredible journey this has been. I’ve met the most amazing people, rebuilt my confidence but most importantly I found love ❤️
'Before I came into the experiment I had never been in love and didn’t think I was worthy of such a beautiful thing. I constantly questioned myself and had lost all my confidence because of past relationships.
'But then I met John and everything changed. I had no idea that the instant connection we shared at the altar would turn into the most beautiful love story I could ever imagine. ✨
'Going through each step of the experiment navigating many first, we always had each others back and supported each other every step of the way. We learned each other’s insecurities, accepted one another exactly as we are, and built something real: a foundation of trust, communication, and honesty.
'Love like this comes once in a lifetime and suddenly all my past experiences made sense as they were leading me right here to John ✨
'This is the start of the rest of our lives ❤️@johnpaulshepherd_ ❤️'. (sic)
On Tuesday 11th March 2026, the couple celebrated their one-year anniversary, with a romantic trip to Portugal.
Abi wrote: 'A year ago today my life changed forever ❤️
'What started as a chance, a leap of faith, and a “what if” turned into the best year of my life.
'365 days of laughs, chaos, love, learning, and growing together. Through everything, it’s always been you and me. ❤️
'One year with you, John and I’d still choose you all over again. Every single time. 🥹✨
'Here’s to the memories we’ve made, the ones we’re making now, and all the ones still to come.
'Happy 1 year to us🥂❤️'. (sic)
Are they engaged?
Although they got married on MAFS, as fans will know, the weddings aren't legal, but it sounds like Abi is holding out for a real proposal very soon!
In a fun video posted to Instagram, John wrote: 'Asking @abigail_l1ndsay to walk down the aisle with me one more time', with Abi quick to comment: 'Hopefully next time it will be a proposal 😂💍'.
John was swift to reply, adding: 'hahahaha soon soon'.
Do they live together?
After months of a long-distance relationship following the show, in January 2026 the pair announced they are now moving in together, with John moving to be with Abi.
Posting a 'little life update' video to Instagram, Abi told her followers: 'We’re moving in together! 🗝️
'One of us is packing our stuff into cardboard boxes, the other is making some extra space in the wardrobe. Yeaaaaa 🙌
'Thank god we’re saying byeeeee 👋 to long distance and hiii to waking up next to each other every day. 🏡📦'. (sic)
Here we take a look at Abi and John's MAFS UK journey, from their wedding day until their final vows...
What happened on their wedding day?
Viewers were first introduced to Abi and John during the episode on Monday 6th October, and it's safe to say the newlyweds had an instant impact, with many fans of the show dubbing them a 'match made in heaven'.
After arriving to the venue on a horse and carriage, Abi walked down the aisle to a beaming John waiting for her, and the pair seemed to have a great spark, even sharing a cute kiss at the end of the ceremony.
The newlyweds did come into a little hurdle when Abi's overbearing mum wanted to 'vet' her new son-in-law, but after a tough grilling, John seemingly passed with flying colours.
Abi's mum told producers: "I've seen my daughter light up and he seems a genuine, decent person. My concerns have been put to rest. Abi and John are a great match. It's going to be a success."
Abi and John then took themselves away from their guests for a private chat over some bubbly later in day, where they both confessed to one another that they'd never been in love before. Things also looked up for their future when John admitted he was 100% on the show to find love, with the potential of starting a family.
What happened on their honeymoon?
Following their amazing wedding day, Abi and John jetted off to the Seychelles for their honeymoon. The pair continued to enjoy each other's company, going on a romantic couple's massage and getting to know one another on a deeper level.
Abi opened up to her new husband about a traumatic past relationship, where she found herself unknowingly caught up in an affair, which results in her having her guard up in relationships.
Later on in the honeymoon, Abi confessed how comfortable she feels around John, admitting she's never felt this way before and can't wait to see what the future holds.
What happened during the first commitment ceremony?
As expected, Abi and John sailed through their first commitment ceremony, gushing to the experts about how well their wedding and honeymoon went. Abi praised for her husband for letting her be herself, something she's not been able to do in past relationship, whilst John said Abi is making him a better person every single day.
Unsurprisingly, both Abi and John chose to stay.
What happened during the second commitment ceremony?
After taking part in love-hate week, Abi confessed to the experts that she found it hard to find anything she 'hated' about her husband. Abi also stated she's not worried if they ever have any bumps in the road, because they have great communication that they will be able to talk things out.
Confessing his feelings to the experts, John admitted he'd fallen for Abi, with her also saying she 'just knows'.
The pair also confirmed they'd chatted about what they both like and don't like in the bedroom, before getting intimate with one another.
Abi and John both chose to stay.
What happened during the third commitment ceremony?
Despite the drama going on around them at the retreat, Abi and John's romance continued to blossom, with the pair telling the experts they've already spoken about wanting a family together.
Although Abi admitted she has fallen for John and has huge feelings for him, she did admit she's not yet 'in love' with him, but when she does say it she knows it will be for life.
The pair were keen to take part in the upcoming Home Stays week, with both Abi and John choosing to stay.
What happened during the fourth commitment ceremony?
After saying the 'L word' following partner swap, Abi and John went into Home Stays week on a true high! The couple expressed how much they enjoyed meeting each other's family and friends, with Abi confirming she feels so happy and secure in the relationship.
Abi told the experts how much it meant to her to see how her parents accepted and approved of John, with John saying he was 'poorer version of himself before he met Abi'.
Unsurprisingly, the pair both chose to stay.
What happened at their final vows?
Abi and John's final vow ceremony was one of the most loving and positive in MAFS UK history, with the pair gushing about their experience together.
Abi told her husband: "We stand connected through the journey of a lifetime with the ultimate reward - love… You are my present and my future, but most importantly, you are the love of my life.
"I came into this experiment wanting to find love. I found John, a husband and our happily-ever-after."
John added: "For years and years, I thought I wasn't good enough to be loved. But since the moment we stood together on our wedding day, I knew… In such a short time, we've created something I'm so proud of. This is only the beginning…
"I feel amazing. This is the perfect way to end the first chapter of our journey."
How old is Abi?
At the time of filming Abi was 34-years-old.
What is her surname?
Her surname is Callahan.
Where is she from?
She's from Bournemouth, but Abi is half-Lebanese.
What is her job?
Abi is a Veterinary Nurse, but also does bodybuilding in her spare time.
Is she on Instagram?
She is. You can follow Abi at abigail_l1ndsay
How old is John?
He was 38-years-old at the time of filming.
What is his surname?
His full name is John Paul Shepard.
Where is he from?
John is from Flintshire, a county in the north-east of Wales.
What is his job?
John works for himself as a Marketing Consultant.
Who does John look like?
After seeing him on MAFS UK, viewers of the show were quick to highlight his likeliness to actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Fans flooded social media, with one writing: 'He looks so much like Aaron Taylor Johnson it’s crazyyy!!!!🙌🙌🙌'. (sic)
Another wrote: 'John (new grooms) eyes are very Aaron Taylor Johnson'.
Others have declared he looks like West Ham and England footballer Jarrod Bowen.
Is he on Instagram?
He is, you can follow him at johnpaulshepherd_
MAFS UK series 10 is available to watch now on Channel 4's streaming platform.
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