MAFS UK groom Steven Springett recounts brutal attack ahead of E4 debut

Steven Springett, 34, a former Ebbsfleet United player and now an investment banking manager, was left with a fractured cheekbone, shattered teeth and a broken nose after nine men attacked him following a college dispute. The assault occurred as he was leaving a nightclub, effectively ending his football career in his early 20s. He has undergone extensive reconstructive surgery and is set to appear on E4’s Married At First Sight UK as he is matched with a bride on Monday’s episode.

Springett recalls being surrounded and attacked from all angles during the incident that stemmed from a college feud. One of the assailants was later sentenced to 10 months in prison. He says the feud began over a college canteen incident, including a fork being thrown at him, and escalated into a broader vendetta two years later, culminating in the attack.

Recovery and aftermath: The injuries required dozens of stitches to repair; he spent six months wearing a face mask and largely avoided leaving the house while recovering. As the wounds healed, they turned purple, and he faced stares that reinforced his reluctance to go out. He later underwent multiple cosmetic surgeries to repair the damage. The physical marks are present, but the mental toll was heavier; he had to reinvent his career, moving from professional football toward a career in finance. Today he lives in Essex and works as an investment banking manager, and he is a father of two.

Looking ahead to the dating series, Springett says he never expected to appear on television. He acknowledges that looks can open doors, but argues that energy and personality matter far more in real life. He hopes to bring a calming presence to the famously lively dinner-parties and to offer guidance and perspective to fellow couples. He has become a vocal advocate for mental health, speaking openly about the impact of the attack every year since it happened and describing how he uses the experience as motivation to help others.

Springett’s journey from a promising footballer to a business professional and a television participant reflects a broader theme of resilience in the face of trauma. The Geordie-born father of two dissolved into the routine of office life in Essex, but the upcoming episode will place his story squarely in the spotlight as viewers watch how he navigates a new kind of relationship experiment on screen.

Stream Married At First Sight UK on Channel 4 now. A new episode will air on E4 tonight at 9pm.