Accrington MAFS reality star wants to normalise disabilities on TV

Samantha Howard, better known as Jay, appeared on Married At First Sight, which began in September.

On the show she married Essex salesman Luke Worley and the pair quickly became fan favourites.

The couple left the show early after Luke got into an altercation with another co-star.

Samantha Howard, better known as Jay, appeared on Married At First Sight, which began in September (Image: E4)

Sadly, their marriage didn’t survive the test of time and the couple revealed the relationship later broke down due to communication issues.

Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph, Jay, 32, said the experience taught her to love herself.

She said: “Luke and I still speak and check up on each other. We are friendly it’s just sad it didn’t work out.

“If it wasn’t for the distance I do think things would have worked out.

“The show has taught me that I am very resilient. I love myself now which I can’t say I did before the show.

“I am more outspoken now because I have been quite reserved in the past, especially when it comes to opinions.

“It’s taught me to be your authentic self and don’t worry about what other people think about you.”

Jay, who works in account management at Warrantywise, said the last few weeks have been a whirlwind adding that is strange that celebrities know who she is.

“The last few weeks have been absolutely mental – but in a good way,” She said. “People recognise me everywhere I go, not just in Accrington anymore.”

“It has been strange having people ask me for autographs and pictures.

“I have been to a couple of events recently and a few known actors know who I am which is really weird.

“I saw Tina O’Brien, who plays Sarah Platt in Coronation Street. I went over to ask her for a picture and she knew who I was!”

Jay, who was born without part of her left arm, said she did not expect to become an advocate for people with disabilities but has been flooded with messages of support.

She said: “I constantly get messages from people with limb difference and disabilities, which has been the best thing for me coming out of this, knowing that I have helped people just by showing my face on television and it’s lovely.

“People have said I have helped them in a big way.

“While messages have been mainly positive, there have been a couple of negative comments too but I don’t dwell on it and don’t let it get to me.”

The former Hippings Methodist Primary School pupil now wants to normalise seeing people with disabilities on television.

She said: “In the future I just want to help people. I want to do more TV work so disabilities are more visual on screen.

“I also want people to feel like they can ask questions instead of thinking that they are being offensive. We can have a laugh, it’s not all doom and gloom.

“The more awareness I put out there, the better.”

While another reality dating show, like ITV’s Love Island, is off the cards Jay said she would love to take part in others such as I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here.

The former Accrington and Rossendale College student said: “The experience was phenomenal, mental and chaotic but I would change anything about it – but I couldn’t do a Love Island or another dating related show again.

“I would love to go on reality shows. I would eat a kangaroo ball on I’m A Celebrity!”

While Jay has been busy attending glitzy awards ceremonies, including Inclusive Awards where she presented an award, and filming with major news studios she said she will not forget her Accrington roots.

She is also going to be working with a leading limb difference charity to continue her disability advocacy work now that the show has finished

The former Rhyddings High School pupil hopes she has represented her hometown well.

Jay, who loves to visit the Tiger Louge and Hustle Bar in the town, said: “I have people asking me all the time about Accrington Stanley, I tell them I am literally around the corner.

“I am proud to be from Accrington.”