EXCLUSIVE: Adrian Araouzou shares his thoughts on the pair’s new romance.

MAFS’ Awhina Rutene and Billy Belcher.

MAFS’ Awhina Rutene and Billy Belcher have seemingly made their new relationship Instagram official. Photos: Instagram/_awhinarutene / billybelcher7

Their partners were rumoured to be part of a ‘cheating scandal’ on this year’s season of Married At First Sight, but now Awhina Rutene and Billy Belcher have seemingly hard-launched their relationship. The couple, who have grown quite close since filming the reality show last year, sent their followers wild on Thursday evening when they shared a joint Instagram post looking very loved up.

The snaps show Awhina and Billy enjoying what appears to be a romantic dinner together in Perth. In addition to photos sitting across from one another at the dinner table, they also posted a mirror selfie showing Billy wrapping his arm around Awhina.

“I’ll keep this one,” Awhina wrote in the caption alongside a giggling emoji.

Awhina and Billy’s MAFS co-stars were quick to celebrate the announcement, with Ryan Donnelly and Rhi Disljenkovic liking the post and Carina Mirabile commenting: “Love this.”

“I’m so invested, and I’m so here for it,” one fan wrote, while another added, “Should have matched you with Billy from the get go!”.

MAFS’ Billy Belcher and Awhina Rutene on a date together in Perth.

The couple shared a gallery of snaps from their night out together in Perth. Photos: Instagram/_awhinarutene

When approached for comment about their relationship status, Awhina tells Yahoo Lifestyle that she and Billy are “great mates”.

“[We] genuinely enjoy each other’s company,” she says. “It’s just easy and zero pressure, he also helped me post-show a lot when I was struggling to see the good in MAFS.”

Billy adds: “Me and Awhina get along, we have a laugh and enjoy spending time with each other, and the view is pretty good when we are sat at dinner.”

While the majority of Awhina and Billy’s followers have expressed their delight for the couple, others have questioned whether their relationship is genuine or just a publicity stunt. Awhina’s MAFS ‘husband’, Adrian Araouzou, tells Yahoo Lifestyle he wishes the pair “all the best” but thinks it would be “embarrassing” if they were faking their relationship for clout.

“I have no clue what those two are doing, [but] if so, good luck to them. If they are happy, go for it,” he says. “I hope it’s legit, otherwise [it would] be a bit embarrassing to act like a couple just for likes and attention.

“I don’t understand all these games certain couples are playing. If you’re with someone and happy, put it out to the world [and] be proud you guys are together. Otherwise, keep it private until it’s official. Wish them both nothing but happiness and a healthy, successful relationship.”

Multiple sources tell Yahoo Lifestyle that Awhina and Billy’s relationship might not be as real as they’re trying to make it out to be on social media, as Billy is reportedly dating someone else.

“About a week ago, I heard Billy was seeing another girl who is an influencer,” one insider shares. “I think Billy and Awhina are just posting these photos because it’s getting them attention, but I feel pretty bad for the girl he was seeing.”

Another source claims that Billy went on a few dates with Awhina’s twin sister Cleo shortly after he filmed MAFS last year, so it would be “weird’ if he were now dating Awhina.

Awhina and Billy first sparked romance rumours in February when Woman’s Day published photos of the pair holding hands and walking along the beach together in Perth. Billy was also photographed attending Awhina and Cleo’s 31st birthday, however, Awhina asserted at the time that they were just friends.

“I will say one thing, Billy and I have actually got a really beautiful friendship. He’s a great guy,” she told Yahoo Lifestyle.

The pair have since hung out multiple times since filming wrapped, and Awhina shared a sweet video on TikTok earlier this week of Billy chatting with her son.

“Honestly they met last year as friends and got along straight away,” she wrote in the comments. “They’re very comfortable around each other.”