LOVE Is Blind UK’s Stephen broke the hearts of viewers as he revealed his last ex left him after a battle with cancer.
The smash-hit Netflix series has made its way to UK shores, with Matt and Emma Willis hosting 30 singletons hoping to find love sight unseen by spending time talking in “pods”.
Steven opened up about an ex-girlfriend and their split in the pods[/caption] Sabrina was on hand to offer him a shoulder to lean on during the discussion[/caption]During one chat, Belfast marketing entrepreneur Sabrina was seen bonding with 37-year-old gym owner Steven.
As they grew closer, Sabrina opened up about the discovery that the man she knew to be her father wasn’t her biological dad, with Steven supporting her as she opened up.
Eventually, he responded in kind about a significant relationship he had outside the show.
“Listen, there’s something you need to know about me,” he then told her.
“I was seeing somebody, a long term girlfriend, who at one point I thought probably was my person that I was gonna get married to.”
As Sabrina took that in, he continued: “She was ill for quite a few months, just sporadically, and we didn’t know why.
“Eventually she had a consultation, and the consultant came in, and he then proceeded to say that they’d found a tumour.”
“For the next few months, I watched someone who I loved dearly, basically fight for her life,” Steven explained, adding their relationship eventually ended as a result.
“After about eight months, she basically said, sat beside me, and just said, ‘I can’t do us anymore. I just need to focus on me’,” he said. “It was tough.
When Sabrina asked if the girl was OK, Steven added: “I think so. At the time, I just cared about her, and if that was the deal, that she’d survive, but we wouldn’t, then that was fine by me.
“It’s something that was difficult but defined who I am and my approach today in life.”
Sabrina praised Steven, admitting she wished she could give him a hug as they were separated by a wall.
She told him: “You have a very unique outlook in life, which I really respect and appreciate. Honestly, I feel closer to you today.”
Fans also admitted they were caught up in the emotions of the show.
“Steven wanting his ex to survive even if it wasn’t with him.. where is this water coming from in my eyes?!!? #LoveIsBlindUK,” said one emotional viewer.
“Sabrina’s first question about Steven’s ex being ‘is she ok’ is so wonderful,” said another. “Look at all these people getting life-saving healthcare my god!!!! Please fund the NHS appropriately!!!! #LoveIsBlindUK”
By the end of the episode, Steven had got down on one knee and proposed to Sabrina, with the pair heading off on the next stage of the adventure together.
Joining the rest of the engaged couples in Corfu, Greece, the show will now track how they adapt to ‘normal’ life in the weeks running up to their wedding.
If they make it down the aisle, they’ll be able to decide whether they can survive away from the experiment, and if love truly is blind.
Love Is Blind continues Wednesdays on Netflix.
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