Love is Blind as a concept would be bonkers enough if everyone on it were well adjusted well meaning people.
For those not in the know, the Netflix dating show sees people spend weeks in ‘pods’ speaking to different romantic prospects with a dividing screen preventing them ever seeing each other in the flesh.
After they decide they like what they hear, they see each for the first time, with the proposal being the first sight the man gets of his future bride.
Whilst every season has had twists and turns, Netflix’s latest instalment has perhaps been the most eventful and frankly shocking of them all.
We’re talking cheating scandals with a man sending ‘kinky texts’ whilst engaged, couples being prematurely nixed by the producers, some of the most awkward reveals of all time, and just general chaos all season long.
One particular moment though was especially shocking, and it concerned the burgeoning marriage of Ashley Adionser and Tyler Francis.
Ashley and Tyler’s Love is Blind romance
Tyler and Ashley got off to a great start on Love is Blind (Netflix)
The couple were a great match in the pods, getting into some emotional chats and showing clear chemistry.
Whilst there were a few hiccups once they met face-to-face – notably Tyler’s propensity for barking – the pair fell into a good groove, with him managing to get the approval of Ashley’s family.
Tyler’s bombshell revelation
A shock came, however, when she found out that Tyler had hidden his three children from her.
In the show, it is revealed that he has fathered three children through ‘sperm donation’ that he failed to mention, two girls – Kali and Kamari – and a boy – Kyreaux.
Ashley was noticeably taken aback in the episode when it was revealed, with her finding out off screen but the cameras picking up the aftermath.
She told Tyler: “I’m replaying and thinking of every conversation we’ve had where this could have been brought up, and I’m thinking ‘Why? Why? Why? Why?’”
Ashley was emotional after learning the news (Netflix)
Did Tyler really conceive his children through sperm donation?
Whilst we won’t spoil whether they end up together in the episodes that aired today on Netflix, the revelations have not stopped just because the cameras are off.
The mother of Tyler’s children has come out this week and stated that not only were two of their children not a sperm donation, but they were conceived naturally.
Bri Thomas came out this week in a series of posts on Instagram, where she claimed that the children were unplanned.
Tyler cut an emotional figure on the show (Netflix)
She stated that their oldest child was a sperm donation as Tyler helped her and her then-wife conceive, and he was not intended to take on the role of a father.
Bri went on to say that after her wife left her, Tyler asked to step into that role and, despite being a lesbian, she became sexually involved with him.
This led to the unplanned pregnancy, and she became pregnant with twins before their first child turned one.
‘I’ll always be thankful for him’
She said: “Tyler, as my best friend, was there for me, helping me through this extremely, extremely tough time in my life. And for that, I’ll always be thankful for him”.
She went on to say regarding the two children they conceived naturally: “They were conceived before Kyreaux turned 1, and I admit, fully admit I have not always been the most comfortable with that truth due to the fact that I’ve lived the majority of my life as a lesbian.”
Bri Thomas revealed the drama in a series of Instagram videos (Bri Thomas via Instagram)
Regarding him not acknowledging his kids on the show, she said: “I can’t wrap my head around why he felt the best way to do that would be to cut off the kids.
“Then, to make matters worse, lie on national television and say they’re merely sperm babies and they don’t know what he looks like.
“That all hurts. I understand. This is for everyone’s entertainment. But this is our real lives. And, you know, it sucks. It really sucks.”
LADbible has reached out to Tyler Francis for comment.