Rogue MAFS insider reveals photo ranking argument you DIDN'T see between the show's most controversial couple

Married At First Sight bride Jacqui Burfoot was left reeling after husband Ryan brutally ranked her third in a controversial task last week.

But now insiders reveal the situation was even messier behind the scenes.

During the explosive ranking challenge, Jacqui, 29, confidently placed Ryan, 36, at the top of her list, only to have her new husband later dismiss her with a cold dose of 'honesty' that left producers scrambling for a reaction.

'Jacqui was crying, but not for the reason they made it look,' a source close to Jacqui told Daily Mail Australia.

'She wasn't hurt that Ryan put her third – she was upset about being matched with a man who lacked the emotional intelligence or depth to truly put her first.'

According to the insider, Jacqui never expected Ryan to place her first, believing herself to be around fourth in his eyes.

'She even said in a piece-to-camera that she would have also ranked Rhi and Morena ahead of herself, but that part never made the cut,' they added.

Jacqui's close pal added that the Kiwi-born lawyer was in tears because of the horrific comment's made on the honeymoon that made her think he was like 'misogynist  Andrew Tate.' 

Jacqui reportedly did not feel personally crushed by Ryan's ranking.

'She's spent years building self-love through modelling and pageants, so one man's opinion wasn't about to shake her confidence,' the insider explained.

'Producers were actually disappointed she didn't react more, so they edited in a crying scene from a completely different moment to ramp up the drama.'

Viewers were quick to slam Ryan's behaviour after he hesitated before placing Jacqui in third position, explaining that he was just being '100 per cent honest.'

'Ryan thinks he's doing the right thing, but the reality is, Jacqui never asked for brutal honesty – she wanted to feel like the most special girl in the world,' the insider continued.

'Jacqui just wanted a husband who prioritised her and makes her feel beautiful and special.'

'That task was a big disappointment for her because it just confirmed what she already suspected – Ryan wasn't the man she had hoped for.'

From the start of the experiment, Jacqui made it clear she was looking for intelligence and loyalty in a partner – traits she felt were lacking in Ryan.

'She wanted a man with both EQ and IQ, someone with consideration and devotion,' the source revealed.

'Instead, she got someone who thought ranking her like a contestant in a beauty pageant was the right move.'

Now, with tensions simmering between the pair, it remains to be seen whether their relationship can recover from the damage – or if this brutal challenge has sealed their fate.

Married At First Sight continues Sunday at 7pm on Channel Nine