Married At First Sight expert John Aiken calls out Layton for making Melinda feel 'rejected and abandoned' after refusing to take part in couple swap task

Married At First Sight expert John Aiken has slammed Layton Mills for making his wife Melinda Willis feel 'rejected and abandoned'.

Last week, Layton, 35, felt betrayed by his wife because she refused to boycott the controversial couple-swap task, in which the pair was instructed to switch partners with rival couple Harrison Boon and Bronte Schofield.

During Sunday night's commitment ceremony, John called out Layton for making Melinda, 33, feel 'rejected' by 'shutting her down'.

'Layton these are massive things and that's why you need to hear them. This relationship is a one way street and it makes her feel rejected, abandoned and that's why you have got to find out how she feels,' John said.

'But you're not calculating, you're not trying to shut Mel down to make her feel hurt. You're a guy that has to start letting go, to start saying yes, to start saying I'm sorry.'

Melinda also explained to Layton: 'During the three days I didn't hear from you and that morning you had an opportunity to come talk to me and you didn't.'

'I literally thought he resents me to the point he doesn't want to come back. I felt very neglected, very rejected, very judged, very guilty, very disliked.'

During the couple swap challenge, Melinda agreed to let Harrison, 32, move into their apartment to live for a weekend.

However, Layton reluctantly agreed to do some tasks with Bronte but refused to sleep in the same apartment out of principle.

He then refused to return to the couple's suite after the challenge was completed because he felt Melinda hadn't supported his decision. 

Frustrated by the stalemate, Melinda stormed over to Layton's apartment to confront him.

'I'm hurt. I've been scared all these three days and worried about what is going to happen and how I can let you know that I was there for you,' she explained.

'I was so upset and angry at you for three days. My heart is breaking and then to have someone come in and says, "Mel, sorry, Layton is not coming back."'

Layton explained he 'felt attacked' when Melinda agreed to do the couple swap with Harrison even though he was not comfortable with it.

'I have backed you every step of the way in this experiment,' he added.

Melinda said she cared about Layton 'so much' but feared he no longer felt the same way about her just because she did what the experts asked of them. 

'You know how much I care about you. I didn't want to live with Bronte and I didn't feel supported,' he replied.

Melinda said: 'I didn't want to attack you or change your mind. I just wanted to make sure you had different perspectives.'

After spending the night apart, Layton return to the apartment the following day and the couple agreed to continue working on their relationship.