He was widely criticised for being a 'bully' towards Cheryl earlier in this series of Married At First Sight.

But it appears Anthony's public hostility towards the busty brunette could just be the racing commentator's way of dealing with his true feelings.

'Although he'd never admit it, he fancied her as soon as he laid eyes on her, which is why he's been so critical of her,' a source claimed to Woman's Day.

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The insider went on to add that the 33-year-old has been 'hiding the way he feels' about the 25-year-old from the get-go, as he is married to Nadia.

Earlier this month, Anthony led the explosive attack on Cheryl after she returned to the show with new partner Andrew, 38.

'Putting yourself into this position though, where you're having a second time round. You've gotta get it right,' Anthony told Cheryl at the group dinner party.

'You'll look like a f***ing idiot if you get it wrong.' 

He also immediately dismissed Cheryl's connection with fireman Andrew based on her previous partnership with Jonathan.

'It's hard to be convinced that Cheryl's relationship with Andrew will work based on on what I've seen already with her and Jonathan last week,' Anthony said to the cameras. 

Fans took to social media to slam the Sydneysider's comments towards Cheryl, with some calling him a 'bully'.

'@MarriedAU Anthony you are so rude. U do not deserve Nadia and u should leave Cheryl alone. Ur a bully [sic],' one viewer Tweeted.

'Anthony is just a bully competitive d******d. Focus on your own. Poor Cheryl, wish Jonesy stuck up for her more,' another wrote.

Meanwhile, Anthony and his wife Nadia, 36, have had their share of ups and downs.

On Sunday's episode, Anthony raised eyebrows when he labelled his partner as 'frigid' in front of the entire group.

'I'm just trying to work out the boundaries, and there have been times where for lack of a better term you've been frigid,' Anthony explained to Nadia in front of the experts.

'Don't say that in front of people – that's embarrassing!,' Nadia retorted.

The Queensland-based model went on to explain to the group that Anthony isn't overly affectionate himself.

'It's weird I feel in this process. It's been very slow. Even last week I thought you're not very affectionate. It's like getting blood out of a stone,' she said.