My Mum Your Dad star and MDX student speaks about time on hit ITV show

Monique Payneeandy has had an inspiring journey as a mature student returning to education while battling a chronic health condition

A Middlesex University student has revealed all about her time on the hit ITV series My Mum, Your Dad which returned on Monday (16/9).

Mum-of-two Monique Payneeandy, who studies Psychology with Neuro Science at MDX, was a contestant on the dating show which pairs mothers and fathers as their children watch from behind the scenes. While she failed to find lasting love, after being put forward by her daughters Peareace and Taiya, she gained renewed enthusiasm for dating. “It is a format that works because I’m definitely up for dating again which I wasn’t before,” said Monique, who is also a grandmother of one. “It’s given me so much confidence and I’ve made loads of new friends and been introduced to so many amazing people being on the show.”

She revealed the process of applying was rigorous with extensive background and health checks. For the filming in May last year, Monique spent just over two weeks in the lavish Viola House in West Sussex, which she described as ‘absolutely stunning’. After two dates, she concluded they weren’t right for her. She said: “I explored the connections but they just were not for me, we were only talking for 48 hours. He didn’t take an interest in me and seemed not to be there for a genuine connection, so it felt like they were wasting my time.”

When the show aired, Monique was trolled for her portrayal by some on social media as seeking a party lifestyle in Ibiza. “It just may have looked a bit like I was the woman who dropped the nice guy for the other one but I’ve been to Ibiza about six times already. Ibiza has so many other beautiful parts of the island which are spiritual and calm, I don’t go in the party season. Overall the editing was fantastic and I could understand the reasoning behind how it is edited because the scope and drama grabs the viewer.”

She has even become very good friends with one of the dads Paul and mums Caroline and Sharon.

Monique advises the parents seeking love this time round: “Be true to yourself, and don’t play a part, and go with your gut instinct because that’s what I did. And just enjoy it because it is over so quickly. I went there with complete panic and fear. Now I would go back with the energy of just enjoying myself and taking each day as it comes, and try to date everybody, because this is what I didn’t do. I was sort of old school and of the view that the guy needs to make the first connection but now I don’t see it like that now because guys are terrified as well.”

It has been a remarkable few years for Monique as she suffers from Fibromyalgia and ADHD, which causes widespread and consistent pain in the body and which she likened to the aftermath of an ‘MMA fight’. The chronic condition can be sparked by mental state and in Monique’s case it was triggered by the passing of her father. She eventually stopped her long term job managing the spa at the Royal Garden Hotel before having an unhappy experience as an estate agent which then led her to apply for university. “Before university I was in so much pain. I was breaking out in bruises, absolutely shattered and couldn’t sleep and felt like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders.”

Eventually Monique, from Winchmore Hill, North London, decided to realise her ambition to study psychology and returned to university at 49, following her older daughter Peareace who is now a successful data analyst after graduating. Now in her third year, Monique is planning to study a Master’s at Middlesex and work as either a Psychotherapist or Neuropsychologist. She said: “I’d wanted to study psychology for 20 or 30 years, so it was time to give it a go and why not go and do it. I just persevered because this is what I wanted and the rest is history.

“It has been challenging but really fulfilling, It has given me so much drive, I feel like everybody who goes on this long summer break after the semester can’t wait to get back. The University has become like a family and home, and we’ve built such close connections and its routine for us. This is purpose and one step closer to my goal.”

Find out more about studying Psychology at Middlesex University.