FROM the icy plains of Antarctica to the small screen, things are heating up for Andrew Hill.

The Rockhampton native tied the knot with a complete stranger last night on Channel 9's reality dating show Married at First Sight.

The gentle giant's smile was a mile wide when he laid eyes on his bride, Melbourne student Vanessa.

Perhaps it was a smile of relief, considering Vanessa's limousine broke down and delayed her arrival to the ceremony.

The show's expert matchmakers are hoping opposites attract for the pair; Andrew is the strong, silent type while Vanessa is talkative and has a big, loud Italian family.

"Falling in love with her is definitely a possibility,” he said on the show.

Andrew, 30, readily admits to being a bit shy. The former military man, who grew up in Rockhampton from the ages of eight until he joined the Army at 18, only recently returned from the Antarctic where he maintained the ice runway for planes transporting scientists to and from the research station.

He now lives on the Gold Coast, working in construction and renovating properties for profit.

All that was missing from his life was that special woman, until now. Andrew said he was inspired to go on the show after he was king hit two years ago.

"It was a big wake-up call to get out there and appreciate life more,” he said.

"It opened me up to the possibility of love.”

Cameras will next catch up with the couple the morning after their nuptials in Sunday's episode. They will then go on a honeymoon before moving in to a Sydney apartment for the remainder of the reality show's eight-week experiment.

Married at First Sight continues on Sunday at 7pm on Channel 9.