Married At First Sight UK is facing new allegations from three former participants of the show, with claims ranging from sexual assault to abuse. These accusations come after a BBC Panorama investigation revealed two women’s accounts of being raped by their on-screen husbands while filming the Channel 4 show, as well as a third allegation involving a non-consensual sexual act.
The programme has now been called for cancellation, with Channel 4’s chief executive, Priya Dogra, expressing deep regret for the contributors who have come forward. In addition to these claims, two more brides and one groom from the show—where contestants are married in a non-legally binding ceremony—have also shared their experiences.
One of the groom’s allegations involves pressure from show producers to remain silent after reporting a claim of sexual assault involving his co-star. According to a report in The Mirror, he claims that his partner on the show became aggressive after a night of drinking and allegedly removed his underwear without his consent.
He told the publication that he initially did not disclose the alleged assault, hoping to salvage the relationship. However, he later spoke with a senior member of the welfare team about his concerns. He said: “They contacted me saying I’d signed an NDA [non-disclosure agreement] and shouldn’t be speaking negatively about the process.”
Another woman shared her experience of trauma following her appearance on MAFS UK, stating she felt controlled by her partner on the show. She claimed that she was sometimes pressured into intimacy and described a lewd act performed by her husband, followed by unwanted physical contact. She added: “He banned me from drinking or speaking to production staff without him. Production would say, ‘It’s going to be okay.’ Staff bought me a drink to help smooth things over after I complained.”
A second woman alleged that her husband from MAFS UK would throw objects and call her names. She said: “They’d separate us into breakout rooms to get both sides of the story. A lot of times they will ask you, is there any way you might have provoked it? My biggest thing – I cannot be left in a room with this man. There’s this concept he’s your husband, but he ain’t. It’s not legally binding. It’s just a dating show.”
In response to these allegations, the broadcaster announced in April that it had commissioned an external review into contributor welfare on the show. Channel 4 referred to its previous statement when contacted for comment, which stated: “MAFS UK is produced under some of the most comprehensive and robust welfare protocols in the industry. These include the most thorough background checks available, a Code of Conduct which clearly sets out behavioural standards, daily contributor check-ins with a specialist welfare team and access to additional support before, during and after filming. The physical and psychological wellbeing of all contributors is of paramount importance throughout the process. All duty of care processes are regularly reviewed and, where appropriate, strengthened.”
After the initial Panorama claims, lawyers representing CPL, the production company behind MAFS UK, stated that their welfare system was “gold standard” and that they acted appropriately in all cases.
CPL has not yet responded to further inquiries regarding this story.
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