The upcoming season of Married At First Sight UK has been indefinitely postponed as Channel 4 conducts an external review into the welfare of contestants. The decision comes in the wake of serious accusations of rape and sexual assault by three former stars of the E4 series.
Calls for the show to be canceled intensified after a BBC Panorama investigation revealed claims that two women were raped during filming and a third experienced a non-consensual sex act. The individuals accused of these acts have denied the allegations.
Earlier this year, a former contestant was arrested on suspicion of rape, an investigation that is ongoing. The Metropolitan Police have urged anyone who believes they have been a victim of sexual assault after appearing on the show to come forward.
Channel 4 boss Priya Dogra, who initially did not offer an apology following the Panorama broadcast, has since expressed deep regret. The broadcaster had previously pulled all episodes of the popular show.
Lawyers for CPL, the production company behind Married At First Sight UK, stated after the claims first emerged in May that the show's welfare system is "gold standard" and that the company acted appropriately in all reported cases. However, they noted that Lizzie, one of the accusers, did not mention a specific "can't say no" comment to the production team, and an alleged "acid" remark was made in passing and not as a direct threat.
Shona Manderson, who waived her anonymity, alleged that her on-screen husband, Bradley Skelly, engaged in a non-consensual sex act while filming. Skelly denies any allegations of sexual misconduct. Manderson stated that she "completely lost her light" during her time on the show and later discovered she was pregnant, though she is unsure if the pregnancy resulted from the alleged incident.
Another participant, identified as "Lizzie," accused her on-screen partner of rape and threatening her with an acid attack, stating that she repeatedly said "no" but was told, "You can't say no, you're my wife." Her lawyers are reportedly considering legal action against CPL.
A second unidentified woman, named Chloe, alleges she was raped by her husband before episodes aired. Despite informing the channel and producers of her experience, her episodes were broadcast. Lawyers for CPL maintain that welfare protocols were followed.
Married At First Sight pairs single individuals who meet for the first time at the altar and then enter into non-legally binding marriages. The show follows their experiences as they embark on a honeymoon and move in together.
The current season, filmed between January and March, is yet to be broadcast, and reports suggest the stars are hoping it may never air. A source indicated to The Sun that while other Channel 4 shows are scheduled for September, "there's no MAFS." The show is reportedly "on ice" until executives can assess what is salvageable after the review is completed.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis expressed extreme concern, stating that the situation would likely be referred to the police for investigation. Media Minister Ian Murray has also met with Channel 4 leadership to discuss the scandal.
Industry experts suggest the scandal could significantly impact reality television. There is a growing sentiment that the days of pairing strangers for such shows may be over, with potential implications for insurance, legal oversight, casting, and psychological screening in future productions. Dame Caroline Dinenage commented that the show's premise of marrying strangers before meeting them and immediately assuming a married life is "quite horrifying."