Channel 4 has removed all episodes of Married at First Sight UK (MAFS) from its streaming and linear services following serious allegations of rape and non-consensual sex acts involving participants on the show. According to a BBC Panorama investigation, three women have come forward with allegations that they were not adequately protected by the production team during filming.
Key Takeaways
Channel 4 has removed all episodes of Married at First Sight UK from its streaming and linear services following serious allegations of rape and non-consensual sex acts involving participants on the show. According to a BBC Panorama investigation, three women have come forward with allegations that they were not adequately protected by the production team during filming.
- Channel 4 removes all episodes of MAFS UK from streaming and linear services
- Three women allege rape and non-consensual sex acts involving participants on the show
- DCMS describes claims as 'serious,' emphasizing need for consequences in cases of criminality or wrongdoing
- Ofcom states broadcasters must take due care over welfare of show participants
- Metropolitan Police urge potential victims to come forward, though no formal reports have been filed yet
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has described the claims as 'serious,' emphasizing the need for consequences in cases of criminality or wrongdoing. Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, stated that broadcasters must take due care over the welfare of show participants. The Metropolitan Police have urged potential victims to come forward, though no formal reports have been filed yet.
Channel 4 commissioned an external review last month after being presented with serious allegations of wrongdoing. The broadcaster has since removed all episodes from its streaming service All4, linear services, as well as MAFS UK social media channels. Lawyers for CPL, the independent production company behind the show, maintain that their welfare system is 'gold standard' and industry-leading.
One woman reportedly told BBC Panorama that her onscreen husband had raped her and threatened her with an acid attack. A second said she had been raped by her onscreen husband and had told Channel 4 and CPL before broadcast, but that her episodes were still aired. A third woman named Shona Manderson accused her onscreen husband of sexual misconduct.
The show's production includes background checks, a code of conduct setting out behavioral standards, and daily contributor check-ins with a specialist welfare team. None of the women who came forward reported their allegations to the police. The government stated that 'all the allegations must be investigated' and that 'there are consequences for criminality or wrongdoing'.
MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee have written to Channel 4 and Ofcom with 'serious concerns' about their response to the allegations. The committee's chairwoman Caroline Dinenage questioned whether enough is being done to protect reality television participants. The letter asks about the complaints process for contestants, steps taken to investigate the allegations, and the review commissioned by Channel 4.
Channel 4 has stated that it believes it 'acted quickly, appropriately, sensitively and with well-being front and centre' when concerns were raised. The broadcaster strongly refutes any claim to the contrary. The external review into the welfare of participants on the programme is ongoing.
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