Channel 4's chief executive, Priya Dogra, has expressed regret over the distress caused to female participants on Married at First Sight (MAFS) UK who have made allegations of rape and sexual misconduct. Speaking at the broadcaster's annual report, Dogra said she believed the channel acted appropriately at the time but has commissioned an external review to ensure participant safety.
The BBC's Panorama programme aired allegations from two women who claimed they were raped by their on-screen husbands, and a third woman, Shona Manderson, accused her husband of a non-consensual sex act. All men deny the claims. The Metropolitan Police has reiterated its appeal for anyone with allegations to come forward, stating it is ready to investigate.
Dogra stated: 'I have watched the programme and heard the women’s accounts, which are very troubling. Their distress is clear, and for that I am, of course, deeply sorry.' She added that Channel 4 cannot investigate the specific allegations but has ordered a second look at its handling of concerns.
Ian Katz, Channel 4's chief content officer, expressed confidence that the broadcaster made the right decisions based on knowledge at the time, but acknowledged the need to learn from the situation. MPs on the Commons culture select committee have written to Channel 4 and Ofcom demanding answers, with chair Caroline Dinenage calling the allegations 'horrifying' and raising concerns about participant protection in reality television.
