A former bride on Married At First Sight UK has come forward with disturbing allegations about her experience on the show, claiming her on-screen husband performed a 'lewd act' and touched her face without consent. She also alleged he restricted her movements, banning her from drinking or speaking to production staff without him.
The woman, speaking to the Mirror following a BBC Panorama investigation, said she reported incidents to welfare staff but was encouraged to continue filming. She claimed production staff bought her a drink to 'smooth things over' after she complained. Describing the welfare team, she said: 'They present as your best friend... but if I look back on it now, I would say it’s more like grooming.'
She alleged she felt pressured into intimacy, stating: 'I had sex with my partner and whilst I wasn’t forced, I felt pressured.' She criticised the lack of safeguarding once couples returned to their apartments off-camera, saying: 'The couch ceremonies are supposed to be a safe space... but you go back to your apartment afterwards and there are no cameras there and nobody to protect you.'
The bride said she underwent months of psychological assessments before the show, but now feels she gave producers 'the blueprint on how to expose me and use me'. She claimed: 'They knew I had a history of abusive, controlling relationships and paired me with someone who controlled my every move.' She also questioned how much information the show's relationship experts had, saying: 'The experts had zero idea what was going on.'
These claims come after Channel 4 removed all ten series of MAFS UK from its streaming platform and scrapped the upcoming series following a Panorama investigation that revealed allegations of rape and sexual assault by on-screen husbands. The Metropolitan Police has urged potential victims to come forward, stating they will approach production teams to ensure reporting routes are clear.
Channel 4 has commissioned an external review, insisting their welfare protocols are 'some of the most comprehensive and robust in the industry'. However, industry sources suggest the show is unlikely to ever air again.
