Channel 4 chief executive Priya Dogra has apologised for the distress caused to female participants on Married at First Sight UK who have made allegations of rape and sexual misconduct. Speaking at the broadcaster's annual report, Dogra said she believed the channel had acted appropriately at the time but has commissioned an external review to ensure participant safety.
The apology follows a BBC Panorama programme in which two women alleged they were raped by their on-screen husbands on the show. A third participant, Shona Manderson, accused her on-screen 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.
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 specific allegations, which are matters for the police.
Ian Katz, Channel 4's chief content officer, defended the broadcaster's handling of concerns raised at the time but acknowledged the need for a second look. MPs on the Commons culture select committee have written to Channel 4 and Ofcom demanding answers, with committee chair Caroline Dinenage calling the allegations 'horrifying'.
