Channel 4 has removed all previous seasons of Married at First Sight UK from its streaming and linear services following “very serious allegations of wrongdoing” against a small number of past contributors. The broadcaster confirmed the decision in a statement on Monday, noting that those accused have denied the allegations.
The move comes after a BBC Panorama investigation in which two women said they were raped during filming of the dating show, and a third described a non-consensual sex act. One woman, using the pseudonym Lizzie, alleged that her on-screen husband raped her and threatened her with an acid attack. She is pursuing a legal claim against the show's production company, CPL. Lawyers for her on-screen husband said he denies rape and claims all sexual contact was consensual.
A second woman, referred to as Chloe, alleged that she was groped while asleep and that her on-screen husband had sex with her after she said no. She said she told Channel 4 and CPL before broadcast but her episodes were still aired. Lawyers for her on-screen husband said that sex started consensually but that he stopped when she withdrew consent, and he denies groping.
A third woman accused her on-screen husband of ejaculating inside her without permission. He categorically denied any allegations of sexual misconduct, insisting the relationship was based on mutual consent.
Baroness Kennedy, chair of the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority, called for an external investigation and said the show should not be on air at all. Channel 4 said it cannot comment on the allegations but stated that when concerns were raised through welfare protocols, prompt and appropriate action was taken.
