Channel 4 has pulled 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 said.
The BBC reported that two women said they were raped during filming of the dating show, while a third described a non-consensual sex act. The programme, produced by CPL, matches single people to “marry” strangers they meet on their wedding day.
In a BBC Panorama investigation, one woman, referred to as Lizzie, said her onscreen husband raped her and threatened her with an acid attack. She is pursuing a legal claim against CPL. Lawyers for her onscreen husband said he denies rape and that all sexual contact was entirely consensual, also denying violence or threats.
A second woman, using the pseudonym Chloe, alleged she was groped while asleep by her onscreen husband and that he continued despite her saying no. She said she told both Channel 4 and CPL before broadcast about the alleged rape, but her episodes were still aired. Lawyers for her onscreen husband disputed her account, saying he stopped immediately after she withdrew consent.
A third woman accused her onscreen husband of ejaculating inside her without permission. He categorically denied “any allegations of sexual misconduct” and insisted the relationship was based on “mutual consent, care and affection”.
Baroness Kennedy, chair of the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority, said Channel 4 should bring in an external investigatory team and that the show should not be on air. Channel 4 said it could not comment on allegations that had been denied, and believed that appropriate action was taken when welfare concerns were raised.
