A former psychologist for Married At First Sight UK has stated that the series should not have been broadcast, following allegations of rape and sexual assault by female participants.
Allegations and reactions
Shona Manderson accused her on-screen partner of sexual misconduct while appearing on the Channel 4 show. Two other women alleged they were raped by their on-screen husbands in a BBC Panorama documentary. All three men deny the allegations.
Dr Jo Hemmings, a former psychologist for the programme, told Channel 4 News: “My immediate reaction was that I don’t think the series should have been broadcast. My second reaction was probably that an investigation needs to be launched pretty urgently. And I suppose my third response was, where on earth in a pretty tight welfare system did that situation, how was it able to fall through the net, and that’s something I don’t have the answer to at the moment.”
Show format and welfare concerns
The show, produced by CPL for Channel 4, matches single people who then “marry” after meeting for the first time on their wedding day. The marriages are not legally binding, but couples go on a honeymoon and live together afterward.
Dr Hemmings said that if allegations had been raised during her time on the show, she would have spoken to the producer, adding: “My absolute concern is always the welfare of the contributor, I’m not really bothered about whether a show goes ahead or not.” She noted that during her tenure, there was a “very robust vetting procedure,” but acknowledged that “you can’t be 100% sure in terms of predictability, how someone is going to behave.”
Direction of reality TV
Dr Hemmings criticised the trend toward increased controversy: “Every reality TV series, barring perhaps The Traitors, that’s gentle and kind, and we all enjoy it, doesn’t have to be full of conflict. But people want to increase the level of controversy as series go on, and I think this is where the direction of travel is wrong. I think we’ve got to bring it back to something, which is, for want of a better word, it’s more wholesome. I don’t want it traveling down a road, particularly when it evolves intimate relationships, where conflict, controversy, combative behaviour, becomes the name of the game. This is not the way reality TV should go.”
Police and production response
Police have urged potential victims of sexual assault on the show to come forward, stating they have not received any criminal reports related to the allegations and will speak to production teams. Ms Manderson’s on-screen partner, Bradley Skelly, told Panorama he “categorically denies any allegations of sexual misconduct, or that he was controlling.”
Channel 4 said in a statement: “In April, Channel 4 was presented with serious allegations of wrongdoing against a small number of past contributors, allegations that we understand those contributors have denied.” The broadcaster commissioned an external review into contributor welfare last month, expected to report in the coming months. Lawyers for CPL reportedly told the BBC its welfare system is “gold standard” and it acted appropriately. Channel 4 and CPL have been approached for comment.
