A former psychologist on Married At First Sight UK has said the series should not have been broadcast, following allegations of rape and sexual assault made by female participants. Dr Jo Hemmings, who worked on the show for more than 20 years, told Channel 4 News that her immediate reaction was that the series should not have aired, and that an urgent investigation is needed.
The upcoming series of the E4 reality show has been postponed after Shona Manderson, a participant from 2023, accused her on-screen partner of sexual misconduct. Two other women also alleged they were raped by their on-screen husbands in a BBC Panorama documentary. All three men deny the allegations.
Dr Hemmings said that during her time on the show, there was a robust vetting procedure, but added that it is impossible to be 100% sure how someone will behave. She stated that her primary concern is always the welfare of contributors, not whether a show goes ahead.
The psychologist called for reality TV to adopt a more wholesome approach, moving away from controversy. She noted that not all reality shows need to be full of conflict, citing The Traitors as a gentler example.
Police have urged potential victims to come forward, stating they have not received any criminal reports related to the allegations. Channel 4 has commissioned an external review into contributor welfare, which is expected to report in the coming months.
