A former bride on Married At First Sight UK has alleged that her on-screen husband performed a lewd act and touched her face without consent, and that production staff were aware but encouraged her to continue. Speaking to the Mirror after the BBC Panorama investigation, she claimed she was isolated and restricted from speaking to staff or drinking without her partner present.
The bride said she reported incidents to welfare staff, who she described as presenting as a best friend but later likened to grooming. She alleged she felt pressured into intimacy, stating: 'I had sex with my partner and whilst I wasn’t forced, I felt pressured.' She said the couch ceremonies were not a safe space because couples returned to apartments off camera with no protection.
She underwent months of psychological assessments but believes she gave producers a 'blueprint on how to expose me and use me'. She claimed she had a history of controlling relationships and was paired with someone who controlled her every move. She also questioned how much information the relationship experts received, saying they 'had zero idea what was going on'.
The allegations come after Channel 4 removed all ten series from its platforms and scrapped the upcoming series following a Panorama investigation that revealed claims of rape and sexual assault by on-screen husbands. The Metropolitan Police has urged potential victims to come forward.
The bride added: 'They need to properly safeguard people instead of just creating drama. This Panorama story is only the beginning of hearing the nightmares people have had.' Channel 4 has commissioned an external review, insisting its welfare protocols are robust, but industry sources suggest the show is unlikely to return.
