Staff members have claimed that the hit Channel 4 show Married at First Sight UK had an 'unhealthy' focus on sex, with one former crew member describing the culture as 'toxic from the top down'. The allegations come after two female cast members said they were raped by their on-screen partners, and a third reported a nonconsensual sexual act.
All three men have denied the allegations. Production company CPL said it has gold-standard welfare policies, while Channel 4 has launched two investigations into the show—one into its handling of complaints and another into whether welfare protocols need changing.
Former worker Soraya Spiers told the BBC there was an expectation for couples to give hints about sleeping together on their wedding night. Another anonymous staff member said senior producers expressed concern if couples were not having sex, as it was 'not good for storylines'. Another claimed cast members were given excessive alcohol.
CPL responded that contributors are not pressured to be intimate and that solo sleeping arrangements are always available. It also said alcohol intake is limited and overseen by welfare teams. Channel 4 stated that contributor welfare is its primary concern and that it commissioned an external review in April.
The allegations have sparked debate about whether the show's format, which expects intimacy, can guarantee safety. Several former contributors and staff told the Guardian they did not believe it could.
