Former and current workers on Married at First Sight UK have described an “unhealthy” emphasis on whether cast members were having sex, with one crew member calling the culture “toxic from the top down”. The claims, reported by the BBC, come after two female participants alleged they were raped by their on-screen partners, and a third said she was subjected to a nonconsensual sexual act. All three men deny the allegations.
One former staff member, Soraya Spiers, told the BBC there was an expectation on the wedding night for crew to gauge if couples would sleep together, despite having only just met. Another anonymous worker said senior producers expressed concern if a couple were not having sex, as it was “not good for storylines”. The cast were also reportedly given excessive access to alcohol.
Channel 4 has launched two investigations into the show, one focusing on its handling of complaints and another on whether welfare protocols need changing. The allegations have sparked debate about whether the format, which marries strangers at a mock wedding, can guarantee participant safety. Several former contributors and staff told the Guardian they did not believe it could.
CPL, the production company, denied the claims, stating that contributors are not pressured to be intimate and that solo sleeping arrangements are always available. It said an alcohol protocol limits intake during dinner parties, overseen by executive producers and the welfare team. Channel 4 said contributor welfare is its primary concern and that it commissioned an external review within days of being contacted by the BBC in April.
