A second female contestant on Married at First Sight UK has revealed that she also raised concerns about Shona Manderson's groom, Brad Skelly, during filming. This follows Ms Manderson's allegation that Mr Skelly committed a non-consensual sex act against her, as detailed in a Panorama documentary aired this week.
Laura Vaughan's Statement
Laura Vaughan, who appeared as a bride on the 2023 series alongside Ms Manderson, took to social media to share a video. In it, she told followers that the documentary has raised questions about safeguarding processes for reality television. Ms Vaughan stated that while she enjoyed 'large parts' of her experience on MAFS UK, there were also 'systemic failures' within the process.
She continued: 'I had my own interactions with Shona's groom that I found challenging and uncomfortable. I raised these concerns to welfare and to their credit they were taken seriously at the time.' Ms Vaughan added: 'Shona made a really valid point about welfare afterwards. Particularly in a situation such as Shona's where there is ongoing trauma, I think having access to the right professionals is absolutely key.'
Shona Manderson's Allegations
Ms Manderson told Panorama that she became pregnant after Mr Skelly ejaculated inside her without her permission during filming. She described how she 'completely lost her light' during the process and went with a welfare team member to obtain the morning after pill. Later discovering she was pregnant, she made the difficult decision to have an abortion, though she does not know for certain if the pregnancy resulted from the incident. Mr Skelly has denied any suggestion of sexual misconduct or controlling behaviour.
Broader Safeguarding Concerns
In her response, Ms Vaughan said: 'The documentary has raised a much bigger and broader conversation around safeguarding, particularly on shows where individuals are living intimately with strangers under intense emotional pressure.' She noted that while vetting processes are robust, they cannot safeguard against first-time offenders or those who conceal problematic behaviours. She emphasised the need for deeper conversations about attitudes towards women, sex, emotional control, and misogyny, especially in casting men for such shows.
Additional Allegations in Panorama
Two other women, referred to by pseudonyms Lizzie and Chloe, also alleged rape by their on-screen husbands. Lizzie claimed her husband raped her and subjected her to violent sex, often leaving her bruised, and allegedly told her 'You can't say no, you're my wife' before raping her. He also allegedly threatened to throw acid over her if she told anyone. Lawyers for CPL, the production company, told Panorama that Lizzie did not mention the 'can't say no' comment to their team and the acid remark was considered a 'passing comment', not a threat. CPL took action once Lizzie said she felt unsafe.
Chloe described being raped by her MAFS husband, with allegations raised with CPL and Channel 4 prior to airing, yet the episodes featuring her were broadcast. She said her partner told her: 'You're making me feel like a rapist.' Both men implicated deny the allegations.
Channel 4's Response
Following the documentary, Channel 4 removed all ten series of MAFS UK from its streaming service. No decision has been made regarding the eleventh series, which has finished filming and was scheduled to air in September. An external review into contributor welfare was commissioned last month after the claims emerged. Experts warn the allegations could end the show in the UK.
Politicians have raised concerns, with Dame Caroline Dinenage, chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, writing to Channel 4 and Ofcom about 'serious concerns' regarding their response. Farah Nazeer, chief executive of Women's Aid, called the episode 'disturbing and sobering viewing', stating that 'producers have a duty of care to contestants and a responsibility to younger viewers'.
Channel 4 chief executive Priya Dogra expressed being 'deeply sorry' for the distress caused, but noted that Channel 4 cannot investigate specific allegations, as those are for other bodies, including the police. She commissioned an external review days after being contacted by the BBC in April. Lawyers for CPL maintain that their welfare processes are 'gold standard'.
