Channel 4 Starts Inquiry Into Rape Allegations on ‘Married At First Sight UK’
Channel 4 has initiated an investigation following allegations from two women who claim they were raped by partners they met on the popular reality series Married at First Sight UK (MAFS). The allegations, which also involve a third woman claiming a non-consensual sex act, are set to be featured in an upcoming BBC Panorama documentary.
The accused individuals have denied the allegations. Channel 4, along with the show’s producer CPL Productions, stated that all welfare protocols were adhered to during the production process.
According to a recently published BBC News article, one woman has accused her on-screen husband of raping her and threatening her with an acid attack. Another woman reported that despite informing Channel 4 and CPL Productions about her rape incident involving her on-screen husband, her episode still aired.
In response to the allegations, Channel 4 characterized the claims as “wholly uncorroborated and disputed,” yet it has launched an investigation and removed all episodes of MAFS from its streaming service. Lawyers representing CPL Productions also indicated that they dispute parts of the allegations.
Channel 4’s CEO, Priya Dogra, revealed that an external review was commissioned in April following serious allegations against a small number of past contributors. An initial internal inquiry found that appropriate action was taken regarding welfare concerns raised through existing protocols. “Channel 4 strongly refutes any claim to the contrary,” the network said.
The external review comprises two components. One, overseen by Clyde & Co, will assess the welfare protocols in place during the time the claims were made, as well as how Channel 4 and CPL handled these claims. The other is led by former BBC One Controller Lorraine Heggessey, who will examine potential enhancements to current protocols for MAFS UK to further bolster contributor welfare.
Channel 4 expects the review to conclude in the coming months, promising to share a summary of its findings and recommendations at an appropriate time. This marks at least the third external review the network has initiated in the last decade, following investigations into the suicide of true crime producer John Balson and concerns over the conduct of Escape to the Chateau hosts Dick and Angel Strawbridge.
In her statement, Dogra acknowledged the gravity of the allegations but maintained that Channel 4 acted swiftly and sensitively regarding contributor welfare concerns. “Nevertheless, because we aspire to the highest standards of contributor welfare, I felt strongly as Channel 4’s new CEO that it was right that we look again at how we handled issues raised at the time and ask whether changes should be made to further strengthen contributor welfare,” she added.
Married at First Sight UK, which has been a significant success for Channel 4 for over a decade, has seen all episodes temporarily removed from the network’s video-on-demand service. The show is also broadcast in several territories, including the U.S. on Peacock.
CPL Productions declined to make any comments beyond referencing Channel 4’s statement.
