Warning: this report contains details of alleged sexual offences and misconduct.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has described allegations of sexual assault made in relation to Channel 4’s Married at First Sight (MAFS) UK as “serious” and said there must be consequences for any criminality or wrongdoing.
A BBC Panorama investigation broadcast allegations from three women who say they were sexually assaulted while filming the show. Two women allege rape and a third says she was subject to a non-consensual sex act. The programme said the women felt Channel 4 and the independent production company CPL did not do enough to protect them.
Channel 4 has removed all episodes of MAFS UK from its linear channels, streaming service and social accounts. Holiday firm Tui said it was pausing sponsorship. Channel 4 said it commissioned an external review of welfare on the show last month after being presented with “serious allegations of wrongdoing.” CPL, which produces the UK series, said its welfare systems are “gold standard” and that it had acted appropriately in the cases raised.
Channel 4 chief executive Priya Dogra expressed sympathy for contributors who had been distressed by their experience and said the broadcaster had “acted quickly, appropriately, sensitively and with well-being front and centre” when concerns were raised. When asked if she wished to apologise to the women, she declined to comment and walked away from reporters.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis said he was “extremely concerned” and urged Channel 4 and CPL to investigate fully. He added that, given the severity of the allegations, a police referral was “highly likely”.
Ofcom, the broadcasting regulator, reminded broadcasters they must take “due care” over the welfare of people at risk of significant harm. An Ofcom spokesperson said it noted Channel 4’s external review and would examine the findings and all other available evidence.
At a Culture, Media and Sport Committee session, former Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon said the programme contained “very serious and concerning allegations” and backed an investigation. Committee chair Caroline Dinenage observed the format involves rapid intimacy between strangers and said protections should be in place before, during and after filming; she warned the women involved sometimes only realised the extent of what had happened afterwards.
Details of the allegations reported by Panorama include:
– One woman said her on-screen husband raped her and threatened her with an acid attack; she now wishes to pursue legal action against CPL.
– A second woman told both Channel 4 and CPL, before broadcast, that she had been allegedly raped by her on-screen husband; her episodes were still aired.
– A third woman, identified as Shona Manderson in the programme, accuses her on-screen husband, Bradley Skelly, of ejaculating inside her without asking for consent.
Representatives for the men involved have disputed the allegations. Lawyers for the first man’s on-screen husband said he denied rape and any violence or threats, and said all sexual contact was consensual. Lawyers for the second man said he accepts the sex began consensually but that he understood the woman to have signalled withdrawal by body language and that he stopped immediately. Bradley Skelly said he believed Manderson had consented to him ejaculating inside her and “categorically” denied any sexual misconduct or controlling behaviour, describing their relationship as “based on mutual consent, care and affection.”
MAFS is a global reality format in which strangers are paired in a staged “marriage” and then live together while being filmed. The show is not a legally binding marriage but has generated large audiences for the UK version across 10 seasons, regularly reaching viewers in the millions. The latest season has already been filmed and was expected to air later this year.
Former safeguarding minister Jess Phillips said specialist domestic abuse and sexual violence advisors should have been available on set and that any sign of trouble should prompt immediate intervention. Farah Nazeer, chief executive of Women’s Aid, called for robust safeguarding, trauma‑informed approaches and involvement of independent organisations not paid by the production company.
A DCMS spokesperson said: “All allegations must be referred to the appropriate authorities and investigated with the full co-operation of those involved, with action taken to ensure that the highest standards are upheld and there are consequences for criminality or wrongdoing.” An Ofcom spokesperson reiterated broadcasters’ duty of care and said they would review the broadcaster’s external review and other evidence.
If you have information about this story, BBC reporter Noor Nanji can be contacted via [email protected].
