MAFS UK removed from Channel 4 after two 'brides' claim they were raped by on-screen 'husbands'
Topics: Married at First Sight UK, Channel 4, TV And Film, Crime
Rhiannon Ingle
Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images
Topics: Married at First Sight UK, Channel 4, TV And Film, Crime
Warning: This article contains discussion of rape and sexual misconduct which some readers may find distressing.
Married At First Sight UK has now been removed from Channel 4 after two 'brides' claimed they were raped by their on-screen 'husbands'.
The show sees single people matched by experts and then 'marry' strangers, whom they meet for the first time on their wedding day.
The 'marriages' on the show are not legally binding, but the couples go on 'honeymoons' and move in together after their weddings.
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The two women who appeared on the British reality TV show, made by production company CPL and broadcast by Channel 4, shared their claims with the BBC, with a third woman describing an allegation of a non-consensual sex act.
One woman, who has been given the pseudonym 'Lizzie', told the BBC she was raped and threatened with an acid attack. CPL says she described the sex as consensual, though rough, and reported the acid comment as a passing remark. The man denies rape and making violent threats.
Another woman, given the pseudonym 'Chloe', claims her husband raped and groped her, and says she informed CPL and Channel 4 before the footage was aired.
He disputes parts of her account, saying the encounter began consensually and he stopped when he sensed she was no longer consenting. He denies groping her.
Contestant Shona Manderson said her on-screen husband, Bradley Skelly, ejaculated inside her without consent while they were using withdrawal as contraception.
The pair were removed from the show, and Shona later became pregnant and had an abortion.
Channel 4 says she described all sexual contact as consensual at the time.
CPL says Bradley told producers he wore a condom, though his lawyers later admitted he had not. He denies all allegations of sexual misconduct.
None of the women has reported the allegations to the police, it was reported.
All three women claim the show did not do enough to protect them, as detailed in a new BBC Panorama documentary, The Dark Side of Married at First Sight, which aired last night (18 May).
Channel 4 commissioned an external review of welfare on MAFS UK in April after being made aware of the allegations.
Channel 4 has now removed all previous seasons of the TV show from its streaming platforms after 'very serious allegations' were made following the 18-month BBC Panorama investigation.
Channel 4 said that MAFS UK is produced under 'some of the most comprehensive and robust welfare protocols in the industry', including background checks, a code of conduct setting out behavioural standards and 'daily contributor check-ins with a specialist welfare team'.
The broadcaster said the two-part review will consist of law firm Clyde & Co investigating welfare protocols and handling of the claims, while former BBC One controller Lorraine Heggessey will lead an examination of current contributor welfare measures.
It expects the review to report in the coming months and will share a summary of findings and recommendations.
"While the review is ongoing and until we receive any conclusions and recommendations – and considering Channel 4’s ongoing duty of care to all contributors, the seriousness of the allegations levelled against a small number of past contributors, and out of an abundance of caution to avoid fuelling speculation or jigsaw identification – all previous seasons of MAFS UK have been removed from Channel 4 streaming and linear services at this time, alongside Channel 4’s MAFS UK social channels," Channel 4 shared in an official statement.
A spokesperson for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) told the BBC: "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."
A spokesperson said: "MAFS UK is a reality television series which sees single people - matched by experts - ‘marry’ strangers who they meet for the first time on their wedding day. It is produced for Channel 4 by independent production company CPL.
"MAFS UK is produced under some of the most comprehensive and robust welfare protocols in the industry. These include the most thorough background checks available, a Code of Conduct which clearly sets out behavioural standards, daily contributor check-ins with a specialist welfare team and access to additional support before, during and after filming. The physical and psychological wellbeing of all contributors is of paramount importance throughout the process. All duty of care processes are regularly reviewed and, where appropriate, strengthened.
"In April, Channel 4 was presented with serious allegations of wrongdoing against a small number of past contributors, allegations that we understand those contributors have denied. The channel is mindful of the privacy and continuing duty of care towards all contributors, and cannot comment on or disclose details of those allegations.
"Related to those allegations, Channel 4 was asked to respond to claims of failures in welfare protocols. Channel 4 believes that when concerns related to contributor welfare were raised through existing welfare and production protocols, prompt and appropriate action was taken, based on the information available at the time. Channel 4 strongly refutes any claim to the contrary.
"Notwithstanding the actions taken at the time, Channel 4’s recently appointed CEO, Priya Dogra instructed an external review of contributor welfare on MAFS UK last month.
"This review is now underway and has two elements. The first, conducted by law firm Clyde & Co, is examining the welfare protocols in place on this programme at the time claims were raised, as well as the handling by Channel 4 and CPL of those claims.
"Alongside the lawyer-led review, Channel 4 has commissioned an external industry expert to examine if any changes should be made to current protocols for MAFS UK to further strengthen contributor welfare. This work is being led by former BBC One Controller Lorraine Heggessey, who is a highly experienced media executive with deep understanding of programme making, as well as being a vocal advocate for rigorous welfare protocols in TV production.
"Channel 4 expects the review to report in the coming months and will share a summary of findings and recommendations at the appropriate time.
"While the review is ongoing and until we receive any conclusions and recommendations – and considering Channel 4’s ongoing duty of care to all contributors, the seriousness of the allegations levelled against a small number of past contributors, and out of an abundance of caution to avoid fuelling speculation or jigsaw identification – all previous seasons of MAFS UK have been removed from Channel 4 streaming and linear services at this time, alongside Channel 4’s MAFS UK social channels."
Priya Dogra, Chief Executive of Channel 4, said; "I want to express my sympathy to contributors who have clearly been distressed after taking part in Married at First Sight UK. The wellbeing of our contributors is always of paramount importance.
"It would be wholly inappropriate for me to comment on what are very serious allegations made against some MAFS UK contributors. Those allegations – which I understand are disputed by the contributors accused – are not something that Channel 4 is in a position to adjudicate on. We are also mindful of our ongoing duty of care to all contributors, and the need to preserve the anonymity and privacy of all involved.
"On the claims that Channel 4 may have failed in its duty of care, I believe that when concerns about contributor welfare were raised, and based on the information available at the time, Channel 4 acted quickly, appropriately, sensitively and with wellbeing front and centre.
"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.
"That’s why last month I commissioned an external review of contributor welfare on MAFS UK. That review will report to me in the coming months.
"We take these issues very seriously and are committed to ensuring that we continue to lead the industry in our duty of care for contributors."
Tyla has reached out to Channel 4 for further comment.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact the Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline on 0808 500 222, available 24/7. If you are currently in danger or need urgent medical attention, you should call 999.