Married At First Sight UK (MAFS UK) is the latest reality TV show to be hit by controversy after three women accused other participants of sexual abuse and misconduct.
Channel 4 has pulled all previous seasons of Married at First Sight UK from its streaming platforms following “very serious allegations of wrongdoing” made against a small number of past contributors, the broadcaster said.
The BBC reported that two women said they were raped during filming of the dating show, while a third described an allegation of a non-consensual sex act.
The programme sees single people matched by experts to “marry” strangers they meet for the first time on their wedding day. The broadcaster said that all previous seasons of MAFS UK have been removed from its streaming and linear services. The show is produced for Channel 4 by independent production company CPL.
Throughout its history, the reality TV genre has been struck by scandals, over contestant behaviour, as well as the deaths of people who have appeared on shows.
Love Island
The deaths of former Love Island contestants Sophie Gradon, who was found dead aged 32 in June 2018 and Mike Thalassitis, who died by suicide in March 2019 aged 26, led to increased scrutiny over the ITV show’s aftercare.
Former Love Island presenter Caroline Flack also took her own life at the age of 40 on February 15 2020, after learning that prosecutors were going to press ahead with an assault charge after she hit her boyfriend Lewis Burton with her phone over concerns he had been cheating on her.
Strictly Come Dancing
The scandal-hit show was the subject of a review in 2024 when the BBC looked into separate allegations of bullying and harassment against former professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, made by his former dance partner, Amanda Abbington.
The corporation upheld some, but not all, of the complaints made and brought in a series of measures aimed at improving welfare.
This included the introduction of a chaperone who is present “at all times” during training room rehearsals.
Fellow dancer Graziano Di Prima also left the show in 2024 after former dance partner Zara McDermott made allegations of his conduct.
Last year, it was reported the BBC had called in lawyers to investigate the show following claims that two of its stars used cocaine.
Celebrity Big Brother
The reality show, which premiered in the UK in 2001, has been hit with multiple controversies over its history, including accusations of racism, offensive language and the removal of contestants over their behaviour.
In one of the most controversial moments, the late Jade Goody, glamour model Danielle Lloyd and S Club star Jo O’Meara were accused of racism after directing abuse at Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty in 2007.
Complaints from viewers about the behaviour and comments made by the three women reached 45,000 and the show even sparked censure from politicians.Shetty went on to win the series that year as Ofcom ruled against Channel 4 and the channel apologised on air.
In 2016, pantomime star Christopher Biggins was removed from the show after he reportedly joked about Nazi concentration camps to Jewish contestant and singer Katie Waissel, causing her to burst into tears.He also reportedly made remarks about bisexual people being responsible for the spread of Aids.
The following year, How Clean Is Your House? star Kim Woodburn was removed from the CBB house by security after an explosive argument with several housemates.
Former Baywatch star Jeremy Jackson was thrown out of the house in January 2015, and then given a police caution, for pulling open the dressing gown of glamour model Chloe Goodman while he was drunk.
Just days later, comedian and actor Ken Morley was also ejected over repeated sexist and racist comments.
Jeremy Kyle
The Jeremy Kyle Show was cancelled after guest Steve Dymond, 63, died by suicide seven days after filming the programme in May 2019.
Mr Dymond, from Portsmouth, Hampshire, had taken a lie detector test for the show after being accused of cheating on his partner, Jane Callaghan, from Gosport, Hampshire.
Following an inquest, a coroner later ruled that the show’s treatment of Mr Dymond was not a “contributory factor” to his death.
MasterChef
MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace was sacked last year after an inquiry into allegations of misconduct.
A review by law firm Lewis Silkin upheld 45 of the 83 allegations against him, which mostly occurred between 2005 and 2018 and included one of “unwelcome physical contact”.
The report concluded that the “majority of the substantiated allegations against Mr Wallace related to inappropriate sexual language and humour”, adding that “a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated”.
Wallace issued an apology saying he was “deeply sorry for any distress caused” and that he “never set out to harm or humiliate”.
His co-presenter, John Torode, was also sacked from the show after an allegation that he used “highly offensive racist language” was upheld in the review.
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
