A former Married At First Sight UK cast member has been arrested on suspicion of rape, the Metropolitan Police has said.
It comes after a BBC Panorama investigation revealed two female participants, speaking anonymously, had accused their MAFS partners of rape. A third woman alleged a non-consensual act. All three men denied the allegations.
In a statement issued to the BBC, the Metropolitan Police said: "This relates to an ongoing investigation, being led by the Met Police.”
They added of the suspect, who is not being named at this time: "He has since been bailed while enquiries remain ongoing."
Anyone who makes a rape accusation is legally entitled to anonymity.
Channel 4 removed all previous seasons of MAFS UK from its online streaming service within hours of the BBC announcing its Panorama special.
It has since deleted the MAFS UK Instagram account and the future of the show, which had become one of Channel 4’s most popular programmes in recent years, now remains unclear.
The broadcaster’s chief executive Priya Dogra said she “deeply sorry” after the allegations, adding that a review into contributor welfare was underway.
Dogra added that she would not be able to fully respond until the review is completed later this summer.
Speaking at a briefing for the broadcaster’s annual report last month, she continued: “That said, I have watched the programme and heard the women’s accounts which are very troubling.
“Their distress is clear, and for that I am, of course, deeply sorry. Welfare across all our programmes is hugely important to us, and is a primary concern.
“However, I’m sure you’ll appreciate that Channel 4 cannot investigate the specific allegations against the men, which they have denied, nor can I comment on them in any way.
“We are a broadcaster, not an adjudicator, and allegations of this type are investigated by other bodies, including when complaints are raised by the police.”
The Australian version of MAFS has also come under scrutiny in recent weeks, after a separate BBC investigation alleged multiple female participants were not told about their partners’ violence and drug convictions.
