Two women say they were raped during filming of dating show Married At First Sight UK (MAFS UK), while a third has described an allegation of a non-consensual sex act.
The women, who outlined the allegations in a BBC Panorama documentary aired on Monday, claimed that Channel 4 programme did not do enough to protect them.
Channel 4 said “prompt and appropriate action was taken” when welfare concerns were raised.
It added that all previous seasons of MAFS UK have been removed from its streaming and linear services, and it announced that it had in April commissioned an external review into contributor welfare.
The show, which is produced for Channel 4 by independent production company CPL, sees single people matched by experts “marry” strangers who they meet for the first time on their wedding day.
Channel 4 said in a statement issued on Monday: “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.”
CPL has been approached for comment. Lawyers for CPL reportedly told the BBC that its welfare system is “gold standard” and that it acted appropriately.
A government minister described the allegations as “shocking and deeply concerning”.
Security minister Dan Jarvis told BBC Breakfast: “I’m extremely concerned to hear about these allegations.”
He said Channel 4 and CPL have a “hugely important responsibility” to “look very carefully” at the allegations and make sure they are fully investigated.
The “very serious nature” of the allegations means there will likely be a police investigation, he added.
“These are shocking and deeply concerning allegations, and of course they must be very thoroughly investigated.”
What are the allegations against Married At First Sight UK?
One woman told BBC Panorama that her on-screen husband raped her and threatened her with an acid attack.
Lawyers for her on-screen husband said he denies rape and said that all sexual contact was entirely consensual. He also denies being violent towards her or making violent threats to her, they said, according to the BBC.
A second said that she told both Channel 4 and CPL, before broadcast, about being allegedly raped by her on-screen husband, but that her episodes were still aired, the BBC reported.
Lawyers for her on-screen husband said that he challenged details of her account, according to the BBC.
Lawyers reportedly said the sex started consensually, but she communicated through her body language that she'd withdrawn consent, and he then stopped immediately.
A third woman, Shona Manderson, the only woman to have been named, has accused her on-screen husband Bradley Skelly of ejaculating inside her without permission when they were having sex.
Mr Skelly released a statement where he categorically denied “any allegations of sexual misconduct” or that he was “controlling”.
He insisted their relationship “was based on mutual consent, care and affection,” according to the BBC.
A spokesperson for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport 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.”
What has Channel 4 said?
Priya Dogra, recently-appointed 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.”
What will the review entail?
In its statement on Monday, Channel 4 said the review would have two elements.
It said: “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.”
Will the show now be cancelled?
All previous seasons of MAFS UK have been removed from Channel 4’s streaming and linear services.
According to the BBC, the latest series of the show has been filmed and is expected to be broadcast later this year.
The Independent has approached Channel 4 and CPL for clarification regarding this.
Rape Crisis offers support for those affected by rape and sexual abuse. You can call them on 0808 802 9999 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, and 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland, or visit their website at www.rapecrisis.org.uk. If you are in the US, you can call Rainn on 800-656-HOPE (4673).
