Channel 4 have removed all previous seasons of Married At First Sight UK, after serious allegations of sexual assault were made by former participants during a BBC Panorama investigation.
Allegations were made from three women who featured on the show, with two of them alleging they were raped by their on-screen husbands, while a third woman, Shona Manderson who did not feature on Panorama, claimed she committed a non-consensual sex act with her on screen husband, Bradley Skelly.
Channel 4 have said an external review into the contributor welfare was commissioned in April, after it was presented with "serious allegations of wrongdoing against a small number of past contributors". The contributors have denied these allegations.
Responding to the claims made against him, Manderson's husband, Bradley Skelly said that he denies "any allegations of sexual misconduct, or that he was controlling".
"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", Channel 4 said in a statement. "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".
"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", the broadcaster continued. "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", they added. "Channel 4 strongly refutes any claim to the contrary".
Taking to social media, Shona Manderson, said she did not appear in Panorama, as she hoped that by sharing her story, she would contribute to a wider conversation about welfare and positive change.
"I did, a year after my experience on MAFS, say to production I would like a meeting about my welfare, and my meeting wasn't honoured," she said. "We never had that meeting. I had some really constructive points that I would have brought up in that meeting. I guess I just did it with the BBC instead".
Manderson claimed that she "completely lost my sight" during her time on the show in 2023.
"There were behaviours in my relationship which were not okay, and at the time I excused a lot of behaviour," she said. "I couldn’t see things for what it was, and I wasn’t in a position to advocate for myself at the time".
While she did insist that parts of her welfare care were "really really strong" and some of the people on the show were "amazing", Manderson added: "This isn’t about individuals. This is a wider issue, and at the end of the day, I shouldn’t have been in the position that I was in".
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The chief executive of Channel 4, Priya Dogra 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", she continued. "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", she added. "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".
The broadcaster said that MAFS UK was 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".
Elsewhere, Ofcom, Britain's media regulator said they were aware of these "serious allegations" which were mentioned by Panorama and researchers from Aston University about participants welfare in the TV programmes, especially Married At First Sight UK.
"Under our rules, broadcasters are required to take due care over the welfare of people who might be at risk of significant harm as a result of taking part in a programme," the spokesperson said. "We note that Channel 4 has launched an external review into contributor care on MAFS UK and we await its findings. We will review this and all other evidence made available to us".
An examination of the current contributor welfare measures will be led by former BBC One controller, Lorraine Heggessey, while law firm, Clyde & Co will investigate welfare protocols and the handling of claims.
A summary of these findings will be declared in the coming months, according to Channel 4.
