Married at First Sight UK cancelled at Channel 4 following review of rape allegations

Warning: The following content contains references to sexual assault and misconduct that some readers could find distressing.

Following allegations of rape made by former contestants of Married at First UK and an external review, the series has been cancelled at Channel 4.

All seasons of the reality show were removed from the platform in May after a BBC report suggested two women who had taken part in the series, that sees single people 'marry' strangers they meet for the first time on their wedding day, had come forward to claim they were raped during filming.

One of the women alleged her onscreen husband raped her and threatened her with an acid attack, and another also alleged that her onscreen husband raped her, and that she told Channel 4 before broadcast but her episodes were still aired.

A third woman accused her onscreen husband of sexual misconduct, with the allegations coming to light following a Panorama investigation into the show, titled The Dark Side of Married at First Sight.

Following the Panorama documentary, an external review of the reality show took place. The men involved have denied the accusations made against them.

Contestants on Married at First Sight are matched by a panel of relationship and psychology experts, and the marriages are not legally binding. When news of the allegations became public, Channel 4 suggested "prompt and appropriate action was taken" through contributor welfare protocols they have in place for those taking part.

Channel 4’s CEO, Priya Dogra, later issued an apology at a press briefing after watching the Panorama programme. "I have watched the programme, and heard the women's accounts, which are very troubling," she said, adding, "Their distress is clear, and for that, I am of course deeply sorry."

The review of the series was divided into two parts. One part, led by a legal firm Clyde & Co, looked at how Channel 4 handled the allegations, and a second part probed into welfare protocols on MAFS UK.

The full report is yet to be released, but according to a summary of the first part released by BBC News, is available.

Based on the evidence available and the balance of probabilities, the report found Channel 4 and CPL's (the independent production company behind the UK version of the show) welfare protocols were compliant with Ofcom's broadcasting code.

No breach of a code was found in relation to the handling of issues raised at the relevant times. However the review did note, "There were isolated incidents where the welfare framework was not fully implemented."

It also found, "Channel 4 and CPL could have undertaken a more structured longer-term review over multiple series," and there were certain areas where "the contributor welfare framework could be further strengthened," with recommendations made for how this could be approached.

The second part of the review was led by former BBC One Controller Lorraine Heggessey. This found the welfare protocols for Married at First Sight UK to be "extremely thorough and of a high standard."

It offered observations on "the specific challenges" associated with the show's format, and made "future-facing recommendations".

It concluded that should "enhancements to the existing contributor welfare framework and adjustments to the format" be made, it would be "reasonable to continue to produce future series" of Married at First Sight UK.

However, Channel 4 has now confirmed that season six of the show, which was filmed earlier this year, will not be broadcast, and the series will not resume filming in the future.

A statement from CPL reads, "CPL understands Channel 4’s decision to bring MAFS to an end on the channel.

"The independent reviews gave CPL the opportunity to discuss in depth the welfare processes already in place and that the Heggessey review found that ‘the welfare protocols for Mafs UK were extensive, extremely thorough and of a high standard from which other productions in the industry have learnt’.

"CPL has always put contributor welfare at the heart of its programme making and will continue to do so.

"CPL have worked closely with Channel 4 for many years and throughout the review process, and we look forward to working with them again in the future."