MPs flag “serious concerns” about Channel 4 response after “horrifying allegations" of abuse on Married At First Sight UK

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It comes after Shona Manderson accused her on-screen partner of sexual misconduct while on the Channel 4 show, while two other anonymous women alleged they were raped by their on-screen husbands, while speaking in a Panorama documentary.

Chairwoman of the CMS Committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage, said: “The horrifying allegations about Married At First Sight raise serious concerns over whether enough is being done to protect people taking part in reality television.

“Both Channel 4 and Ofcom, as the broadcasting regulator, have urgent questions to answer.”

A letter to Channel 4 asks about its complaints process for contestants on the programme and the steps taken to ensure the allegations were fully investigated, along with the review announced by the broadcaster.

It also questions the broadcaster about its approach to the duty of care to participants on its other reality TV programmes.

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A CMS Committee message to Ofcom asks it about the role of the broadcasting regulator in the complaints process, its powers to investigate potential breaches of the broadcasting code, and the timeline for launching its own investigation into the Married At First Sight allegations.

On Tuesday, police urged potential victims of sexual assault on reality TV show Married At First Sight UK to get in touch.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “We are aware of media reporting relating to allegations of rape and sexual assault following the airing of a television programme on Monday, May 18.

“At this time, we have not received any criminal reports in relation to this matter.

“We will be making approaches to the relevant production teams to ensure that anyone they have spoken to is aware of how to report any criminal allegations to police.

“We continue to encourage anyone who believes they have been a victim of sexual assault, no matter how long ago it happened, to get in touch with us.”

The show, which is produced for Channel 4 by independent production company CPL, sees single people matched by experts and then “marry”, with couples meeting for the first time on their wedding day.

The “marriages” on the show are not legally binding but the couples go on a “honeymoon” and move in together after their weddings.

Ms Manderson’s on-screen partner Bradley Skelly told Panorama he categorically denies “any allegations of sexual misconduct, or that he was controlling”.

Channel 4 said in a statement released 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.”

Ms Manderson, the only woman of the three who is identified, appeared on the programme in 2023.

Talking to Panorama on camera, Ms Manderson said she deserved better welfare from production company CPL after she alleged her partner, Mr Skelly, took things too far during sex.

In a video shared on Instagram, Ms Manderson claimed that a meeting about welfare with the show’s production team “wasn’t honoured”.

Ms Manderson claimed the couple were using the pull-out method of contraception, but added: “One day, my boundary was crossed and he finished inside me without my consent.”

She added she found out she was pregnant shortly afterwards, but said she did not know if this was from the alleged incident.

Domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid said the allegations made for “disturbing and sobering” viewing.

One woman alleged to Panorama that her onscreen husband raped her and threatened her with an acid attack.

A second said she told both Channel 4 and CPL about being allegedly raped by her on-screen husband, but that her episodes were still aired.

Luke Worley, a former Married At First Sight groom, told The Sun he is “proud” of Ms Manderson for coming forward, and alleged that a couple on his series of the show performed a sex act in front of a female cast member in a holding room, and said some cast members used cocaine in the show’s apartments.

Mr Worley went on to claim that the show’s welfare system was not up to standard, and added it was “about time” the show was held to account.

During his time on the show in 2023, Mr Worley was ejected from the programme after an altercation with co-star Jordan Gayle.

In response to Mr Worley’s claims, Channel 4 said: “Each individual agrees to a standard of behaviour before commencing filming and we take appropriate action on a case-by-case basis if contributors fall below that standard.”

Channel 4 has removed all previous seasons of the show from its streaming platforms.

Shortly before the Panorama episode aired, Channel 4 announced it had commissioned an external review into contributor welfare last month, which it expects to report in the coming months.

Channel 4 said it was “presented with serious allegations of wrongdoing against a small number of past contributors, allegations that we understand those contributors have denied”, and added that it is “mindful of the privacy and continuing duty of care towards all contributors”.

The broadcaster said it cannot comment on or disclose details of the allegations.

Lawyers for CPL reportedly told the BBC its welfare system is “gold standard” and it acted appropriately.

Priya Dogra, chief executive of Channel 4, said she wanted to “express my sympathy to contributors who have clearly been distressed” after taking part in the show, and added that contributors’ wellbeing is “always of paramount importance”.

She added that the “very serious allegations” are “not something that Channel 4 is in a position to adjudicate on”, and added that she felt the broadcaster responded “quickly, appropriately, sensitively and with wellbeing front and centre”.

An Ofcom spokesperson said it had “launched an external review into contributor care on MAFS UK and we await its findings”.

It is understood that no decision has been made on future series of Married At First Sight.

CPL has been approached for comment.