UMVA has learned that Married At First Sight UK is facing mounting allegations of misconduct, with three former stars coming forward with shocking claims of abuse, sexual assault, and exploitation.
The allegations, which range from non-consensual sex acts to violent behavior, have sparked calls for the show to be canceled. Channel 4's chief executive has apologized to the contributors who have come forward, saying she is "deeply sorry" for their experiences.
A groom, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has alleged that he was pressured by show producers to keep quiet after reporting a claim of sexual assault involving his co-star. He claims that his partner on the show became aggressive after a night of drinking and allegedly ripped off his underwear, despite him saying "no".
Another woman has come forward with allegations of trauma and exploitation, claiming that she felt controlled by her partner on the show and was pressured into intimate acts. She also alleges that production staff failed to take her concerns seriously, with one staff member telling her "it's going to be okay" after she complained.
A second woman has alleged that her husband on the show would "throw things and call her names", and that she was not taken seriously by production staff. She claims that they would separate her and her partner into breakout rooms to get both sides of the story, and that they would ask her if she had provoked the abuse.
The allegations have led to an external review into contributor welfare on the show, which was commissioned by Channel 4 in April. The broadcaster has pointed to its comprehensive welfare protocols, including thorough background checks and daily contributor check-ins with a specialist welfare team.
However, the allegations suggest that more needs to be done to protect contributors on the show. The production company behind MAFS UK has previously stated that its welfare system is "gold standard" and that it acted appropriately in all these cases.
The show's format, which sees contestants wed in a non-legally binding ceremony, has raised questions about the level of protection and support provided to contributors. As the allegations continue to emerge, it remains to be seen whether the show will be able to recover from the mounting criticism.
