By Islam El-Sakka
Channel 4 has announced that Married at First Sight UK will not return for another series following an independent review into contestant welfare that was prompted by serious sexual assault allegations.
Allegations prompt investigation
In May, two women who appeared on the show told the BBC’s Panorama programme they were raped by their on-screen matches during filming, while a third contestant accused her television husband of sexual misconduct.
Review findings
The review, conducted by law firm Clyde & Co and former BBC One controller Lorraine Heggessey, concluded that the show could continue with enhanced safeguards but identified significant risks. Heggessey found that limited contact with the outside world could cause contributors to “lose touch with reality” and that certain format elements “could implicitly put pressure on contributors to be intimate.” Background checks also failed to uncover information withheld by applicants.
Channel 4 response
Chief Executive Priya Dogra said the review did not find that Channel 4 had breached the Ofcom Broadcasting Code or that the format was inherently unsafe. However, she stated the programme had “run its course over ten years” and apologised for the distress caused to the women involved.
Recommended format changes
The review recommended scrapping Intimacy Week and Partner Swap Week, allowing contestants to leave the process even if their partner wishes to stay, separating couples on their wedding night, reducing the number of participating couples, and installing CCTV, panic buttons and bathroom locks in apartments.
Upcoming series shelved
A filmed series of Married at First Sight UK will not be broadcast because it was not produced under the strengthened protocols. Channel 4 said the budget allocated to the show will be reinvested in new programming.
