Channel 4 has launched an investigation after two women were accused of being raped by partners they met on the hit series Married to First Sight UK (MAFS).
These allegations, which will be discussed as part of the BBC Panorama Monday evening’s documentary, including a third woman, who said she suffered a non-consensual sexual act. The three men accused of wrongdoing have denied the allegations, while Channel 4 and producer CPL Productions said that social policy was followed.
According to a recently published BBC News article, one of the women alleged that her on-screen husband raped her and threatened to throw acid on her. The second one said she told Channel 4 and CPL that she was raped by her husband on screen and her episode is still being aired.
Channel 4 told BBC News that the allegations were “unsubstantiated and disputed,” but the network has since launched an investigation and removed them all. MAFS episodes from its streaming service. Lawyers for CPL Productions told BBC News they dispute parts of the claims.
Channel 4 chief executive Priya Dogra said it issued an external review in April. This happened after Channel 4 was “presented with serious allegations of wrongdoing by a small number of contributors in the past” and was initially asked to investigate internally, which found that “when concerns relating to the welfare of contributors were raised through existing social and production policies, prompt and appropriate action was taken, based on the information available at the time.” “Channel 4 strongly disputes any claim to the contrary,” the network said.
The external review has two aspects, Channel 4 said. The other, led by law firm Clyde & Co, is “examining the social policies in place in the system when claims were raised, and Channel 4 and CPL’s handling of those claims.” One is led by former BBC One Controller, Lorraine Heggessey, who is investigating whether “any changes should be made to the current agreements MAFS UK to continue to strengthen the welfare of donors.”
Channel 4 said it expects the review to report in the coming months and will share a summary of the findings and recommendations “in due course.” It’s at least the third external review we’ve launched this decade, following the suicide of true crime producer John Balson and Criminal Behavior. Escape to the Chateau hosts Dick and Angel Strawbridge. Balson’s review found that Channel 4 had acted “reasonably and appropriately” in its duty of care before the producer took his own life. Channel 4 severed ties with Strawbridges after the review.
While commenting “it would be totally inappropriate for me to comment on the most serious allegations against others MAFS UK stakeholders,” Dogra said he believed Channel 4 had “acted quickly, appropriately, sensitively and with welfare front and center” when “concerns about the welfare of contributors arose.”
“Nevertheless, because we want to achieve high standards of donor welfare, I felt strongly as the new CEO of Channel 4 that it was right for us to look again at how we handled the issues that were raised at the time and ask if changes should be made to continue to strengthen the welfare of donors,” he added. “We take these issues very seriously and are committed to ensuring that we continue to lead the industry in our stakeholder care.”
Married to First Sight UK is one of Channel 4’s biggest hits and has been on air for over a decade. As of now, all episodes have been removed from Channel 4’s VoD player. The show is broadcast in many locations around the world, including the US on Peacock.
CPL Productions declined to comment beyond a reference to Channel 4’s statement.
