Allegations that two women were raped by their on-screen husbands while filming Married at First Sight UK (MAFS UK) will likely be investigated by police, a government minister has said.
Security minister Dan Jarvis said he was “extremely concerned” to hear about the allegations surrounding the show that sees single people matched by experts and then “marry” strangers, who they meet for the first time on their wedding day.
He told BBC Breakfast on Tuesday that Channel 4, which airs the programme, and production company CPL, have a “hugely important responsibility” to “look very carefully” at the allegations and ensure they are fully investigated.
Mr Jarvis added: “Given the very serious nature of these allegations, I think it’s highly likely that there will be a referral to the police and it will be a police matter for them to investigate.
“These are shocking and deeply concerning allegations, and of course they must be very thoroughly investigated.”
One woman told BBC Panorama that her onscreen husband raped her and threatened her with an acid attack. A second said that she told both Channel 4 and CPL, before broadcast, about being allegedly raped by her onscreen husband, but that her episodes were still aired.
A third woman, Shona Manderson, who appeared on the show in 2023, has accused her onscreen husband of sexual misconduct, claiming she was subject to a non-consensual sex act.
None of the women the BBC has spoken to has reported their allegations to the police, it was reported. The men deny the accusations, according to the BBC.
Ms Manderson, the only woman of the three who has agreed to be identified, told BBC’s Panorama she deserved better welfare from production company CPL after she alleged her partner, Bradley Skelly, took things too far during sex. In a statement to the programme, he said he categorically denies “any allegations of sexual misconduct, or that he was controlling”.
In the video on Instagram, she added: “The short time that I was on the show, I completely lost my light. There were behaviours in my relationship which were not okay, and at the time I excused a lot of behaviour. I couldn’t see things for what it was, and I wasn’t in a position to advocate for myself at the time.”
She added that some elements of her welfare care were “really, really strong” and some individuals were “amazing”, but added: “This isn’t about individuals. This is a wider issue, and at the end of the day, I shouldn’t have been in the position that I was in.”
Dame Caroline Dinenage, chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, said the premise of the dating show was “horrifying” but she was “unsurprised” by the sexual assault allegations.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4 Today on Tuesday, she said: “Clearly, the programme was deeply shocking. I guess what surprised me most was how unsurprised I was by what it revealed, given I suppose, as you say, that these are couples that get married without having met each other before, and then immediately have to assume a life as a married couple.
“They go on honeymoon, they share a bed, and in this kind of bubble of intimacy under the glare of a TV camera. In the cold light of day, it really is quite horrifying, isn’t it?”
Asked if the format of the show was “guaranteed” to cause trouble, Dame Caroline said: “The whole format of the programme is that you’re setting up an artificial bubble in which there’s almost an expectation that people will become intimate with each other. And I think people probably feel contestants probably feel almost obliged to do so.”
It is understood that media minister Ian Murray will meet with Channel 4 bosses later on Tuesday.
Downing Street described the allegations as “extremely concerning”, welcoming Channel 4’s decision to commission an external review.
The prime minister’s official spokesperson added that “where wrongdoing or criminality is found, there must be consequences or appropriate action to ensure that none of this will ever happen again”.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport told the BBC: “All allegations must be referred to the appropriate authorities and investigated with the full co-operation of those involved, with action taken to ensure that the highest standards are upheld and there are consequences for criminality or wrongdoing.”
Channel 4 has removed all previous series of it from its streaming platforms since the “very serious allegations” were made following an 18-month BBC Panorama investigation broadcast on Monday evening.
Lawyers for CPL reportedly told the BBC its welfare system is “gold standard” and that it acted appropriately, while Channel 4 has commissioned an external review into contributor welfare.
“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,” a statement from the broadcaster issued on Monday said.
“The channel is mindful of the privacy and continuing duty of care towards all contributors, and cannot comment on or disclose details of those allegations.
“Related to those allegations, Channel 4 was asked to respond to claims of failures in welfare protocols.
“Channel 4 believes that when concerns related to contributor welfare were raised through existing welfare and production protocols, prompt and appropriate action was taken, based on the information available at the time. Channel 4 strongly refutes any claim to the contrary.”
Channel 4 said MAFS UK is produced under “some of the most comprehensive and robust welfare protocols in the industry”, including background checks, a code of conduct setting out behavioural standards and “daily contributor check-ins with a specialist welfare team”.
The broadcaster said the two-part review will consist of law firm Clyde & Co investigating welfare protocols and handling of the claims, while former BBC One controller Lorraine Heggessey will lead an examination of current contributor welfare measures.
It expects the review to report in the coming months and will share a summary of findings and recommendations.
Rape Crisis offers support for those affected by rape and sexual abuse. You can call them on 0808 802 9999 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, and 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland, or visit their website at www.rapecrisis.org.uk. If you are in the US, you can call Rainn on 800-656-HOPE (4673)
