MARRIED At First Sight UK bosses have sensationally axed the show’s next series.
The Channel 4 dating show’s next run was due to air in September but has now been canned completely following allegations two previous brides were raped by their on-screen husbands.
Filming for the eleventh series wrapped last month.
It’s the surest sign yet the popular show won’t survive the scandal amid crisis talks over its future.
All ten series have been removed from Channel 4’s streaming site.
The allegations of rape and sexual misconduct were revealed in a BBC Panorama documentary on Monday night.
Two women allege they were raped during filming of the Channel 4 hit show and have accused the production of failing to protect them.
A third has made sexual misconduct allegations about her on-screen husband.
- MAFS UK ‘is facing a police probe’ after two brides claimed they were ‘raped by their on-screen husbands’
- A bride victim revealed she had suicidal thoughts when her series aired and a second ‘was threatened with an acid attack’
- Shona Manderson accused her show husband of ‘taking things too far during sex’ and said she had an abortion
- A former groom slammed the show insisting ‘it’s about time’
- Channel 4 said to be ‘locked in crisis talks’ after explosive doc
Shona Manderson, who appeared on the show in 2023, was one of the brides who opened up on her experiences.
Shona claimed she had an abortion after her on-screen partner Brad Skelly ejaculated inside her without her permission during consensual sex and said she went to get the morning-after pill while accompanied by one of the show’s welfare producers.
But days later, after CPL and Channel 4 removed the couple, Shona discovered she was pregnant.
At the time, it was said he was axed from the show owing to “controlling behaviour”. Shona told Panorama: “I made the choice to go through with an abortion. It was really hard.”
Another bride, known as Lizzie to protect her anonymity, alleged her on-screen husband raped her, was violent during sex, leaving her bruised, and threatened to throw acid at her.
Chloe, a third victim whose name was changed to protect her identity, told bosses she was raped before her series was aired.
She said she and her on-screen husband had been engaging in consensual sex but he had proceeded on one occasion after she said no.
The men deny all the allegations against them.
The BBC said the investigation raised serious concerns that welfare procedures on the reality series had failed contributors, leaving vulnerable participants at risk.
Channel 4 and independent production company ItCPL have said that their welfare system is robust and comprehensive, but have announced an external review of their protocols.
In a statement, Channel 4 chief executive Priya Dogra said: “It would be wholly inappropriate for me to comment on what are very serious allegations made against some MAFS UK contributors. Those allegations – which I understand are disputed by the contributors accused – are not something that Channel 4 is in a position to adjudicate on.
“We are also mindful of our ongoing duty of care to all contributors, and the need to preserve the anonymity and privacy of all involved.
“On the claims that Channel 4 may have failed in its duty of care, I believe that when concerns about contributor welfare were raised, and based on the information available at the time, Channel 4 acted quickly, appropriately, sensitively and with wellbeing front and centre.”
Married at First Sight UK is a reality TV experiment where singletons agree to wed total strangers, matched by a panel of relationship experts.
It originated in Denmark in 2013 and reached the UK in 2015, but there are over 35 versions around the world.
