Two women who ‘wed’ strangers on a hit Channel 4 reality show have claimed they were raped by their onscreen husbands.
Panicked bosses at the broadcaster were locked in crisis talks last night after it emerged that the episodes of Married at First Sight UK featuring one couple were aired despite producers being aware of the allegations.
The long-running series, in which singles are paired together by a panel of experts, has now been removed from Channel 4’s streaming service.
The marriages for the ‘social experiment’ are not legally binding and cameras follow the couples’ every move as they go on ‘honeymoon’ then move in together.
Two women who participated alleged to the BBC that they were raped by their ‘husbands’, while a third has claimed she was sexually assaulted.
Multiple departments from the broadcaster held talks yesterday whilst an email from the production company CPL instructed staff not to speak out, in the wake of the Panorama report.
The long-running series, in which singles are paired together by a panel of experts, has now been removed from Channel 4’s streaming service
One participant of the programme, who did not wish to be identified, accused her husband of raping her and threatening her with an acid attack, and is now looking to pursue legal action against CPL.
‘Lizzie’, as she was named to keep her anonymity, said her partner often lost his temper when the cameras were not on them.
Sex, she said, soon became violent and would leave her bruised even after she ‘kept saying stop,’ she told the BBC.
‘He said that if I told anybody what had happened, that he would get someone to throw acid at me,’ Lizzie said.
Describing one alleged attack, she said: ‘We were in our apartment, on the sofa, and he tried to have sex with me. And I kept saying no, that I didn’t want to do it.
‘But he kept saying, “You can’t say no, you’re my wife”. And he just did it anyway.’
Lawyers for CPL told Panorama that Lizzie did not mention the ‘can’t say no’ comment to its team and the ‘acid’ remark was mentioned as a passing comment, not a threat.
CPL took action as soon as Lizzie said she felt unsafe, the lawyers added.
A second woman, named as Chloe, alleges she was raped by her husband before broadcast, though Channel 4 aired her episodes despite her telling the channel and producers.
‘He smirked and climbed on top of me, moved my leg… By that time, I’d really given up and I just didn’t want him to be angry at me when the cameras came,’ she said.
‘I just lay there, and I stared out the window.’
After filming finished, she told the show’s psychiatrist, alerting CPL who then went to Channel 4. When Chloe complained to the broadcaster, she only received a response once the series was on air. Lawyers for CPL told the BBC it followed welfare protocols.
Both men involved deny the allegations, Panorama added.
Shona Manderson, who appeared on the show in 2023, has publicly gone on the record to allege her partner, Bradley Skelly, sexually assaulted her.
Mr Skelly told the BBC in reply he understood Ms Manderson had consented to the act and categorically denies ‘any allegations of sexual misconduct’ or that he was ‘controlling’ and their relationship “was based on mutual consent, care and affection”.
The Daily Mail can reveal producers of the under-fire dating series sent a letter to all staffers who have worked across any of its 10 series, urging them not to speak out or post on social media.
In the letter seen by the Mail, production company CPL, who make the show, told staffers of the accusations airing and urged them not to speak out to journalists who approach them.
They also warned against them posting on social media or identifying any of the accused males.
It read: ‘Please be mindful of commenting publicly or privately. It is prudent not to speculate about anything that is reported or commented on especially on social media, or to name any cast member in any posts as there may be legal reasons preventing anyone from doing so.
‘Please be aware that anything you say or post may be picked up and shared on social media or used in the press now or at a later date.’
The company has also set up a dedicated email for employees to email which is being monitored each night for staff to contact.
Following the accusations, Channel 4 announced they have commissioned an external review into the claims, conducted by law firm Clyde & Co, to examine the existing welfare protocols in place at the time claims were raised, as well as the handling by Channel 4 and CPL.
In a statement, a spokesman for the broadcaster said it had the ‘most comprehensive and robust welfare protocols in the industry’.
They said: ‘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.
‘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.
Shona Manderson, who appeared on the show in 2023, has publicly gone on the record to allege her partner, Bradley Skelly, sexually assaulted her.
‘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.
‘Notwithstanding the actions taken at the time, Channel 4’s recently appointed CEO, Priya Dogra instructed an external review of contributor welfare on MAFS UK last month.’
Ms Dogra said last night that she wanted to express her ‘sympathy to contributors who have clearly been distressed’ after taking part in the show, but pushed back on claims Channel 4 had failed in its duty of care.
She 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.’
The Daily Mail contacted CPL for comment.
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