Channel 4 accuse press of ‘regurgitating’ claims MAFS UK groom was allowed to appear despite being arrested for ‘leaving his ex with black eyes and broken ribs’ – and attempt to downplay allegations

Channel 4 has accused the press of ‘blaming’ a report that a Married at First Sight groom in the UK was allowed to appear on television despite being arrested on suspicion of assaulting his ex-girlfriend.

The broadcaster was warned that a contestant accused of abandoning the woman with black eyes and broken ribs would be released on bail, but decided to air the episode anyway.

When the Daily Mail approached the channel last night to respond to the newspaper reports – already under pressure amid rape allegations from other MAFS UK grooms – we were accused of ‘regurgitating’ the news.

A senior Channel 4 press officer told us: ‘This was well covered by the press at the time, including the Mail.

‘Please ensure this is not presented as new news as this would be deliberately misleading.’

He added: ‘If you still plan to regurgitate this piece, please include the following statement.’

In the official statement made to Us and other newspapers, he attempted to distance Channel 4 from the incident and did not acknowledge the seriousness of the allegations against the former contestant.

The statement, written at a time when the channel was struggling to avoid being dragged into further scandals, included the following statements: ‘The allegations against this person were not related to the time he spent on the program.

Shona Manderson, who gave anonymity, claimed Bradley Skelly engaged in a non-consensual sex act while filming the Channel 4 programme, a claim he denies

‘He was arrested after filming was completed, was not charged and police took no further action following the investigation.

‘The allegations were reflected in the press at that time.’

According to the report, at the time the series in question was airing, a senior manager is said to have told the complainant’s family that ‘we are not judge and jury’, and their family refused to film footage featuring the person accused of harassment at the time. Sun.

A family friend said yesterday: ‘They tried to warn Channel 4 that the contestant had been arrested on domestic violence charges and the episode had to be cancelled, but they were ignored.

‘The bosses seemed to be more worried about their ratings. The contestant’s welfare must be a priority.

‘There should have been a tighter protection system.’ This show needs to be shut down.’

The woman told friends she felt bad after seeing the man in trailers and adverts for the new series of MAFS UK.

Those close to him desperately tried to warn the channel about his allegations, but were told the decision was made to go on air because the DBS check came back clean.

They said they took the concerns seriously and went to ‘significant lengths’ to ensure the suitability and welfare of contestants.

Paul C Brunson is the show’s relationship expert and matchmaker

Mr Skelly said he understood his on-screen partner (pictured together) had consented and in a statement said he categorically denied ‘any allegation of sexual harassment’ or that he was ‘controlling’.

After vetting the show’s dating expert and matchmaker, the friends managed to reach a manager and shared their concerns over the phone.

Later, five days before the episode aired, the contestant in question was arrested on suspicion of domestic abuse and later released on bail.

Channel 4 became aware of this development but still refused to remove him from the line-up.

According to The Sun, he had previously been removed from another C4 program, but the broadcaster said he was not aware of this because a different company produced MAFS.

All of this comes against the backdrop of the uproar that ensued when two former participants claimed they were raped by their on-screen husbands and a third woman claimed she was the victim of sexual abuse.

Channel bosses canceled the new series of the show in light of the allegations and all ten series of MAFS UK were removed from the streaming service.

On Tuesday the Metropolitan Police appealed for any women with allegations linked to the scheme to contact them.

A spokesman for the force said: ‘We are aware of media reports about allegations of rape and sexual assault following a television program broadcast on Monday 18 May.

‘We have not received any criminal complaint regarding this matter at the moment. We will be making approaches to relevant production teams to ensure that everyone they speak to knows how to report any allegations of crime to the police.

‘We continue to encourage anyone who believes they have been a victim of sexual assault, no matter how long ago, to contact us.’

The dating show was due to return to screens with its eleventh series in September, but it has been reported that plans to air the episodes, which were completed last month, have now been cancelled.

Alleged victims include Shona Manderson, who said she had an abortion after her on-screen husband Brad Skelly took things ‘too far’ during sex and ‘crossed the line’ when he ejaculated inside her without consent.

Waiving his name, he explained how he ‘completely lost his light’ during the shooting; This saw pundits raise concerns about Mr Skelly’s alleged ‘controlling’ attitude towards them and the fact that they were ultimately asked to leave the show.

While two other female contestants stated that they were raped by their on-screen husbands, one contestant informed both Channel 4 and the production company that only the episodes would be broadcast.

The other said that he had bruises on his body due to the alleged attack and that his partner also threatened to throw acid on him.

It appears that all of the men deny the accusations against them.

The women say the program, created by independent firm CPL, does not do enough to protect them and that outreach protocols are inadequate.

Shortly before the Panorama episode aired, Channel 4 announced it had launched an external review into the welfare of contributors last month.

“Serious criminal allegations were made against a number of past contributors to Channel 4 in April, allegations which we understand these contributors deny,” the broadcaster said in a statement.

‘The channel is aware of its duty of confidentiality and ongoing care to all contributors and cannot comment on or disclose the details of these allegations.

‘In relation to these allegations, Channel 4 has been asked to respond to allegations of failures in its outreach protocols.

‘Channel 4 believes that when concerns were raised about the welfare of contributors through existing welfare and production protocols, prompt and appropriate action was taken based on the information available at the time.

‘Channel 4 strongly denies any claims to the contrary.’

Priya Dogra, chief executive of Channel 4, said: ‘I would like to express my condolences to the contributors who are clearly suffering after taking part in Married At First Sight UK. The well-being of our contributors is always of paramount importance.

‘It would be completely inappropriate for me to comment on what are the very serious allegations made against some MAFS UK participants.

‘These allegations, which I understand the accused contributors dispute, are not in a position for Channel 4 to decide.

‘We also recognize our ongoing duty of care to all contributors and the need to protect the anonymity and privacy of everyone who participates.

‘In relation to allegations that Channel 4 may have failed in its duty of care, I believe that when concerns were raised for the welfare of contributors and based on the information available at the time, Channel 4 acted promptly, appropriately, sensitively and with welfare in mind.’