Married at First Sight UK could face police investigation over ‘deeply concerning’ rape claims

Two women allegedly raped by their on-screen husbands during filming Married at First Sight in the UK A government minister said he would likely be investigated by police.

Security minister Dan Jarvis said he was “extremely concerned” to hear claims about the scheme where single people are matched by experts and then “married” strangers they meet for the first time on their wedding day.

he said BBC Breakfast It said on Tuesday that Channel 4, which broadcasts the programme, and production company CPL had a “very significant responsibility” to “examine very carefully” the allegations and ensure they are fully investigated.

Mr Jarvis added: “Given the very serious nature of these allegations, I consider there is a high likelihood of a referral to the police and it will be up to the police to investigate.

“These are shocking and deeply worrying allegations and of course they need to be investigated very thoroughly.”

A woman told BBC Panorama that her on-screen husband raped her and threatened her with an acid attack. Another said she told both Channel 4 and CPL before broadcast that she had been allegedly raped by her on-screen husband, but her episodes were still being broadcast.

A third woman, Shona Manderson, who joined the series in 2023, accused her on-screen husband of sexual harassment, claiming he subjected her to sexual intercourse without her consent.

It was reported that none of the women interviewed by the BBC reported their allegations to the police. The men deny the accusations, according to the BBC.

Ms Manderson, the only woman of the three who agreed to be identified, told the BBC: Panorama She deserved better welfare from her production company CPL after she claimed her partner Bradley Skelly took things too far during sex. In a statement to the programme, he said he categorically denied “allegations of sexual misconduct or control”.

In the video on Instagram, she added: “I completely lost my light during the short time I was on the show. There was inappropriate behavior in my relationship and I was excusing a lot of behavior at the time. I couldn’t see things for what they were and I wasn’t in a position to defend myself at the time.”

He added that some elements of outreach services were “really strong” and some individuals were “fantastic”, but added: “This is not about individuals. This is a wider issue and at the end of the day, I shouldn’t be in the position I’m in.”

Dame Caroline Dinenage, chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, said the premise of the dating show was “appalling” but she was “not surprised” by the sexual assault allegations.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4 Today She said on Tuesday: “Frankly, the show was extremely shocking. “I think what surprised me most was how surprised I was at what transpired, considering, as you said, these were couples who got married without ever having met each other and then immediately had to establish a life as a married couple.

“They’re going on their honeymoon, sharing a bed, and in this kind of bubble of intimacy under the glare of a TV camera. In the cold light of day, it’s really quite terrifying, isn’t it?”

Asked if the format of the show was “guaranteed” to cause problems, Dame Caroline said: “The whole format of the show is that you set up an artificial bubble where there’s almost an expectation that people will get close to each other. And I think people probably feel that the contestants probably almost feel obliged to do so.”

Media minister Ian Murray is understood to meet Channel 4 bosses later on Tuesday.

Downing Street welcomed Channel 4’s decision to launch an external review, describing the allegations as “extremely worrying”.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman added: “Where wrongdoing or crime is identified, there must be consequences or appropriate action taken to ensure none of this happens again.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport told the BBC: “All allegations must be referred to the relevant authorities and investigated with the full co-operation of the relevant parties, and measures must be taken to ensure that the highest standards are maintained and consequences are imposed in terms of crime or misconduct.”

Channel 4 has removed all its previous series from its streaming platforms after 18 months of BBC coverage of “very serious allegations”. Panorama The investigation aired Monday evening.

CPL lawyers reportedly told the BBC its welfare system was the “gold standard” and acted appropriately, while Channel 4 commissioned an external review into donors’ welfare.

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

“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 allegations to the contrary.”

Channel 4 said Married at First Sight in the UK It is produced under “some of the most comprehensive and robust outreach protocols in the industry,” including background checks, a code of conduct that sets standards of conduct, and “daily contributor checks with a specialist outreach team.”

The broadcaster said the two-part review will involve law firm Clyde & Co investigating welfare protocols and the handling of allegations, while former BBC One controller Lorraine Heggessey will lead a review of current welfare measures for contributors.

It expects the review to report in the coming months and will share a summary of the findings and recommendations.

Rape Crisis offers support to those affected by rape and sexual abuse. You can call them in England and Wales on 0808 802 9999, in Scotland on 0808 801 0302 and in Northern Ireland on 0800 0246 991 or visit their website at: www.rapecrisis.org.uk. If you’re in the US, you can call Rainn at 800-656-HOPE (4673).