The broadcast regulator has opened an official investigation into Married at First Sight UK, the hit Channel 4 reality dating show, after a cast member lodged a fairness and privacy complaint. Ofcom announced the probe on Monday, saying it was examining “a fairness and privacy complaint” about the prime-time programme.
The move follows a BBC Panorama investigation in May that revealed rape allegations from two female cast members on the show. The men involved deny the allegations. In a letter to MPs in June, Ofcom said it would examine the findings of Channel 4’s internal review into welfare on the show and would “urgently” consider whether further action was required. At the time, the watchdog called the Panorama allegations “shocking and deeply disturbing”.
“Ofcom investigates Married at First Sight UK after rape allegations and a fairness complaint.”
At least one other cast member had previously complained to Ofcom about their treatment on the show, but the watchdog dismissed that complaint after finding the broadcaster had no case to answer. An Ofcom spokesperson said such complaints are considered “on a case-by-case basis through a detailed and careful assessment process”.
Earlier this month, BBC News revealed that a cast member from the show had been arrested on suspicion of rape following the Panorama programme. The individual is not being named, nor is the alleged victim — anyone who makes an allegation of rape is entitled to anonymity by law.
Billed as a “bold social experiment”, Married at First Sight UK sees single people agree to “marry” total strangers after meeting for the first time at their mock weddings. The UK version, which has run for 10 seasons, is one of Channel 4’s biggest shows, with audience figures often topping three million.
In May, Channel 4 pulled all episodes of the show from its streaming service just hours ahead of the Panorama broadcast. No decision has yet been made on whether to broadcast the latest series, which has already been filmed. The broadcaster has commissioned a review into contributor welfare on the show, due to be finished later this summer, but will only publish “a summary of findings” rather than the full report. Lawyers for CPL, the independent production company that makes the UK version, have previously said its welfare system is “gold standard”.