HomeArts, Culture and EntertainmentUK's Channel 4 cancels 'Married at First Sight' after rape allegations

UK’s Channel 4 cancels ‘Married at First Sight’ after rape allegations

-

LONDON, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Britain's ‌Channel 4 said on Thursday that "Married at ​First Sight UK" would not return to screens following a review prompted by ⁠serious allegations of misconduct during the making of the hit reality show.

The broadcaster removed all previous seasons of the show in May ​after a BBC report detailed allegations of rape by two women during filming.

Channel ‌4 said a review by law firm Clyde & Co had found its welfare protocols complied with broadcasting codes, although there were isolated incidents ⁠where the welfare framework was not fully implemented.

A ⁠second part of the review, by former BBC executive Lorraine Heggessey, found the protocols were "extensive, extremely thorough and of a high standard", Channel 4 said.

The show, in which strangers are matched by experts ‌and "marry" at first sight, is part of an international franchise across ⁠multiple countries, including the United States and ‌Australia.

Channel 4 Chief Executive Priya Dogra said ​welfare across its programmes was a primary concern.

"Whilst the review praised the welfare protocols in place and made no findings that ‌Channel 4 breached the Ofcom Code or that ​the format is inherently ⁠unsafe, I have to consider when is the right ‌time for Channel 4 to move ⁠on from a format," she said.

Implementing all of the review's recommendations would fundamentally alter the show's format, she said, adding that she ​believed it had "run its ‌course" after 10 years.

The BBC reported in July that a cast member ⁠from the show had been ​arrested on suspicion of rape following its investigation.

(Reporting by Paul ​Sandle, editing by Sam Tabahriti)

tagreuters.com2026binary_LYNXNPEMA4139-VIEWIMAGE

Author

Stay Connected

2,500FansLike
395FollowersFollow
122FollowersFollow
1,230FollowersFollow
170,000SubscribersSubscribe

Related articles

Latest posts

Share on Social Media