Married at First Sight UK cancellation, Digi Mart USA News (United Kingdom): One woman who alleged she was raped on Married at First Sight UK said she was “delighted and so relieved no-one else will have to go through the same again,” according to the BBC, as news broke that the show was being cancelled.
Another woman, who also says her on-screen husband raped her, was in tears at the news. She told the BBC she felt “great, consuming relief,” but said she was “astounded” it had taken an external review for Channel 4 to finally pull the plug on the show.
Commenting on the review, she said that suggesting the program could reasonably continue with a “safe word,” “panic button” or “lockable bathroom with an extra bolt inside” was “absolute insanity” to her.
The Channel 4 show was plunged into crisis in May this year, after BBC Panorama revealed rape allegations from two female cast members. A third woman, Shona Manderson, the only woman who was identified, alleged a non-consensual sex act.
The men involved have denied all the allegations against them.
None of the three women had been informed in advance of the decision to cancel the show, the BBC reported, although two had contributed to the review. Manderson told the BBC by telephone that her main feeling was relief that their voices had been heard.
“Speaking out wasn’t easy, but knowing that our voices have helped bring about change makes it all worthwhile,” she said.
Other cast members were pleased by the decision to scrap the series, but others said it did not go far enough and called for more accountability. One cast member, who asked to remain anonymous, said viewers do not always appreciate that the show “isn’t simply a television show” for those taking part.
April Banbury, who took part in the 2022 series, said her on-screen husband was subsequently arrested on suspicion of controlling and coercive behaviour. The police investigation against him was later dropped, and her partner called the allegations against him “false.” “I’m glad MAFS has been cancelled.
It should have happened years ago,” Banbury told the BBC.
Another cast member said cancelling the show “does not make what happened go away.” “We want answers, we want those responsible to be held accountable, and we want to know how this was allowed to happen in the first place.”
Some former participants wrote on social media that their experiences had been more positive and that they were sad to see the show go. Jay Howard, from the 2023 series, said the show had brought her friendships and opportunities, while Marilyse Corrigan, a 2021 bride, said it was a chapter of her life she looked back on “with fond memories.”
Several cast members also expressed concern for staff who had worked on the show and sorrow for fans. Lara Eyre, who appeared on the 2022 series, told the BBC she felt the industry was “on the edge of a curb on how we treat reality TV stars and safeguarding,” and that it was a “real shame” for those who filmed this year’s series, which will never be aired.
“I know a lot of people loved it, I loved it,” she said. “Yes, I know it was traumatic, for sure, and there was a lot of bad things that went with the good.
But it was a big part of a lot of people’s lives, so it’s sad it’s not going to be on any more, but I also think this could’ve been avoided.”
Many questions remain. Only “a summary of findings” from Channel 4’s review has been released, rather than the full report.
The BBC reported that it is not known what the broadcaster did when it was first warned about the serious allegations by the production company, or why it only investigated once BBC Panorama raised the alarm.
Channel 4 boss Priya Dogra said the broadcaster’s handling of incidents as they arose was appropriate, and that the review had borne that out. In a statement to the BBC, Channel 4 said its review “did not seek to adjudicate on the serious allegations of wrongdoing against a small number of past contributors highlighted by Panorama, as those allegations remain a matter for the relevant authorities.”
The review found that in Channel 4 and production company CPL’s handling of the issues raised at the time, there was no breach of Ofcom’s broadcasting code, according to the BBC. Channel 4 bosses are due to appear before the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee on 17 November.
There is also an ongoing Ofcom investigation into the show, and in June a male cast member was arrested on suspicion of rape.
The decision to scrap MAFS UK may also raise questions about the wider Married at First Sight format. Channel 4 has already said it will not show international editions such as MAFS Australia again.
For the television industry more broadly, questions will again be asked about reality TV and whether such shows can keep their contributors safe.
