Channel 4 cancels Married at First Sight UK after allegations and welfare review

In a BBC Panorama investigation broadcast in May, two former contestants said they had been raped by the men they were partnered with on the show. A third woman alleged a sexual act without her consent. The men deny the allegations.

All three women said the programme had not done enough to protect them. Lawyers for production company CPL previously told the BBC that its welfare system was of a high standard and that it had acted appropriately in the cases.

The UK show matches strangers who meet at wedding ceremonies that are not legally binding. Following the Panorama investigation, Channel 4 removed episodes from its streaming service and put a new series on hold.

Chief executive Priya Dogra said putting all the review’s recommendations into practice raised fundamental questions about the show’s format. She also said she believed the programme had run its course after 10 years. Its budget will be redirected to new programmes.

The review had two parts. Law firm Clyde & Co found that Channel 4 and CPL’s welfare protocols complied with the broadcasting code, though there were times when the welfare framework was not fully implemented. A separate review led by former BBC One controller Lorraine Heggessey concluded that future series could reasonably be made with stronger welfare measures and changes to the format.

Dogra said the review did not have the authority to decide on the women’s allegations. She repeated her apology for the distress they had felt.