CHANNEL 4 TO PUSH AHEAD WITH MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT UK SPIN-OFF

Married at First Sight UK is one of Channel 4’s biggest shows, in which complete strangers marry in a mock-wedding and cameras follow what happens next.

The Sun reports that Channel 4 have scrapped the next series of Married At First Sight UK, which wrapped filming last month and was due to air on E4 this September. The newspaper suggests the series has been axed completely and will not air.

The newspaper also reports that the broadcaster plans to push ahead with recently announced spin-off Second Marriage At First Sight. Over 24 episodes, four British MAFS legends and four Australian MAFS favourites will return to the experiment, with open hearts to finding love again and open minds to consider uprooting their entire lives to the other side of the world. This is because Brits will be matched with their perfect partner, an entirely new match from down under and Australians will be paired with a stranger from the UK.

The experiment begins again in the UK; each couple will navigate cultural clashes and old wounds before they head to Australia to meet friends and family on the other side of the world and face the ultimate decision: who will consider uprooting their life for love?

Will the Brits tempt their partners to trade beach life for Blighty, or will love pull them towards a fresh start under sunnier skies? For these second-timers there's more at stake than ever before. These brides and grooms aren't just risking their hearts again, they're risking everything, their friendships, careers and their homes, as one half of each couple takes a gamble on the possibility of a new life and new love on the other side of the world. 

Channel 4 have also removed all episodes of Married At First Sight UK from streaming after Panorama investigates allegations that raise serious concerns that welfare procedures on the reality show have failed contributors, leaving them at risk of harm.

Noor Nanji speaks to three women who allege sexual misconduct by their former on-screen husbands. Two of the women say they were sexually assaulted. The men deny all the allegations against them, and both Channel 4 and CPL - the independent production company that makes the series - say the welfare protocols are robust and comprehensive.

Channel 4 this week announced that in April it commissioned an external review into contributor welfare on Married at First Sight UK (MAFS UK).

In April, Channel 4 was presented with serious allegations of wrongdoing against a small number of past contributors, allegations that we understand those contributors have denied. The channel is mindful of the privacy and continuing duty of care towards all contributors, and cannot comment on or disclose details of those allegations. 

Related to those allegations, Channel 4 was asked to respond to claims of failures in welfare protocols. Channel 4 believes that when concerns related to contributor welfare were raised through existing welfare and production protocols, prompt and appropriate action was taken, based on the information available at the time. Channel 4 strongly refutes any claim to the contrary.

Notwithstanding the actions taken at the time, Channel 4’s recently appointed CEO, Priya Dogra instructed an external review of contributor welfare on MAFS UK last month. 

Alongside the lawyer-led review, Channel 4 has commissioned an external industry expert to examine if any changes should be made to current protocols for MAFS UK to further strengthen contributor welfare. This work is being led by former BBC One Controller Lorraine Heggessey, who is a highly experienced media executive with deep understanding of programme making, as well as being a vocal advocate for rigorous welfare protocols in TV production.  

While the review is ongoing and until we receive any conclusions and recommendations – and considering Channel 4’s ongoing duty of care to all contributors, the seriousness of the allegations levelled against a small number of past contributors, and out of an abundance of caution to avoid fuelling speculation or jigsaw identification – all previous seasons of MAFS UK have been removed from Channel 4 streaming and linear services at this time, alongside Channel 4’s MAFS UK social channels. 

Panorama: The Dark Side Of Married At First Sight is available now on BBC iPlayer.