Married at First Sight UK Cast React to Channel 4 Axing the Show
Women who say they were raped on Married at First Sight UK describe relief now that Channel 4 has cancelled the show. Other cast members and a lawyer say answers are still owed.
A summary, not the full review
The full report of the external review has not been released, only a summary of what it found. Channel 4 says the review found no breach of Ofcom's broadcasting code in how it and the production company, CPL, handled the issues at the time.
Channel 4 told BBC News that the review did not rule on the Panorama allegations about a few past contributors and left them to the authorities.
The BBC put questions to Channel 4's boss, Priya Dogra, on Thursday. She said the broadcaster had handled incidents appropriately as they arose and that the review bore this out. What Channel 4 did when the production company first warned it about the serious allegations is still unknown.
The allegations behind the decision
The trouble began in May, with a BBC Panorama report that included rape allegations from two women who took part. A third woman, Shona Manderson, alleged a non-consensual sex act. The men involved have denied everything.
Ofcom is investigating the show, and in June a male cast member was arrested on suspicion of rape.
Relief from the women who spoke out
One woman who alleges she was raped texted the BBC reporter that she felt glad, and relieved that nobody else would face the same. Another, who says her on-screen husband raped her, was in tears. She was astounded that it took an external review to end the show.
She also reacted to the review's remark that the programme could carry on with a safe word, a panic button or a lockable bathroom. In her words, that is "absolute insanity".
Manderson said she felt mostly relief, as the women who spoke out had been listened to. None of the three had been warned beforehand, they said, though two of them had taken part in the review.
A cast that does not speak with one voice
Some cast members said they were sorry to see it go. Jay Howard, from the 2023 series, said taking part gave her friendships and opportunities. Lara Eyre, who appeared in 2022, felt for the people who took part in this year's series, which will now never air, and for fans.
Others said the cancellation did not go far enough. April Banbury, from 2022, said it should have happened years ago. Her on-screen husband was arrested on suspicion of controlling and coercive behaviour. The police investigation was dropped, and he called the allegations false.
Lia Perin, a partner at Taylor Hampton and a lawyer for several participants, said cancelling may prevent future harm but does not settle how earlier contestants were treated. Channel 4, she said, "owes them answers".
What happens to the format abroad
Channel 4 has already said it will not show international editions such as MAFS Australia again. The BBC notes that, with one broadcaster calling the show finished, other versions of the format may come under scrutiny.
Channel 4 bosses are due to appear before the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee on 17 November.
Source: BBC News