The TV show “Married At First Sight” has to defend itself against serious allegations. image: channel 4
May 19, 2026, 1:26 p.mMay 19, 2026, 1:26 p.m
The British broadcaster Channel 4 has temporarily removed the popular dating show “Married At First Sight” from its program after allegations of abuse. There are allegations of sexual violence. All previous seasons of the show have been removed from both streaming and linear services, the broadcaster announced.
On Monday evening, a BBC report caused a stir. Two women say they were raped while filming the show, and a third woman described sexual misconduct.
All episodes have been removed from the online library.image: channel 4
In the show, which is produced by the production company CPL, singles are brought together by experts and only get to know each other on their wedding day. According to the BBC, the program is described as a “daring social experiment”. The marriages concluded therein are therefore not legally binding. The viewers accompany the couples on their honeymoon.
“In April, Channel 4 was made aware of serious allegations against a small number of former participants, allegations which we understand these individuals deny,” the broadcaster said in a statement. An external study into the well-being of the participants was commissioned back in April. At least until the results of the investigation are available and also to avoid speculation, the program has been removed from the program.
Channel 4: We acted “quickly and appropriately”.
One named participant told the BBC that her “match” had gone too far in sex during filming and had crossed a line. In a statement, the participant denied “any allegations of sexual misconduct,” according to the BBC. According to the broadcaster, the production team was informed of the incident a few days after the incident. Shortly afterwards, the couple were removed from the show due to concerns about a potentially unhealthy relationship, according to the BBC.
‘I think a lot of people watching the documentary would have been very shocked by it’
Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, spoke to #BBCBreakfast about a BBC Panorama investigation into Married At First Sight UK that revealed allegations… pic.twitter.com/GMOQXO1RqS
— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) May 19, 2026
In the wake of the allegations, there are also possible failures in protective and care measures. Channel 4 believes that concerns about the welfare of participants were acted upon quickly and appropriately, said managing director Priya Dogra, according to the broadcaster’s statement. “Claims to the contrary” are “definitely rejected”. Lawyers for the production company also stated that they had acted appropriately. (sda/dpa)