Senior staff members on Married at First Sight UK reportedly had an 'unhealthy' focus on whether cast members were having sex, according to former workers. The Channel 4 series has faced intense scrutiny after a Panorama investigation revealed allegations of rape by two former contestants, with a third alleging a non-consensual sex act. The accused on-screen partners have denied all allegations.
Production Culture Under Fire
Former workers have now alleged that producers deliberately tried to make contestants angry or upset to generate drama, as reported by BBC News. Soraya Spiers, a former staff member, said: 'On the wedding night, there's an expectation, for those of us who were working on the show, that you should get some sort of hint if the couples are going to sleep together. Even though they've only known each other for two seconds by that point.'
Another ex-worker claimed a senior production member told her: 'We want them to sleep together,' after concerns were raised that some couples might not want to share a bed on the first night. It was also alleged that crew members made bets on who would sleep together first and 'they would high five each other when [the contestants] did.' While the bets were not for money, the former worker added: 'It was clear to [the crew] that this was all a joke.'
Production Company Response
Lawyers for CPL, the production company behind MAFS UK, stated that the allegation of staff betting on whether contestants would have sex 'is not something which our client recognises at all.' They told BBC News that the latest allegations come from a small minority of former workers, and the company's commitment to welfare 'is evidenced by the high consecutive return rate of crew across the MAFS series.' Channel 4 also said contributor welfare is 'always our primary concern across all productions.'
Ongoing Fallout
This controversy follows the removal of all episodes from Channel 4's streaming service and a major sponsor pulling out. Channel 4's chief executive, Priya Dogra, said she is 'deeply sorry' after the rape and sexual assault allegations. Dogra noted 'limitations' on what she could say, with a review into contributor welfare ongoing until late summer. She added: 'That said, I have watched the programme and heard the women's accounts, which are very troubling. Their distress is clear, and for that I am, of course, deeply sorry.'
The format of MAFS UK sees complete strangers marry in a mock-wedding, with cameras following the couples to document their experiences. Metro has contacted Channel 4 for further comment.
