Married at First Sight UK axed after welfare review

Channel 4 has cancelled Married at First Sight UK following an external review into contestant welfare prompted by allegations of rape and sexual misconduct.

In a BBC Panorama documentary broadcast in May, two women who appeared on the reality show alleged they had been raped by their on-screen husbands, while a third alleged sexual misconduct.

Channel 4 chief executive Priya Dogra confirmed the programme would not return, with a series filmed earlier this year now set to remain unaired.

A planned spin-off, Second Married at First Sight , has also been cancelled.

The decision follows a two-part external review examining the show's welfare procedures and how concerns raised by contestants were handled.

Law firm Clyde & Co found that Channel 4 and production company CPL’s welfare protocols complied with the Ofcom Broadcasting Code and found no breach in the handling of issues raised.