Ofcom launches investigation into Married At First Sight UK

By Casey Cooper-Fiske, Press Association Senior Entertainment Reporter

Ofcom has launched an investigation into Channel 4’s Married At First Sight UK (Mafs).

The media regulator has said it is investigating an unspecified complaint against the reality TV show.

It comes after two women made allegations of rape and a third of sexual misconduct by their on-screen husbands in a BBC Panorama documentary which aired in May.

All three men deny the claims.

An Ofcom spokesperson said: “We are investigating a fairness and privacy complaint about Married At First Sight UK.”

It is understood the complaint has come from a person or organisation who participated in the show.

The Press Association also understands that the regulator has also looked into a complaint of unjust or unfair treatment on Mafs.

A Mafs UK cast member was arrested on suspicion of rape in June.

The Metropolitan Police told the BBC following the arrest: “This relates to an ongoing investigation, being led by the Met Police.

“He has since been bailed while inquiries remain ongoing.”

Neither the arrested man nor the alleged victim can be named.

Following the Panorama documentary, chief executive of Ofcom Dame Melanie Dawes said the allegations raised “really serious concerns” and added that the regulator is prepared to tighten its guidance around reality shows if necessary.

Channel 4 launched a review into contributor welfare in April, shortly after being contacted by the BBC regarding the accusations featured in Panorama.

The broadcaster’s chief executive Priya Dogra has said reports that the show had been cancelled were “wholly inaccurate” and “no decision has been made” regarding the broadcast of the next series.

MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Committee have written to Channel 4 and Ofcom about their response to allegations in the BBC documentary.

Committee chairwoman Dame Caroline Dinenage said the accusations were “horrifying”, adding: “Both Channel 4 and Ofcom, as the broadcasting regulator, have urgent questions to answer.”

The letter to Channel 4 asks about its complaints process for contestants on the programme and the steps taken to ensure the allegations were fully investigated, along with the review announced by the broadcaster.

It also questions the broadcaster about its approach to duty of care to participants on its other reality TV programmes.

Billed as a “bold social experiment”, Mafs sees single people agree to “marry” total strangers, after meeting for the first time at their mock weddings.

The UK version of the reality series, which has been running for 10 seasons, is one of Channel 4’s biggest shows, with audience numbers often topping three million.

However, in May the broadcaster pulled all episodes of the show from its streaming service just hours before the transmission of the Panorama investigation.

Channel 4 has not yet made a decision on whether to broadcast the latest season of the show, which has already been filmed.

Police have urged potential victims of sexual assault on the TV show to get in touch.