Ofcom launches investigation into Married at First Sight UK

Married at First Sight UK is facing renewed pressure after the broadcast regulator launched an official investigation into the hit Channel 4 reality TV show.

In a statement on Monday, Ofcom said it was investigating “a fairness and privacy complaint” about the prime-time show.

In May, a BBC Panorama investigation revealed rape allegations from two female cast members on the show – allegations the men involved deny.

An Ofcom fairness or privacy complaint can be lodged by individuals who participated in TV or radio programmes. Complaints like these usually relate to claims of being treated unfairly or having unwarranted infringements of privacy on programmes.

It is understood the watchdog is considering a complaint of unjust or unfair treatment from a cast member of Married at First Sight UK.

At least one other cast member previously complained to Ofcom about their treatment on the show, but the watchdog dismissed their complaint as it found the broadcaster had no case to answer.

An Ofcom spokesperson said such complaints are considered “on a case-by-case basis through a detailed and careful assessment process”.

Separately, in a letter to MPs in June, Ofcom said it would examine the findings of Channel 4’s review into welfare on the show, and would “urgently” consider whether any further action is required.

At the time, the watchdog called the allegations exposed by Panorama “shocking and deeply disturbing”.

Earlier this month, BBC News revealed that a cast member from the show had been arrested on suspicion of rape following the Panorama programme.

The individual is not being named; nor is the alleged victim. Anyone who makes an allegation of rape is entitled to anonymity by law.

Billed as a “bold social experiment”, Married at First Sight UK – known to many as MAFS – sees single people agree to “marry” total strangers, after meeting for the first time at their mock weddings.

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

In May, Channel 4 pulled all episodes of the show from its streaming service just hours ahead of the transmission of the Panorama investigation.

No decision has yet been made on whether to broadcast the latest series of the show, which has already been filmed.

The broadcaster has commissioned a review into contributor welfare on the show, which is due to be finished later this summer. However, it only intends to publish “a summary of findings”, rather than the full report.

Lawyers for CPL, the independent production company that makes the UK version of the show, have previously said its welfare system is “gold standard” and industry-leading.

If you have more information about this story, you can reach Noor by email at noor.nanji@bbc.co.uk