Former staff members who worked on Married at First Sight UK have come forward with claims that some producers maintained an “unhealthy” preoccupation with whether contestants were being sexually intimate with one another.
According to allegations reported by the BBC, crew members working on the Channel 4 programme would wager among themselves about which couples would be first to sleep together.
One former employee claimed production staff “would high-five each other when [the contestants] did” become intimate, though the bets did not involve money.
“It was clear to [the crew] that this was all a joke,” the anonymous former worker stated.
Shona Manderson is the only woman to be named
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The claims – denied by CPL – emerge following a recent Panorama investigation in which two former cast members alleged they were raped by their on-screen partners, with a third alleging a non-consensual sex act. All three men have denied the accusations.
Soraya Spiers, who was employed on the production for a five-week contract, described the working environment as “toxic from the top down”.
She told the BBC there was an “expectation” among staff on wedding nights to discover whether newlywed couples intended to be intimate, despite having “only known each other for two seconds by that point”.
Another former employee alleged that when she raised concerns about couples potentially not wanting to share a bed on their first night together, her concerns were dismissed.
Amy Kenyon has also claimed her time on the show was intense
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“Don’t you get it? We want them to sleep together,” the senior staff member allegedly told her.
Ms Spiers has called for the programme to be cancelled entirely, describing its format as “completely flawed”.
CPL Productions, the company behind the programme, has firmly rejected the allegations made by former staff members.
Lawyers for the production company stated that contributors “are not pressured in any way or expected to be intimate” and that cast members are “clearly informed there is no expectation to share a bed”.
The pair were together for a further six weeks after their time on the show had ended
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The company emphasised that alternative solo sleeping arrangements have always been available throughout the filming process.
Regarding the betting claims specifically, CPL’s lawyers told the BBC this “is not something which our client recognises at all”.
The production company also disputed suggestions that alcohol flowed freely on set, stating it maintains an “Alcohol Protocol” with clear guidance on consumption, overseen by executive producers and the welfare team.
CPL added that these accounts “do not reflect the vast majority of positive experiences” of more than 1,200 production team members who have worked across all series.
Channel 4 commissioned an external welfare review within days of being contacted by the BBC in April regarding the allegations.
The review comprises two elements: law firm Clyde & Co is examining welfare protocols that were in place when the claims arose, while former BBC One Controller Lorraine Heggessey will assess whether current safeguards for the programme require strengthening.
Channel 4’s chief executive, Priya Dogra, said she was “deeply sorry” after watching the Panorama programme and hearing the women’s accounts, which she described as “very troubling”.
“Their distress is clear,” Ms Dogra stated, though she noted there were “limitations” on what she could say while the review continues until late summer.
Ms Sellman took to social media to address the ongoing allegations
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All previous episodes have been removed from Channel 4’s streaming platform, and a major sponsor has withdrawn from the programme.
GB News contacted Channel 4 for a comment, to which they responded: “Contributor welfare is always our primary concern across all productions.
“Within days of being contacted by the BBC in April, we commissioned an external review of contributor welfare on MAFS UK, which is underway and has two elements: the first, conducted by law firm Clyde & Co, is examining the welfare protocols in place on the programme at the time claims were raised, as well as the handling by Channel 4 and CPL of those claims.
“The second, led by former BBC One Controller Lorraine Heggessey, will examine if any changes should be made to current protocols for MAFS UK to further strengthen contributor welfare. The review now needs to run its course.”
GB News has also contacted CPL for a separate comment regarding the matter.
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