Married at First Sight UK series 11 has been filmed but is sitting on a shelf with no broadcast date in sight, as Channel 4 grapples with the fallout from a BBC Panorama documentary that aired in May, in which two former contestants claimed they were raped and another claimed they were sexually assaulted while participating in the show.
The eleventh run was completed before the Panorama episode went out, but a source told The Sun it will not reach screens any time soon. ‘MAFS series 11 was due to air in September (as it has the past three years) but will not return any time soon,’ the source said. ‘Channel 4 is confirming air dates for shows including Bake Off and Tempting Fortune for September but there’s no MAFS. It’s on ice til execs can navigate what (if anything) is salvageable when the report is returned.’
Ofcom Investigation and an Arrest
The regulatory pressure on the programme has intensified considerably since the Panorama broadcast. Ofcom announced in July that it had launched a formal investigation following the allegations, with a spokesperson telling Deadline: ‘We are investigating a Fairness and Privacy complaint about Married at First Sight UK.’ The men named in the Panorama allegations denied them.
Ofcom’s Cristina Nicolotti Squires has told MPs the allegations are ‘deeply disturbing,’ adding to the political scrutiny surrounding the show. Separately, one contestant has been arrested on suspicion of rape, according to Deadline, a development that has further darkened the atmosphere around the production.
Channel 4 removed all episodes of Married at First Sight UK from its streaming service after the Panorama documentary aired, and has commissioned investigations into the show, including a review of its safety and welfare practices.
Channel 4’s Response and the CEO’s Apology
Channel 4 chief executive Priya Dogra addressed the situation publicly, issuing a personal apology to the women who made the allegations. ‘We do believe we took the right decisions at the time, but I want a second look at it. That was my reaction to it. It was very hard to watch and I have said sorry for the distress of the women,’ she said. ‘What I can do about it is what I have done. The review is going to look into the handling of it at the time. The review is intended to have a rigorous look at all aspects.’
The broadcaster also issued a formal statement defending its conduct, saying that ‘prompt and appropriate action was taken’ when the allegations were first raised. ‘The channel is mindful of the privacy and continuing duty of care towards all contributors,’ it added, noting that welfare concerns had been handled ‘based on the information available at the time.’
Lawyers for production company CPL have said in response to the Panorama documentary that its welfare procedures are ‘gold standard’ and were followed appropriately.
What Happens to Married at First Sight UK Series 11 Next?
The internal review commissioned by Channel 4 appears to be the key factor governing the show’s fate. Until its conclusions are returned, Married at First Sight UK series 11 looks set to remain in limbo, with executives reportedly weighing what, if anything, can be broadcast. The broadcaster has not confirmed any air dates for the series. Digital Spy has contacted Channel 4 for comment.
The breadth of the crisis is reflected in the range of institutions now examining the show: a regulator, a parliamentary audience, and the broadcaster’s own internal review are all running concurrently. With Ofcom’s investigation ongoing and the Channel 4 welfare review yet to conclude, the September slot that MAFS UK has occupied for the past three years will, for now, belong to other programmes.
If you have been affected by the issues raised in this story, you can access support from Rape Crisis England and Wales at its website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotland’s helpline number is 08088 01 03 02. Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.
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