Married at First Sight UK ‘faces police investigation’ after rape allegations

WorldEntertainment
19 May 2026 • 9:53 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Married at First Sight UK ‘faces police investigation’ after rape allegations

  • Security Minister Dan Jarvis stated that allegations of two women being raped by their on-screen husbands on Married at First Sight UK are "extremely concerning" and will "highly likely" be referred to the police.
  • One woman told BBC Panorama she was raped and threatened with an acid attack, while another claimed Channel 4 and CPL were informed of her alleged rape before her episodes aired.
  • Shona Manderson, a 2023 contestant, accused her on-screen husband of sexual misconduct, stating she experienced a non-consensual sex act, though her partner denies the claims.
  • Channel 4 has removed all previous series of Married at First Sight UK from its streaming platforms and commissioned an external review into contributor welfare following the "very serious allegations".
  • Downing Street and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have expressed serious concern, welcoming Channel 4's review and emphasising that any wrongdoing must lead to appropriate action.

IN FULL