Allegations of Misconduct Plague Married at First Sight in Australia and the UK
Multiple former participants and official investigations have raised allegations of unsafe working conditions, non-consensual behavior, and sexual misconduct on the sets of Married at First Sight (MAFS) Australia and the UK. The allegations have prompted regulatory action in Australia and a review of welfare protocols in the UK, where all past seasons of the UK version have been removed from streaming platforms.
Australia: SafeWork NSW Investigation and Participant Allegations
Regulatory Actions
SafeWork NSW issued three improvement notices to the producers of MAFS Australia following an investigation into allegations raised by three former contestants and a viewer. The allegations, obtained by the Sydney Morning Herald, included claims of unsafe and non-consensual behavior.
The West Australian noted that the report does not suggest the allegations are true, only that they were made and were subject to investigation.
Specific Allegations from the 2025 Season
- A groom allegedly punched a hole in a wall, raising work health and safety concerns.
- A bride was allegedly filmed in the shower without her knowledge.
- Non-consensual touching by a groom was reported.
- Production staff allegedly blocked exits to prevent cast members from leaving the set.
- Privacy issues were reported, including staff having keys to apartments and participants not being allowed to remove microphones in bathrooms.
- Participants said they were threatened when attempting to leave the set or when requesting not to be filmed while ill.
- Allegations included long filming hours, confinement to apartments under curfew, bans on speaking to other participants, and alleged baiting and harassment by producers to trigger emotional responses.
Broader Criticisms and Historical Context
Former MAFS Australia participant Beck Zemek (2021 season) stated she was not shocked by the allegations, describing the environment as "toxic." She said contestants were not allowed to leave apartments under the guise of COVID restrictions and that "it is the most unsafe place for any woman." She believes the show should be taken off air until a safe workspace is guaranteed.
In season 13, groom Tyson Gordon expressed a preference for a "submissive" wife, which he later clarified meant "traditional." Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek described such comments as mainstreaming "coercive control."
Since 2015, MAFS Australia has become the most-watched reality TV in the country, with over 16 million viewers in its latest season. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has conducted 10 investigations into MAFS and received 39 complaints, with no breaches found.
In the 2026 season, a couple was removed from air after past domestic violence allegations surfaced against a participant.
Channel Nine was criticized for not removing groom Paul Antoine after he punched a hole in a wall during an off-camera argument. SafeWork NSW issued three improvement notices related to this incident.
Former contestant Olivia Rutherford reported ongoing post-traumatic stress, bullying, and death threats. She claimed psychological support was not confidential.
Intimacy Week and Production Pressure
Former Australian participant Tahnee Cook said she was "horrified but not surprised" by the allegations, noting the show's format pressures couples to progress quickly in intimacy. Cook described an 'Intimacy Week' task where she was asked to lie on the floor while her husband brushed a feather around her, with instructors and production crew present. Couples received sex toys as gifts from the show's experts. Producers pressured Cook to stay in another husband's apartment for three nights, which she said she did not want to do.
Loni Fagel, a trauma therapist and former story producer on a similar show, said Intimacy Week should be investigated. Former MAFS post-producer Alex Funnell said the format raises consent issues, as participants may feel pressured to consent.
Former post-production producer Alexandria Funnell stated the show operates within a "dysfunctional ecosystem" and that off-camera incidents are often worse than aired content.
Our Watch CEO Patty Kinnersly said the show repeatedly demonstrates coercive control and aggression.
Production Statements
A Nine spokesperson said: "Nine and Endemol Shine Australia have welcomed working with SafeWork NSW and have engaged fully and transparently with them. Participant welfare is always the primary consideration in every work health and safety decision we make."
Nine and Endemol Shine Australia stated that participation in all tasks, including Intimacy Week, is entirely voluntary and participants are supported at every step.
An anonymous former participant said she was not surprised by UK allegations and that women on her season experienced physical violence and non-consensual touching.
United Kingdom: Rape Allegations and Channel 4 Investigation
Allegations from Participants
A BBC Panorama investigation, titled "The Dark Side of Married At First Sight," reported allegations from three female participants of MAFS UK.
- Woman 1 (alleging rape): A woman alleged that her on-screen husband raped her and threatened her with an acid attack.
- Woman 2 (alleging rape): A woman using the pseudonym "Lizzie" claimed her on-screen husband raped her, left visible fingerprints from being grabbed, and threatened her if she disclosed the incident. She said she informed Channel 4 and CPL that she was raped, yet her episode still aired.
- Woman 3 (alleging sexual misconduct): A woman using the pseudonym "Chloe" alleged her on-screen partner groped her while she slept and raped her after she said "no." She reported the assault to producers before episodes aired, but the episodes were broadcast.
- Additional allegation: A woman alleged an on-screen partner ejaculated without consent. She stated she became pregnant and chose to terminate it, acknowledging uncertainty if the pregnancy resulted from the alleged incident.
Three men accused denied the allegations.
Responses from Broadcasters and Production Company
Channel 4 described the allegations as "wholly uncorroborated and disputed" but launched an investigation and removed all MAFS UK episodes from its streaming service and social media platforms. Channel 4 stated it received "very serious allegations of wrongdoing" in April against a "small number" of past contributors and that those contributors have denied the allegations. The broadcaster said "prompt and appropriate action was taken" when concerns about contributor welfare were raised, and it "strongly refutes any claim to the contrary."
Channel 4 chief executive Priya Dogra said it would be inappropriate to comment on the allegations and that the broadcaster is not in a position to adjudicate them. She added that Channel 4 takes such issues seriously and is committed to leading the industry in duty of care for contributors. Dogra stated that Channel 4 commissioned an external review in April after being "presented with serious allegations of wrongdoing against a small number of past contributors." An internal probe found that "when concerns related to contributor welfare were raised through existing welfare and production protocols, prompt and appropriate action was taken, based on the information available at the time."
Lawyers for the production company CPL stated its welfare system was "gold standard" and it had acted appropriately in all cases. Lawyers for CPL denied claims that "Chloe" asked to be removed from the show and stated her concerns were taken seriously, noting she initially said all sexual activity was consensual. Lawyers for the man accused by "Lizzie" denied rape and violence, stating any sexual contact was consensual.
Review and Actions Taken
Channel 4 removed all previous seasons of MAFS UK "out of an abundance of caution to avoid fuelling speculation or jigsaw identification" while a review is ongoing.
The external review has two components:
- Law firm Clyde & Co will examine welfare protocols and handling of claims.
- Former BBC One Controller Lorraine Heggessey will examine whether current MAFS UK protocols should be strengthened.
Channel 4 expects the review to report in the coming months.
Australia's Channel Nine also removed MAFS UK episodes from its streaming sites. Channel Nine declined to comment.
Britain's media watchdog Ofcom has not yet commented.
Background
MAFS is an international franchise where strangers are matched by experts and marry at first sight. Channel 4 has broadcast 10 seasons on its E4 channel and streaming platform. In its 2024 report, Channel 4 said the show topped its streaming charts for that year. The show also airs internationally, including in the U.S. on Peacock. Two women on the UK version accused their on-screen husbands of assault, which the men denied. Channel 4 removed all episodes of the UK show.