Shock as Married At First Sight spin-off to continue despite brides accusing their on-screen husbands of rape as Channel 4 hold crisis talks

Married At First Sight UK’s new spin-off series will continue, despite brides accusing their husbands of rape on the Channel 4 programme.

In a surprising move amid claims that women were raped on show, chiefs at the network are determined to go ahead with it, sources have confirmed to the Daily Mail.

Insiders are ‘stunned’ that the series, which will see four UK brides and four Australian stars return, come together for a second chance to find love, will air.

Two women who participated in the main series alleged to the BBC that they were raped by their ‘husbands’, while a third has claimed she was sexually assaulted. All episodes across the 10 series have now been removed from catch up.

Last night panicked bosses at the broadcaster were locked in crisis talks after it emerged that the episodes of hit series featuring one couple were aired despite producers being aware of the allegations.

Now the Mail can reveal its highly anticipated spin-off series named Second Marriage at First Sight will continue in its pre-production while an external review is carried out.

The show, announced in February this year at an event hosted by the outgoing Chief Content Officer Ian Katz, sees former stars of the long-running series return for another chance at finding love.

Bosses have ordered 24 episodes, which would see filming take place first in the UK as each couple navigate cultural clashes, before moving Down Under where they will be introduced to their spouse’s friends and family. Ultimately they will decide whether their match was worth uprooting their life to the other side of the world for.

It is understood advanced talks with former stars are already underway, with some having already signed up to appear.

An insider said: ‘While a review into the protocols on Married At First Sight is taking place, crew will continue with the pre-production of the show.

‘That includes finalising the lineup, which is at an advanced stage, and identifying filming locations and booking crew for the series.

‘However, cameras will not be rolling until the review is complete and any of its recommendations are implemented.’

They added: ‘Crew are shocked at what has emerged and are thinking of the women at the centre of it. They all received an email from CPL, the makers of the programme, advising them not to discuss accusations or identify the accused males online.’

Daily Mail has contacted Channel 4.

It also has been revealed how Married At First Sight is likely to face a police probe as a result of the allegations. 

One participant of the show, who did not wish to be identified, accused her husband of raping her and threatening her with an acid attack, and is now looking to pursue legal action against CPL.

‘Lizzie’, as she was named to keep her anonymity, said her partner often lost his temper when the cameras were not on them.

Sex, she said, soon became violent and would leave her bruised even after she ‘kept saying stop,’ she told the BBC's Panorama.

‘He said that if I told anybody what had happened, that he would get someone to throw acid at me,’ Lizzie said.

Describing one alleged attack, she said: ‘We were in our apartment, on the sofa, and he tried to have sex with me. And I kept saying no, that I didn’t want to do it.

‘But he kept saying, “You can’t say no, you’re my wife”. And he just did it anyway.’

Lawyers for CPL told Panorama that Lizzie did not mention the ‘can’t say no’ comment to its team and the ‘acid’ remark was mentioned as a passing comment, not a threat.

CPL took action as soon as Lizzie said she felt unsafe, the lawyers added.

A second woman, named as Chloe, alleges she was raped by her husband before broadcast, though Channel 4 aired her episodes despite her telling the channel and producers.

‘He smirked and climbed on top of me, moved my leg… By that time, I’d really given up and I just didn’t want him to be angry at me when the cameras came,’ she said.

‘I just lay there, and I stared out the window.’

After filming finished, she told the show’s psychiatrist, alerting CPL who then went to Channel 4. When Chloe complained to the broadcaster, she only received a response once the series was on air. Lawyers for CPL told the BBC it followed welfare protocols.

Both men involved deny the allegations, Panorama added.

Shona Manderson, who appeared on the show in 2023, has publicly gone on the record to allege her partner, Bradley Skelly, sexually assaulted her.

Mr Skelly told the BBC in reply he understood Ms Manderson had consented to the act and categorically denies ‘any allegations of sexual misconduct’ or that he was ‘controlling’ and their relationship "was based on mutual consent, care and affection".

Production company CPL, who make the show, told staffers of the accusations airing and urged them not to speak out to journalists who approach them.

They also warned against them posting on social media or identifying any of the accused males.

It read: ‘Please be mindful of commenting publicly or privately. It is prudent not to speculate about anything that is reported or commented on especially on social media, or to name any cast member in any posts as there may be legal reasons preventing anyone from doing so.

‘Please be aware that anything you say or post may be picked up and shared on social media or used in the press now or at a later date.’

The company has also set up a dedicated email for employees to contact which is being monitored each night.

Following the accusations, Channel 4 announced they have commissioned an external review into the claims, conducted by law firm Clyde & Co, to examine the existing welfare protocols in place at the time claims were raised, as well as the handling by Channel 4 and CPL.

In a statement, a spokesman for the broadcaster said it had the ‘most comprehensive and robust welfare protocols in the industry’.

They said: ‘In April, Channel 4 was presented with serious allegations of wrongdoing against a small number of past contributors, allegations that we understand those contributors have denied.

‘The channel is mindful of the privacy and continuing duty of care towards all contributors, and cannot comment on or disclose details of those allegations.

‘Related to those allegations, Channel 4 was asked to respond to claims of failures in welfare protocols. Channel 4 believes 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. Channel 4 strongly refutes any claim to the contrary.

‘Notwithstanding the actions taken at the time, Channel 4’s recently appointed CEO, Priya Dogra instructed an external review of contributor welfare on MAFS UK last month.’