Britain’s Channel 4 on Thursday announced that its hit reality show “Married at First Sight UK” would not return for another season, following a review triggered by allegations of rape and sexual misconduct made by three female participants against their on-screen husbands.
The BBC reported in July that a cast member of the show had been arrested on suspicion of rape following its investigation.
A review conducted by law firm Clyde & Co found that the series’ welfare protocols complied with broadcasting codes, although there were “isolated incidents” in which the framework was not fully implemented, according to the broadcaster. A second review, led by former BBC executive Lorraine Heggessey, found that the show’s welfare protocols were “extensive, extremely thorough and of a high standard”. Channel 4 chief executive Priya Dogra described the welfare of participants across its programmes as a “primary concern”. “Whilst the review praised the welfare protocols in place and made no findings that Channel 4 breached the Ofcom Code or that the format is inherently unsafe, I have to consider when is the right time for Channel 4 to move on from a format,” Reuters quoted her as saying.