‘Married at First Sight UK’ canceled after allegations of rape and sexual misconduct during production

“Married at First Sight UK” was canceled after 10 seasons following allegations that two women were raped by their husbands during production.

The reality series will not return after the two women – and a third, who accused her husband of sexual misconduct – came forward earlier this year, Channel 4 announced on Thursday.

One of the women also claimed that her husband threatened to throw acid on her.

Priya Dogra, CEO of Channel 4, responded to the allegations in a statement, apologizing to victims following an external review.

“I am truly sorry for the distress these women have clearly felt,” she wrote. “I hope that our actions – in promptly ordering the review and taking clear and decisive action – demonstrate our commitment to the well-being of all contributors and our desire to relentlessly strengthen industry standards.”

Additionally, the external review was not intended to determine whether the allegations against the men were true, according to Dogra.

“She had no jurisdiction to rule on the very serious allegations made by three women,” she said.

Dogra said that while there was “no conclusion” that the reality show format was “inherently dangerous”, she believed the series had “now run its 10-year course”.

“Channel 4 has always thrived on reinvention,” she continued. “And now is the time to launch a new era of creative renewal.”

The accused men have denied the allegations against them, with one of them arrested in June on suspicion of rape, according to the BBC.

The BBC was the first to report the allegations after women came forward in May, saying the channel did not have enough safeguards in place.

“Married at First Sight UK” first aired in July 2015 for season 1.

The series followed single people who blindly agreed to marry strangers after being matched by relationship experts.

Although the marriages featured on the British show are not legally binding, the couples travel together on their honeymoon, with cameras capturing their daily lives.

The show was launched after the release of the American version of the dating series the previous year. First launched on FYI in 2014, the American version later moved to Lifetime in 2017 and Peacock in 2025.

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.