New Abuse Claims Rock Married At First Sight UK

has faced new allegations from three former stars who have claimed they were abused and sexually assaulted while filming the show.

The E4 reality series has faced calls to be axed after claims aired by  Panorama that two women had been raped during filming, while a third woman had said she was the victim of a non-consensual sex act.

Now, two brides and one groom who have taken part in MAFS UK have come forward to share their experiences.

The trio, who have not been named, all claimed that support from the show's welfare team fell short. 

Lawyers for CPL, the production company behind MAFS UK, said after the first claims that featured in the Panorama documentary emerged, that its welfare system was 'gold standard', and that it acted appropriately in all these cases.

 boss Priya Dogra initially declined to apologise after the broadcast of Panorama, but has since said she was 'deeply sorry.'

Speaking to The Mirror, a groom claimed that he was pressured by producers to keep quiet after he reported an alleged sexual assault involving his co-star.   

He said his on-screen ex became aggressive after a night of drinking, and despite  saying 'no', his underwear was allegedly ripped off in their room.

While the groom originally decided to keep quiet on the assault, hoping he could make the marriage work, he later expressed concerns to a more senior member of the welfare team, which he claims were dismissed.

He said: 'They contacted me saying I'd signed an NDA [non-disclosure agreement] and shouldn't be speaking negatively about the process.'

One bride has now claimed she's suffered years of trauma following her time on the show, after feeling isolated and controlled by her husband.

She said: 'He performed a lewd act and then touched my face without consent. He banned me from drinking or speaking to production staff without him.

'They [production] would say, ''It's going to be OK''. Staff bought me a drink to help smooth things over after I complained.' 

She also claimed that there was little safeguarding for participants when the cameras weren't rolling, and at times she felt pressured to be intimate. 

A second bride has alleged that her husband, who she was matched with on the show, would 'throw things and call her names.'

She said: 'They'd separate us into breakout rooms to get both sides of the story. A lot of times they will ask you is there any way you might have provoked it.

'My biggest thing – like, I cannot be left in a room with this man. There's this concept he's your husband, but he ain't. It's not legally binding. It's just a dating show.'

A representative for Channel 4 noted the network's full statement released on Monday, where they shared plans to launch an external review into contributor welfare.

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.'

Daily Mail has contacted a representative for Channel 4 for further comment. 

 boss Priya Dogra initially declined to apologise after the broadcast of Panorama, but has since said she was 'deeply sorry.'

Among the alleged victims who featured in the Panorama documentary is Shona Manderson, who says she got an abortion after her on-screen husband, Brad Skelly, took things 'too far' during sex and 'a boundary was crossed' when he ejaculated inside her without permission.

He has said he understood she was consenting and denies any sexual misconduct.

Waiving her anonymity, she described how she 'completely lost her light' during filming, which saw experts raise concerns about Brad's alleged 'controlling' manner towards her that saw them ultimately be asked to leave the show.

A fourth 'bride' who appeared on MAFS has also spoken to Daily Mail, saying she quit the controversial show in disgust at the way she and her co-stars were being treated.

On Wednesday, Laura Vaughan, a bride on the 2023 series alongside Shona, said she also went to the welfare team on the Channel 4 show over Brad's 'uncomfortable' and 'challenging' conduct. 

Taking to social media, Laura shared a video in which she told followers that the documentary has raised questions around the safeguarding processes for reality television. 

Two other female contestants reported being raped by their on-screen husbands, with one informing both Channel 4 and the production company only for the episodes to be aired anyway.

The other described being left with bruises from the alleged assault and said her partner also threatened to have acid thrown at her.

All the men are understood to deny the allegations against them.

The women say the show, produced by independent firm CPL, did not do enough to protect them and that welfare protocols were not sufficient.

Shortly before the Panorama episode aired, Channel 4 announced it had commissioned an external review into contributor welfare.

It subsequently removed all ten series of MAFS UK from its online streaming platform, and said it has not decided whether to air Series 11, which has already been filmed and was due for release in the autumn.

The marriages on the show are a 'social experiment' and are not legally binding, but cameras follow the couples as they go on 'honeymoon' and move in together.

Meanwhile, Scotland Yard has urged potential victims of sexual assault on the reality show to come forward.

A spokesperson for the force said: 'We are aware of media reporting relating to allegations of rape and sexual assault following the airing of a television programme on Monday, 18 May.

'At this time, we have not received any criminal reports in relation to this matter. We will be making approaches to the relevant production teams to ensure that anyone they have spoken to is aware of how to report any criminal allegations to police.

'We continue to encourage anyone who believes they have been a victim of sexual assault, no matter how long ago it happened, to get in touch with us. 

The Prime Minister's spokesman called for 'appropriate action' to be taken as Channel 4 bosses met with media minister Ian Murray, for crisis talks.

Daily Mail previously revealed how CPL had contacted staffers from across the show’s 10 series urging them to be cautious about posting on social media.

They warned them about identifying the males who have been accused of rape by their on-screen spouses and offered a support email to contact, which is available until late into the night this week.

Separately, the Mail also told how past contestants were tipped off about the damning allegations prior to them coming out, warning how they may find them ‘upsetting’.