Former Channel 4 boss says he 'wouldn't have commissioned' Married at First Sight UK

The future of the Married at First Sight UK series is in doubt as its broadcaster Channel 4 awaits the findings on an "external review" after two women alleged they were raped by their on-screen husbands.

The men have denied the allegations.

But Lord Michael Grade, who ran Channel 4 during the 1980s and 1990s and was later the chairman of UK communications regulator Ofcom, said if he were still in charge, he would never have let the program begin.

Lord Grade argued that some reality television formats, including Married at First Sight UK, have become increasingly exploitative and pose unacceptable risks to contestants' wellbeing.

"When you have to put in so many safeguards before the show, during the show, in post-production and through post-transmission care … in the name of what? In the name of entertainment?" he said.

He believes the pressure to attract larger audiences for each season of the wildly successful franchise has only increased those risks.

"It is clearly designed to get ratings and clicks, and where do you stop in the end?" Lord Grade asked.

He says he was shocked by the allegations that were aired on the BBC's Panorama program two weeks ago.

"I think people are very concerned," Lord Grade told 7.30.

"The broadcasters, particularly the public service broadcasters in the UK, the BBC, Channel 3, 4 or 5 and Sky … they're going to be thinking three or four times about the risks they're taking with some of these formats."

Lord Grade thinks it is possible that more participants could come forward with allegations relating to their experiences on the show.

"We don't know what other complaints are now coming forward from people who haven't had the courage yet to speak out."

Those concerns were mirrored by ones made to 7.30 by former Married at First Sight Australia participant Tahnee Cook, who also said the show could create a "dangerous" environment for women.

Cancellation on the cards? 

Channel 4 has taken down all MAFS UK episodes online as it awaits the results of an "external review" into contributor welfare on the program, which was announced by newly appointed chief executive Priya Dogra last month.

When asked by 7.30 whether the broadcaster was considering cancelling the show, a Channel 4 spokesperson said no decisions would be made until the findings of the external review were published. 

The broadcaster said the review would have two parts and would examine both Channel 4's handling of contributor welfare and the practices of the show's production company, CPL Productions.

The first stage of the review is being led by British law firm Clyde and Co and will examine "the welfare protocols in place on this programme at the time claims were raised, as well as the handling by Channel 4 and CPL of those claims".

The second stage is being conducted by independent industry expert, former BBC One controller Lorraine Heggessey.

Channel 4 said Ms Heggessey would assess whether any changes should be made to current welfare protocols on MAFS UK to further strengthen contributor protections.

Lord Grade said he understood why Channel 4 would want to keep MAFS UK on air, but questioned whether the risks were worth it.

"I've been in broadcasting all my life," he told 7.30.

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