A woman has come forward to share her experience applying for Married At First Sight UK, after the show was marred by allegations of rape and sexual assault from former contestants.
The series, produced by CPL, follows single people who 'marry' strangers matched by experts, meeting for the first time at the altar. While not legally binding, couples go on a honeymoon and move in together.
Earlier this week, a Panorama documentary on the BBC featured two women alleging they were raped by on-screen partners during filming. A third accused her partner of sexual misconduct. All three men deny the claims.
Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, one anonymous applicant explained she applied in 2024 after hearing producers were seeking singles. However, she felt the focus was on 'f**ked up trauma' for 'good TV'.
'I'm looking for love and to get married but in a safe space. I feel like I've had bad luck finding people myself, so now I have to put it in other people's hands,' she said. 'I got an email from CPL saying the MAFS application is open. I was like, “Yeah, why not? It’s time!”'
The London-based applicant filled in a lengthy form with basic details and probing questions. She recalled: 'You have to upload pictures and answer questions like, tell us about your last three relationships, what your type is, why you want to get married. They check eligibility to live and work in the UK, and ask about spent convictions.'
She heard back within two weeks and had a phone call with a casting agent. The chat was brief, covering the same topics as the form, but did not delve into convictions or history of sexual or domestic assault.
'[He asked] what’s your type? Talk about your last few relationships, why do you feel things don’t work out? Where are you going wrong? Why do you want to get married? He explained the show logistics and time needed for filming,' she said.
When asked if he prioritised certain questions, she said: 'On the call it was obvious it was, “Are you going to make good TV?” Like, do you have enough f**ked up stories or trauma? He didn’t speak about mental health, medical history or convictions. It was mostly about relationships and family.'
The upcoming series of MAFS has been pulled following allegations, with Channel 4 removing all episodes from its on-demand platform. A message reads: 'No episodes available to watch on demand.'
This followed Shona Manderson, a 2023 participant, accusing her on-screen partner of sexual misconduct. Two other women alleged rape by their on-screen husbands in the Panorama documentary. All three men deny the allegations. Bradley Skelly told Panorama he 'categorically denies any allegations of sexual misconduct, or that he was controlling'.
Police have urged potential victims to come forward and said they would speak to production teams, but have received no criminal reports. Channel 4 stated: '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 broadcaster commissioned an external review into contributor welfare on MAFS in April, insisting the series is 'produced under some of the most comprehensive and robust welfare protocols in the industry', including thorough background checks and welfare team support.
Although the applicant did not make it to later rounds and never heard back from CPL after the initial call, she has been unable to escape the headlines. Asked if she is surprised, she confessed: 'Honestly? No. You’re putting strangers together in a very intense setting. It’s all very fast forwarded, it’s not real. They encourage intimacy, but you don’t know each other. It’s the same concept as meeting someone on a night out.'
She is now glad she was 'ghosted', adding: 'I don’t think MAFS is, or was, the show for me.'
The Mirror has contacted Channel 4 and CPL for comment.
