British broadcaster Channel 4 has announced the cancellation of its popular reality television show Married at First Sight UK following serious allegations of sexual assault and misconduct made by female participants.
According to Reuters, the decision was taken after the findings of investigations into allegations against male contestants were reviewed by the broadcaster.
The controversy emerged in May 2026, when three women spoke to the BBC programme Panorama and made serious allegations against men who had participated in the reality show.
Two women accused male contestants of rape, while a third alleged that she had been subjected to sexual activity without consent. The accused men denied the allegations.
The women said that the men who had been paired with them as husbands during the programme had crossed the boundaries of the show’s format and sexually assaulted them.
Investigations Highlighted Safeguarding Concerns
Following the complaints, Channel 4 commissioned two separate investigations into the programme’s safeguarding arrangements.
An investigation conducted by law firm Clyde & Co reviewed more than 31,000 documents and 20 hours of video footage.
According to the findings, the programme’s safeguarding protocols were in line with broadcasting standards, but they had not been fully followed on certain occasions.
A separate review led by former BBC executive Lorraine Heggessey recommended further improvements to participant protection and safeguarding measures.
Channel 4 Ends The Show Permanently
Channel 4 chief executive Priya Dogra said implementing all the recommendations would fundamentally change the programme’s format.
The broadcaster has consequently decided not to air the sixth season of Married at First Sight UK. Plans for a proposed spin-off programme have also been abandoned.
In a statement, Channel 4 confirmed that the programme would not return and said the budget allocated to it would instead be invested in new television programmes.
The broadcaster also renewed its apology to the women who had raised complaints.
The investigations, however, did not determine the validity of the women’s allegations. The claims remain matters for the relevant authorities to consider.