A police investigation into an alleged assault by a former star against a person known to them could potentially pose a series-ending threat to the franchise.
Showbiz
MAFS Australia Faces Crisis Amid Assault Allegations
A police investigation into an alleged assault by a former MAFS Australia star against a person known to them could potentially pose a series-ending threat to t...
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Married At First Sight is already under intense global scrutiny, after the UK version was engulfed in a major scandal involving serious allegations about contestant safety and welfare.
The Daily Mail cannot legally report any details of the incident, including the date, location or people involved.
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However, we can disclose that it did not happen during filming.
Police confirmed this week they were investigating an alleged assault. The former MAFS participant was 'interviewed and released pending summons'.
These bare facts are all we can tell you for now. Across its 13 seasons, there have been more than 270 individual participants on MAFS Australia, which is produced by EndemolShine Australia for the Nine Network.
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A police investigation into an alleged assault by a former MAFS Australia star against a person known to them could potentially pose a series-ending threat to the franchise. (Pictured: the MAFS logo alongside two models who are unrelated to the allegation)
It comes after MAFS UK last month faced new allegations from three former stars who claimed they were abused and sexually assaulted while filming the show.
The Brits' version of the reality series, which airs on E4, has faced calls to be axed after claims aired by Panorama that two women had been raped during filming, while a third woman said she was the victim of a non-consensual sex act.
Since that investigation was broadcast, two brides and one groom who had taken part in MAFS UK came forward to share their experiences.
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The trio, who were not named, all claimed that support from the show's welfare team - which is separate to the Australian version's welfare program - fell short.
Lawyers for CPL, the production company behind MAFS UK, said after the Panorama claims 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.
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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.
It comes after MAFS UK last month faced new allegations from three former stars who claimed they were abused and sexually assaulted while filming the show. (Pictured: a promo image for MAFS UK, which airs on E4; the people pictured are not involved in the Australian matter)
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Laura Vaughan, a bride on the 2023 UK season alongside Shona, said she also went to the welfare team over Brad's 'uncomfortable' and 'challenging' conduct.
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Taking to social media, Laura shared a video in which she told followers that the documentary raised questions around the safeguarding processes for reality TV.
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, formerly Celador, and not by EndemolShine, which makes the Australian version - did not do enough to protect them and that welfare protocols were not sufficient.
Shortly before the Panorama episode aired, Channel 4 announced that it had commissioned an external review into contributor welfare.
It subsequently removed all ten seasons of MAFS UK from its online streaming platform, and said it has not decided whether to air season 11, which had already been filmed.
As in the Australian show, the marriages on MAFS UK are a 'social experiment' and are not legally binding, but cameras follow the couples as they go on 'honeymoons' and move in together.
Last month, Scotland Yard urged potential victims of sexual assault on the reality show to come forward.
A spokesperson 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 also called for 'appropriate action' to be taken as Channel 4 bosses met with media minister Ian Murray, for crisis talks.
The Daily Mail previously revealed how CPL had contacted staffers from across the show's 10 seasons urging them to be cautious about posting on social media.
They warned them about identifying the men who had been accused of rape by their on-screen spouses and offered a support email to contact.
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'.
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