Popular reality television dating show Married at First Sight UK has been axed. The decision comes after some of the show's former cast members were accused of sexually assaulting the women they were matched with.
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News Channel 4 confirmed that the decade-long reality show would not be returning for an 11th season. This followed an investigation that dug into the allegations made by former contestants. Three female contestants claimed that they had been attacked. Additionally, one of the contestants said that her husband threatened to throw acid on her.
The accused men have denied the allegations. However, at least one male cast member has been arrested on suspicion of rape, according to the New York Post.
'Married at First Sight UK' Sacked After Assault Allegations
Channel 4 Chief Executive, Priya Dogra, apologized to the victims. For the suffering that they had to endure while participating in the reality show.
"I am very sorry for the distress those women have clearly felt," Dogra said in the release. "I hope our actions - in swiftly commissioning the review and taking clear, decisive steps - demonstrate our commitment to the wellbeing of all contributors and our desire to relentlessly strengthen industry standards."
In the wake of the findings, Dogra said that she feels that the show has now "run its course."
"I have to consider when is the right time for Channel 4 to move on from a format. The recommendations are eminently sensible and feasible. But considering their wholesale implementation provoked fundamental questions about the editorial proposition of a show that, I believe, has now run its course over ten years," she added in the release. "Channel 4 has always thrived on reinvention. And this is a moment to kickstart a new era of creative renewal. Using the considerable budget to find the next generation of distinctive and disruptive British television."
Dogra also thanked the crew members for their hard work on the program over the last ten seasons.
"MAFS UK has been enjoyed by millions of viewers, made possible by the willingness of its contributors to embrace the social experiment at the heart of the show and the many talented people involved in its production," she said. "I am grateful to everyone at Channel 4 and CPL Productions who have worked on the show and want to thank them for their significant efforts to protect the welfare of contributors, something which was recognised in both reviews."
