BBC Panorama reports rape allegations by Married at First Sight UK women

In May 2026, the BBC current affairs programme Panorama published an investigation into Married at First Sight UK, the Channel 4 reality series in which strangers marry on first meeting. It reported that two former participants alleged they were raped by their onscreen husbands during filming. A third woman alleged a non-consensual sex act.

The men involved denied the allegations. Lawyers for one husband said he rejected the claim of rape and said all sexual contact had been consensual. The claims have not been tested in court.

The report also examined what the broadcaster knew. The BBC reported that Channel 4 had been aware of some of the allegations before the episodes were shown, and that the broadcaster had told Panorama the claims were uncorroborated and disputed.

Channel 4 removed episodes of the show from its streaming service and related social media accounts while an external review of contributor welfare was carried out. The programme's overseas distribution was also affected. The investigation put wider scrutiny on duty of care in reality television and set the stage for the show's later cancellation.