VANISHING ACT 

Biggest sign yet that MAFS UK could be axed for good after ‘rape’ scandal rocks Channel 4

THE biggest sign yet that MAFS UK could be axed for good has come to light.

It looks like it could be the end of the road for the reality series after the “rape” scandal rocked Channel 4 last month.

The biggest sign yet that the show might be axed for good has come to lightCredit: Channel 4
 
Married At First Sight UK has had two ‘rape’ allegations made in a bombshell documentaryCredit: Channel 4
Two Married at First Sight UK brides were allegedly raped by their on-screen husbands and a third had to get an abortion, a bombshell documentary found.

And now the official MAFS UK Instagram page has vanished into thin air.

The show has seemingly deleted their official Instagram account @e4mafsuk.

This comes after Channel 4 removed all episodes of the UK series from its streaming platform following “very serious allegations of wrongdoing” made against some of its past contributors.

The decision was made hours before a BBC Panorama documentary aired on TV.

Of the Instagram account being deleted, a source told The Sun: “It’s been widely reported that Channel 4 removed all episodes of MAFS UK from their streaming platform in the days after the sexual assault scandal broke, but the network has denied any decision has been made about dropping the show for good.

“That said, they have now quietly wiped all trace of the show from social media by deleting the show’s official instagram account, @e4mafsuk.

“They did it perhaps hoping nobody would notice, but it’s not a great sign for the series’ future.

“Obviously it’s a very lucrative franchise for 4, so they will be waiting for the findings of the review to make any official call, but it doesn’t bode well that they have essentially tried to erase any existence of the show.

“The instagram channel featured so many clips and big moments from the show’s last five years, but now they’re all gone.”

A spokesperson for Channel 4 said: “In April we commissioned an external review into contributor welfare on MAFS UK, which is underway and has two elements.

“The first part is examining the welfare protocols in place on the programme at the time claims were raised, as well as the handling by Channel 4 and CPL of those claims.

“The second part, led by former BBC One Controller Lorraine Heggessey, will examine if any changes should be made to current protocols for MAFS UK to further strengthen contributor welfare.

“The review now needs to run its course.”

This comes after The Dark Side of Married at First Sight aired on BBC One last month.

The documentary followed an external review commissioned in April into the welfare of participants on the programme.

The show, which is produced for Channel 4 by independent production company CPL, sees single people matched by experts to “marry” strangers who they meet for the first time on their wedding day.

MAFS contestant Shona Manderson, who appeared on the show in 2023, was one of the brides who bravely opened up on her experiences.

Shona said she had an abortion after claiming her on-screen partner Bradley Skelly ejaculated inside her without permission.

In a statement to the BBC, he said he categorically denies “any allegations of sexual misconduct” or that he was “controlling”.

He said their relationship: “was based on mutual consent, care and affection.”

The couple stayed together for six weeks after leaving the show.

In a statement, the broadcaster said: “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 channel is mindful of the privacy and continuing duty of care towards all contributors and cannot comment on or disclose details of those allegations.

“Related to those allegations, Channel 4 was asked to respond to claims of failures in welfare protocols.

“Channel 4 believes that when concerns related to contributor welfare were raised through existing welfare and production protocols, prompt and appropriate action was taken, based on the information available at the time.

“Channel 4 strongly refutes any claim to the contrary.”

CRE: https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/39379281/mafs-uk-axed-after-rape-scandal-rocks-channel-4/