A MAFS groom has slammed the show ahead of an explosive Panorama expose, insisting: “It’s about time.”

The former participant hit out at the reality series as fresh scrutiny surrounding the programme continues to grow.

Luke Worley in a light green suit, shrugging, against a brick wall.
Luke Worley spoke out about the reality show ahead of the Panorama documentaryCredit: E4
 

Luke Worley in a blue suit with a white vest and tie, looking to the side with a slight smile.
The reality star appeared on MAFS UK in 2023Credit: E4
Former groom, Luke Worley, spoke out about the BBC Panorama documentary, which is set to air tonight at 8pm.

The Dark Side of Married at First Sight follows 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.

Luke took part in the social experiment turned reality TV show in 2023 but was chucked out after an altercation with intruder groom, Jordan Gayle.

Luke and his matched partner Jay Howard were forced to leave MAFS and split shortly after.

According to the Mail Online, bosses made the decision to remove 30-year-old Luke from the show after he “shocked both cast and crew with his aggressive behaviour”.

He has now spoken out about his feelings towards the show by sharing an article of the documentary coming out.

Luke wrote: “It’s about time the show got investigated”.

Following his exit, Luke continued to attract media coverage and he revealed a personal transformation journey, including a weight loss of more than 20 pounds and preparations for a celebrity boxing match with Jordan Gayle.

He later announced his participation in Dating Naked UK (2025), a Paramount+ reality series hosted by Rylan Clark, positioning himself as an advocate for body positivity and “normal men” in dating television.

Meanwhile, the future of Married at First Sight UK is under threat following serious sex assault allegations made against its stars – as Channel 4 pulls all episodes of the hit series offline.

Two Married at First Sight (MAFS) brides were allegedly raped by their on-screen husbands and a third had to get an abortion, a bombshell doc has found.

All three victims have slammed the makers of the Channel 4 show for failing to protect them – and the explosive claims have sparked an internal debate about cancelling it for good.

A TV insider told The Sun: “Very serious conversations are being had about the future of Married At First Sight UK in light of the concerning allegations.

“No formal decisions will be made until the documentary airs but it’s hard to see how the series can recover from this.

“The claims are being taken extremely seriously. It could be all over for the British spin-off of the show.”

Shona Manderson from Married at First Sight UK, smiling.
Shona Manderson says she had an abortion after her on-screen partner ejaculated inside her without permissionCredit: E4
 

Illustration of the "Married at First Sight" logo with a bride and groom icon holding hands with a red heart above them.
The bombshell claims are made in the documentary The Dark Side of Married at First SightCredit: Channel 9
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.”

Channel 4’s recently appointed CEO, Priya Dogra, said: “It would be wholly inappropriate for me to comment on what are very serious allegations made against some MAFS UK contributors.

“Those allegations – which I understand are disputed by the contributors accused – are not something that Channel 4 is in a position to adjudicate on.

“We are also mindful of our ongoing duty of care to all contributors, and the need to preserve the anonymity and privacy of all involved.

“On the claims that Channel 4 may have failed in its duty of care, I believe that when concerns about contributor welfare were raised, and based on the information available at the time, Channel 4 acted quickly, appropriately, sensitively and with wellbeing front and centre.

“Nevertheless, because we aspire to the highest standards of contributor welfare, I felt strongly as Channel 4’s new CEO that it was right that we look again at how we handled issues raised at the time and ask whether changes should be made to further strengthen contributor welfare.

“That’s why last month I commissioned an external review of contributor welfare on MAFS UK.

“That review will report to me in the coming months.

“We take these issues very seriously and are committed to ensuring that we continue to lead the industry in our duty of care for contributors.”

Channel 4 logo on a glass window.
Channel 4 has removed all previous series of Married at First Sight from its streaming servicesCredit: PA