A scandal has erupted over the reality show Married at First Sight Australia after it emerged that several participants were not told about their partners’ criminal records, including convictions for drug offences and domestic violence. The revelations have prompted UK producers to launch an urgent review of their own vetting procedures for the British version of the show.
The Australian edition, which airs on Channel 4 in the UK, has faced mounting criticism after a former participant told an investigation that she was matched with a man who had a history of violent behaviour. Another contestant revealed she had been paired with a drug dealer, despite telling producers she wanted a partner with a clean record.
Under the show’s format, experts select couples based on psychological assessments and background checks. But it is understood that participants are not always given full details of their matches’ pasts, with producers citing confidentiality and the desire to avoid prejudging contestants.
A spokesperson for Channel 4 said: ‘We take our duty of care extremely seriously. We are urgently reviewing our vetting processes for Married at First Sight UK to ensure participants are fully informed of any relevant criminal history that could affect their safety or wellbeing.’
The Australian production company, Endemol Shine Australia, declined to comment on individual cases but said it ‘takes the welfare of participants very seriously’ and that all contestants undergo ‘comprehensive background checks’.
The scandal comes amid growing scrutiny of reality TV safety standards following the deaths of former Love Island contestants Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon, and the Jeremy Kyle Show controversy.
Dr. Xanthe Mallett, a forensic criminologist at the University of Newcastle, said the show had a ‘moral duty’ to disclose violent offences. ‘If someone has a conviction for domestic violence, that is directly relevant to the success of the experiment. Participants are making life-altering decisions based on incomplete information,’ she said.
One former Australian contestant, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said she was matched with a man who had been convicted of assaulting a previous partner. ‘I felt completely betrayed. I had no idea about his past until after we filmed the final vows. The experts kept it from me because they said they didn’t want to “skew” my decision.’
Another told the Sydney Morning Herald that her on-screen husband had a drug supply conviction that was never mentioned. She said she felt ‘used’ by producers who prioritised drama over honesty.
In the UK, the show’s fourth series is currently airing on Channel 4. A source said the review would consider whether participants should be given full access to background checks, and whether the show’s psychiatrists and relationship experts should be allowed to veto matches based on criminal history.
The controversy has reignited debate about the ethics of reality television. Labour MP Luke Pollard, who chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Media, said the government should consider introducing a statutory code of conduct for reality shows. ‘People are not props. They are making life-changing decisions, and they have a right to know if their partner has a history of violence or criminality,’ he said.
Channel 4 has said it will publish the findings of its review before the next UK series begins filming. The Australian network Nine is also conducting an internal investigation.
For now, former participants are left wondering what else might have been hidden from them. ‘I trusted the process,’ one said. ‘I don’t think I ever will again.’
