MAFS UK bride who alleges sexual misconduct says she ‘lost her light’ on show

By Laura Harding, Press Association Entertainment Editor

A Married At First Sight star who has accused her on-screen husband of sexual misconduct said she “completely lost her light” while appearing on the show.

Shona Manderson is one of three women making allegations about their time on the Channel 4 show.

Two other women allege they were raped by their on-screen husbands.

The show, which is produced for Channel 4 by independent production company CPL, sees single people matched by experts and then “marry”, with couples meeting for the first time on their wedding day.

The “marriages” on the show are not legally binding but the couples go on a “honeymoon” and move in together after their weddings.

Manderson, the only woman of the three who is identified, appeared on the programme in 2023.

Talking to BBC Panorama on camera, she said she deserved better welfare from production company CPL after she alleged her partner, Bradley Skelly, took things too far during sex.

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

In a post on Instagram, Ms Manderson said she hopes to contribute to a wider conversation about welfare and positive change on the programme.

“I decided to take part (in Panorama) because I hoped in doing so that sharing my story, it will contribute to a wider conversation about welfare and positive change,” she said.

“I did, a year after my experience on MAFS, say to production I would like a meeting about my welfare, and my meeting wasn’t honoured.

“We never had that meeting. I had some really constructive points that I would have brought up in that meeting. I guess I just did it with the BBC instead.”

Ms Manderson claimed the couple were using the pull-out method of contraception, but added: “One day, my boundary was crossed and he finished inside me without my consent.”

She added she found out she was pregnant shortly afterwards, adding: “I just want to make it clear that I don’t know if I was pregnant from that said incident or not.”

In the video on Instagram, she added: “The short time that I was on the show, I completely lost my light.

“There were behaviours in my relationship which were not okay, and at the time I excused a lot of behaviour. I couldn’t see things for what it was, and I wasn’t in a position to advocate for myself at the time.”

She added that some elements of her welfare care were “really, really strong” and some individuals were “amazing”, but added: “This isn’t about individuals. This is a wider issue, and at the end of the day, I shouldn’t have been in the position that I was in.”

One woman alleged to Panorama that her onscreen husband raped her and threatened her with an acid attack.

A second said she told both Channel 4 and CPL about being allegedly raped by her onscreen husband, but that her episodes were still aired.

Culture, Media and Sport Committee chairwoman Dame Caroline Dinenage said the premise of the dating show was “horrifying” and she was “unsurprised” by the sexual assault allegations.

Domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid said the allegations made for “disturbing and sobering” viewing.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4 Today on Tuesday, Dame Caroline said: “Clearly the programme was deeply shocking.

“I guess what surprised me most was how unsurprised I was by what it revealed, given I suppose, as you say, that these are couples that get married without having met each other before, and then immediately have to assume a life as a married couple.

“They go on honeymoon, they share a bed, and in this kind of bubble of intimacy under the glare of a TV camera.

“In the cold light of day, it really is quite horrifying, isn’t it?”

Farah Nazeer, the chief executive of Women’s Aid, said the charity has worked with show contestants including Ms Manderson.

She said: “Last night’s Panorama, looking at allegations of domestic abuse and serious sexual assault from contestants of Married At First Sight UK, made for disturbing and sobering viewing.

“For years, Women’s Aid, and countless viewers, have been calling out abusive behaviours aired on Married At First Sight UK and other dating and entertainment programmes.

“We have urged producers to reach out and work with specialist organisations like us, to enable them to identify abusive behaviours and act quicker to protect the women at risk of harm.

“Over the years, we have worked with contestants, including Shona Manderson, to raise awareness of the wide spectrum of violence against women and girls.

“We have called for survivors to be believed, we have called for better safeguarding and better follow-up care. The tragic reality is that violence against women and girls does not discriminate and can impact anyone, even if they are being watched by millions on national television.

“Panorama has exposed some troubling and incredibly worrying allegations. We are told that these programmes are about finding love, yet abuse and control are not love.

“Producers have a duty of care to contestants and a responsibility to younger viewers – it is time they take it seriously. We stand ready to help all involved get this right.”

Channel 4 has removed all previous seasons of the show from its streaming platforms.

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 timeChannel 4 statement

A spokesperson for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport told the BBC: “All allegations must be referred to the appropriate authorities and investigated with the full co-operation of those involved, with action taken to ensure that the highest standards are upheld and there are consequences for criminality or wrongdoing.”

Shortly before the Panorama episode aired, Channel 4 announced it had commissioned an external review into contributor welfare last month.

“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,” a statement from the broadcaster said.

“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.”

The wellbeing of our contributors is always of paramount importancePriya Dogra, Channel 4 chief executive

None of the women the BBC has spoken to has reported their allegations to the police, it was reported.

Lawyers for CPL reportedly told the BBC its welfare system is “gold standard” and it acted appropriately.

Priya Dogra, chief executive of Channel 4, said: “I want to express my sympathy to contributors who have clearly been distressed after taking part in Married At First Sight UK.

“The wellbeing of our contributors is always of paramount importance.

“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.”

Channel 4 said MAFS UK is produced under “some of the most comprehensive and robust welfare protocols in the industry”, including background checks, a code of conduct setting out behavioural standards and “daily contributor check-ins with a specialist welfare team”.

An Ofcom spokesperson said: “We are aware of serious allegations raised in a BBC Panorama documentary and by researchers from Aston University about the welfare of participants in reality TV programmes, and Married At First Sight UK in particular.

“Under our rules, broadcasters are required to take due care over the welfare of people who might be at risk of significant harm as a result of taking part in a programme.

“We note that Channel 4 has launched an external review into contributor care on MAFS UK, and we await its findings. We will review this and all other evidence made available to us.”

The broadcaster said the two-part review will consist of law firm Clyde & Co investigating welfare protocols and handling of the claims, while former BBC One controller Lorraine Heggessey will lead an examination of current contributor welfare measures.

It expects the review to report in the coming months and will share a summary of findings and recommendations.

CPL has been approached for comment.