New Married at First Sight star says stars 'put in vulnerable situations' by bosses as she addresses Channel 4 allegations

The former reality star, who appeared on the 2021 series, spoke out following the explosive Panorama documentary The Dark Side of Married At First Sight, which aired on Monday night.

The documentary featured allegations of rape and sexual misconduct made by three former brides against their television partners.

All of the men involved strongly deny the allegations.

The fallout from the documentary has plunged Channel 4 into crisis, with the broadcaster removing all previous seasons of Mafs UK from its streaming platforms while launching an external review into contributor welfare.

The controversy deepened further on Wednesday after holiday giant Tui officially terminated its commercial sponsorship of the programme following the broadcast.

Meanwhile, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport issued a stark warning over the allegations, insisting “there must be consequences for criminality or wrongdoing.”

The department has also contacted both Channel 4 and Ofcom, demanding urgent answers over what committee chair Dame Caroline Dinenage described as “horrifying allegations”.

Police have also stepped up their involvement in the growing scandal.

The Metropolitan Police urged anyone who may have experienced sexual assault or coercive control linked to the franchise to come forward to the authorities.

In the wake of mounting controversy, Ms Wolfe shared a TikTok video detailing her experiences on the dating series, claiming that contestants were placed in vulnerable situations during filming.

@meganwolfetiktok MAFSUK - stand with those brave enough to speak up. #mafsuk #mafsukallegations #channel4 #cplproductions ♬ original sound - Megan Wolfe

“I can attest that throughout that experience, you are put in situations, in environments that do leave people vulnerable to these situations, to these sometimes life-altering events, and it isn’t good enough,” she said.

Ms Wolfe also alleged participants were often “sold a dream”, tied into contracts, and later left to cope with the consequences of appearing on the show alone.

She claimed she endured “months and months of trolling, including death threats” after her series aired.

“There were situations in my season when I was filming that I raised with the higher-ups,” she continued.

“I was quite distressed, I raised some concerns, and I was simply told that that’s showbusiness, ‘I think you need to read your contract again’.”

The former bride went on to claim she felt under pressure to share a bed with her on-screen husband despite being uncomfortable with the arrangement.

“I was someone who was not comfortable sharing a bed with a stranger which is what they are, you meet them for the first time on the wedding day,” she explained.

“So a whole storyline was filmed around that, that I was making this person sleep on a small sofa, and I was reminded quite consistently that if I didn’t share an apartment with this person, if I didn’t share a bed with this person, that I was rejecting them.”

“But I can see how if you are not brave enough to speak up for yourself and implement those boundaries that you could be left in quite a vulnerable, unsafe situation,” she said.

“So it is time for change.”

Her comments come after former contestant Shona Manderson alleged in the Panorama documentary that her on-screen husband Bradley Skelly ejaculated inside her without consent during otherwise consensual sex.

Mr Skelly has denied all allegations of sexual misconduct and controlling behaviour.

His lawyers said in a statement: "Bradley Skelly says he understood Shona had consented that night. He categorically denies any allegations of sexual misconduct or that he was controlling. He says their relationship was based on mutual consent, care and affection".

Two other former brides, identified under the pseudonyms Lizzie and Chloe, also alleged they were raped by their on-screen husbands during filming.

Both men deny the accusations.

Channel 4 chief executive Priya Dogra later issued a formal apology following the Panorama broadcast, saying she was “deeply sorry” after hearing the women’s accounts.

Ms Dogra described the allegations as “very troubling” and said the distress experienced by former contestants was “clear”.

The broadcaster also confirmed all 10 previous series of Married At First Sight UK had been removed from streaming and social platforms, partly to avoid the potential “jigsaw identification” of alleged victims.

Despite widespread reports suggesting the programme had already been cancelled, Ms Dogra insisted such claims were “wholly inaccurate”.

Ian Katz, chief content officer at Channel 4, issued a fresh statement claiming the broadcaster acted appropriately upon learning of "issues raised" by Married at First Sight contestants.

He said Channel 4 “ensured that women involved were kept safe when any issues were raised to us” and were given “appropriate support”.

The upcoming series has already been filmed, but Channel 4 said a final decision on whether it will air will only be made once the external welfare review concludes later this summer.

As part of the investigation, law firm Clyde & Co is reviewing historic welfare procedures and complaints handling, while former BBC One controller Lorraine Heggessey has been brought in to help redesign safeguarding measures for future productions.

Lawyers representing CPL Productions, the production company behind Married At First Sight UK, defended the firm, insisting its contributor welfare procedures were “gold standard” and among the strongest in the industry.

They maintain that appropriate action was taken whenever concerns were raised.

GB News has contacted Channel 4 and CPL for comment on Ms Thorpe's claims.