Channel 4 ‘cast man with history of violence against women’ on First Dates

Channel 4 has been hit with further allegations as it’s been claimed a former First Dates hopeful was accused of assault and abuse.

Concerns around vetting potential stars were raised after two Married At First Sight UK brides claimed they were raped during the filming of Channel 4’s show.

A third alleged a non-consensual sex act, with the broadcaster’s CEO Priya Dogra, saying she is ‘deeply sorry’ and confirming a review is underway.

Now, it’s reported that one contestant on First Dates had admitted in court to assault before appearing on the popular dating show.

The Sun report the 41-year-old assaulted an ex-girlfriend and hit a second partner, resulting in a court case in 2020.

He was sentenced to a one-year community order, a two-year restraining order and had to pay £225.

One victim’s mum said: ‘I cannot tell you how damaging this man has been to her life physically, but also the impact to her long-term mental health has been catastrophic.

‘She was so brave to take him on, and she did so hoping he would be punished and other women would not have to suffer as she has done.’

It came as a shock to the family and the victim when they saw him on TV being promoted as someone’s potential match.

His other ex ‘spiralled’ seeing him on the show, still suffering from the trauma of the abuse, which ‘impacts my daily life’.

She added: ‘Channel 4 should be held accountable for presenting, for entertainment, a man with a known history of violence against women as a safe and trustworthy partner.’

A spokesperson for the broadcaster said in a statement to Metro: ‘All First Dates contributors are subject to the highest level of checks we are legally able to undertake, which include a DBS and detailed online checks.

‘All checks for this individual, including the DBS, were clear.’

DBS checks do not disclose all cautions and convictions if they are spent (old or minor convictions that can be legally ignored).

According to charity Unlock: ‘Adult cautions will be removed from standard and enhanced checks if 6 years have passed since the date of issue, providing it is not for a specified offence.’

Specified offences do include sexual offences and actual bodily harm, so convictions or cautions regarding those matters are not eligible for removal.

Meanwhile, Married At First Sight’s future is in question after a MAFS Australia star claimed that some of her fellow contestants ‘became victims’ of domestic violence on her country’s version of the reality series.

Channel 4 announced that a review, which was commissioned in April, will look into contributor welfare on the series following ‘very serious allegations of wrongdoing’.

‘No decision has been made on the broadcast of MAFS UK,’ a spokesperson said to Metro in a statement.

‘We have just announced an external review into contributor welfare on MAFS UK and we need to see what that finds before deciding what happens next.’

The broadcaster has not indicated it will review or halt production on First Dates, which is currently airing its latest season.