A contestant from Married at First Sight UK has been arrested on suspicion of rape following a police investigation launched after the BBC’s Panorama exposed allegations made by former cast members.
The individual, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, has been bailed while enquiries continue, according to the Metropolitan Police.
The alleged victim is also anonymous under UK law, which grants lifelong anonymity to anyone who reports an alleged rape.
The arrest comes several months after Panorama aired an investigation into the hit Channel 4 dating series, in which three women who had appeared on the programme made serious allegations about their experiences.
Two former contestants alleged they had been raped by men they met through the show, while a third claimed she had been subjected to a non-consensual sexual act.
The men involved have denied the allegations.
In a statement to BBC News, the Metropolitan Police confirmed the investigation remains ongoing.
‘This relates to an ongoing investigation, being led by the Met Police,’ a spokesperson said.
‘He has since been bailed while enquiries remain ongoing.’
Following the broadcast of the documentary in May, police publicly appealed for anyone who believed they had experienced sexual assault while participating in Married at First Sight UK to come forward.
The programme prompted swift action from Channel 4. Just hours before the Panorama documentary aired, the broadcaster removed every series of Married at First Sight UK from its streaming platform while it considered the allegations.
Channel 4 also commissioned an independent review into contributor welfare across the franchise.
The broadcaster has said the review is expected to conclude later this summer, although only a summary of its findings—not the full report—will be made public.
Despite the controversy, the next series of Married at First Sight UK has already been filmed. However, Channel 4 has yet to confirm whether it will still be broadcast.
Produced by CPL Productions, Married at First Sight UK has become one of Channel 4’s biggest reality hits since adopting its current format, regularly attracting audiences of more than three million viewers.
The programme pairs strangers who agree to marry upon first meeting before attempting to build a relationship while living together under the guidance of relationship experts.