Married at First Sight star Shona Manderson's on-screen husband posted a cryptic message as he faced allegations of sexual misconduct in a BBC documentary into the reality TV show.Ms Manderson says she got an abortion after her on-screen husband, Brad Skelly, took things 'too far' during sex and ejaculated inside her without permission.Waiving her anonymity, she described how she 'completely lost her light', making her claims on a BBC Panorama programme aired last night, The Dark Side of Married at First Sight.It revealed that two other female contestants reported being raped by their husbands on the show, with one informing both Channel 4 and the production company only for the episodes to still be aired.The other described being left with bruises from the attack and said her partner also threatened to throw acid over her. The women say the show, produced by independent firm CPL, did not do enough to protect them and that welfare protocols were not sufficient.Channel 4 has said that all the women's claims are disputed by the alleged perpetrators and maintained it has a 'gold-standard' welfare system. It has removed all previous series of the show from its streaming service and commissioned an external review into contributor welfare.Mr Skelly also denies Ms Manderson's claims as well as 'any allegations of sexual misconduct'. Shona Manderson, who has waived her anonymity, alleged that Bradley Skelly engaged in a non-consensual sex act while they filmed the Channel 4 show, a claim he denies Mr Skelly said he understood his on-screen wife (pictured together) consented and said in a statement he categorically denied 'any allegations of sexual misconduct' or that he was 'controlling'Taking to Instagram on Monday, Mr Skelly reposted a cryptic message telling his followers to 'trust the process', as Ms Manderson said she hopes the documentary leads to a 'wider conversation around welfare and positive change'. His post read: 'The Universe is very intentional. Nothing in your reality is happening by accident. Not the setbacks, not the redirections, not even the seasons of waiting. The Universe knows exactly what it's aligning for you. Trust the process'.The post came as Panorama heard from Ms Manderson, who appeared on the show in 2023, and two other women.Married at First Sight [MAFS] sees single people matched with a partner 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.Ms Manderson, the only woman of the three who is identified, said she deserved better welfare from production company CPL after she alleged her partner, Mr Skelly, took things too far during sex.She said he ejaculated inside her without her permission, leaving her 'shocked' and 'confused' as 'we said we weren't doing that'.Ms Manderson later went to get the morning after pill and was accompanied by a welfare producer. But soon after she discovered she was pregnant and made the difficult decision to have an abortion.She says she does not know for sure whether the pregnancy was a result of the incident. Ms Manderson later informed production company CPL about the incident, but lawyers for the firm say she told them she did not have a problem with it. Around the same time, Mr Skelly was being called out on air by the show's experts for speaking to his partner in a controlling manner. The couple were later removed from the show due to concerns that their relationship was unhealthy.In a statement to the BBC, Mr Skelly said he categorically denies 'any allegations of sexual misconduct, or that he was controlling'.He also said he was of the understanding that Ms Manderson had consented to him ejaculating inside her. The couple stayed together for six weeks after the show before splitting up. Prior to Panorama airing, Mr Skelly posted a cryptic message on social media telling his followers to 'trust the process'In a post on Instagram after the documentary aired, 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.'In the video, 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.'A second woman, referred to by the pseudonym Lizzie, told Panorama her on-screen husband raped her and subjected her to violent sex that often left her with bruises, despite her telling him to stop.She described how one night: 'He tried to have sex with me. And I kept saying no, that I didn't want to do it.'But he kept saying, "You can't say no, you're my wife". And he just did it anyway.'Lizzie added that she was too scared to tell anyone about what was happening as: 'He said that if I told anybody what had happened, that he would get someone to throw acid at me.'Lawyers for CPL told Panorama that Lizzie did not mention the 'can't say no' comment to its team and the 'acid' remark was mentioned as a passing comment, not a threat. CPL took action as soon as Lizzie said she felt unsafe, the lawyers added.A third woman, Chloe, also described being raped by her MAFS husband, with her allegations being raised both with CPL and Channel 4 - but the episodes in which she featured were aired anyway.She told the programme: 'He smirked and climbed on top of me, moved my leg… By that time, I'd really given up and I just didn't want him to be angry at me when the cameras came,' she said.'I just lay there, and I stared out the window.'Chloe - also a pseudonym - added that once her partner noticed she was not participating, he told her: 'You're making me feel like a rapist'. It is understood that both men implicated in the allegations deny the accounts. The Daily Mail can reveal producers of the series have sent a letter to all staffers who worked across any of its ten series, urging them not to speak out or post on social media. In the letter seen by the Mail, production company CPL, which makes the show, told staffers of the accusations airing and urged them not to speak out to journalists who approach them.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.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?' Taking to Instagram last night, Ms Manderson said that she 'completely lost my light' during her time on MAFSFarah 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.' Three women who have appeared on MAFS spoke to the BBC, including two who allege they were raped by their on-screen husbandsA 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.'None of the women the BBC has spoken to has reported their allegations to the police, it was said.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.Mr Skelly has been contacted for comment.