A groom who appeared on MAFS UK on Channel 4 has told the Mirror that they were abused during their time on the show and criticised how producers and welfare staff handled the situation10:08, 24 May 2026A Married At First Sight UK groom has alleged he was pressured to stay silent after reporting an alleged sexual assault involving his on-screen co-star during filming of the hit E4 reality show. The individual, who we have chosen to keep anonymous, bravely details allegations of sexual assault and violence and claim that when they reported to producers and welfare staff they did not feel appropriate action was taken.The groom has alleged he was pressured to stay silent after reporting an alleged sexual assault involving an on-screen co-star. Speaking to the Mirror following the airing of the Panorama documentary the former groom alleged the co-star became aggressive after a night of drinking.He claimed the pair had returned to their room after spending the evening with members of production and welfare staff when the situation escalated.READ MORE: I auditioned for Married At First Sight UK - this is why I’m glad they ghosted meREAD MORE: Channel 4 'deeply sorry' after Married At First Sight UK sexual assault claimsThe former contestant alleged that "no" wasn't being taken for an answer before his underwear was forcibly ripped off. The groom further claimed he eventually locked himself in a separate room inside the property after struggling to get away.The following morning, he claims the incident was disclosed to a welfare producer by the co-star, before staff later approached him at the airport.The contestant claimed the producer minimised the situation, telling him the actions weren't intentional, and were simply down to intoxication, before allegedly asking: "Can you not bring it up on TV?" The contestant replied: "I'm okay. Thanks for asking.'"According to the former groom, he initially agreed to stay quiet because he trusted the welfare team and wanted to continue trying to make the show work.However, he later became frustrated when production allegedly encouraged him to remain in the experiment despite the seriousness of what had happened.He claims he later informed a more senior member of the welfare team but his concerns were again allegedly dismissed. He claims he was told that because he didn’t fear for his life, the matter wasn’t considered serious.He alleges: "They said, 'Oh, what do you mean?’ And I told them and they said, ‘Oh, you weren’t scared for your life?’”The contestant also alleged concerns were dismissed differently because he was male."I said to them, if I was a girl and we had this conversation, it would be treated completely differently," he claimed.The former groom said he decided to speak publicly after watching Panorama and hearing other former contestants discuss their own experiences on the programme."It's only after seeing what happened and hearing other people speak out that I thought, okay, I'll say something," he explained.The bombshell claims come as Channel 4 removed all ten series from its platforms and scrapped the series due to air in September following a BBC Panorama investigation that revealed two women claim they were raped by their on-screen "husbands" during filming, while another made allegations of sexual assault against her partner.The Metropolitan Police has now urged potential victims to come forward, stating they will be "making approaches to the relevant production teams" to ensure anyone affected knows how to report criminal allegations.The scandal has blown open the production practices used in dating reality shows which have been growing in popularity over recent years.Monday's documentary sparked a political row, with Channel 4 CEO Priya Dogra telling MPs the broadcaster was "not an adjudicator" on the serious allegations. But it is feared this is just the tip of the iceberg for dating reality shows and these new claims put pressure on producers and broadcasters to clean up their act.Channel 4 has commissioned an external review while insisting their welfare protocols are "some of the most comprehensive and robust in the industry". Industry sources say the show is unlikely to ever air in the UK again.The contestant also claimed producers appeared more interested in creating drama than genuine relationships from the outset.According to the former groom, he was told before entering the experiment that the series needed "drama" because the season had become "boring".‌He also alleged production staff encouraged him to become a disruptive "bombshell"-style character rather than focus on finding a lasting relationship."I just wanted to find a partner," he said.The former contestant further described long filming days, emotional exhaustion and pressure from producers to behave in certain ways on camera.‌"There'd be times where they'd keep asking you to say things in a certain way," he claimed. "In the end you just do it because you want to go home and go to bed."He also alleged contestants were routinely pushed into discussing intimacy before they felt comfortable."When you get back from the honeymoon, it's automatically assumed you’re sleeping in the same bed," he claimed. "I feel like there needs to be more conversations around whether people actually feel comfortable."‌The contestant additionally questioned how much relationship experts truly knew about events taking place behind the scenes."I don't believe they know everything," he alleged. "I think they're shown what production wants them to see."The contestant also claimed he later received warnings from production after publicly criticising the programme following filming.‌"They contacted me saying I'd signed an NDA and shouldn't be speaking negatively about the process."The Mirror put these allegations to CPL and to Channel 4 who directed us to their statement in full. Part of this includes: "MAFS UK is produced under some of the most comprehensive and robust welfare protocols in the industry."These include the most thorough background checks available, a Code of Conduct which clearly sets out behavioural standards, daily contributor check-ins with a specialist welfare team and access to additional support before, during and after filming. The physical and psychological wellbeing of all contributors is of paramount importance throughout the process. All duty of care processes are regularly reviewed and, where appropriate, strengthened."Article continues belowAnother section of the statement reads: "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."READ MORE: Former Married At First Sight UK psychologist says show should not have been broadcast