Nandy: Channel 4’s response to reality show rape claims ‘unsatisfactory’

Telegraph reportersThu, June 18, 2026 at 10:25 AM UTC

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A police car drives past Channel 4's London headquarters. Representatives from the broadcaster recently met with the Government - Yui Mok/PA Wire

Lisa Nandy has said she is "not satisfied" with Channel 4's response to allegations of rape made by women who appeared on Married At First Sight UK.

Speaking in the Commons on Thursday, the Culture Secretary also said that the Government would hold further discussions with the broadcaster about the claims "in the coming weeks".

Last month, Shona Manderson, a participant on the television programme, accused her on-screen partner of sexual misconduct while on the show, while two other anonymous women alleged they were raped by their on-screen husbands.

All three men deny the allegations.

The show, produced for Channel 4 by independent production company CPL, sees single people matched by experts before being "married" to each other when they meet for the first time.

Ms Nandy told MPs: "I know members across this House will be horrified and disgusted at the serious allegations of abuse against women in the TV industry that have emerged recently.

"Everyone has the right to be safe and treated with dignity.

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"My honourable friend has met with Channel 4 recently about the serious allegations that have emerged around Married At First Sight. We are not satisfied as a Government with the response that we have received, and I will be discussing this further with Channel 4 in the coming week."

Lisa Nandy described the allegations as horrifying - Leon Neal/Getty Images

Priya Dogra, the chief executive of Channel 4, who joined the company in March, previously said she was unaware of the allegations before the broadcaster was approached by BBC Panorama.

"I have watched the programme and heard the women's accounts, which are very troubling," Ms Dogra said. "Their distress is clear, and for that I am of course deeply sorry."

All previous seasons of MAFS UK have been removed from Channel 4's streaming platforms.

CPL has denied further claims that contestants were pressured to have sex after Soraya Spiers, a former employee, alleged the show had a "toxic" culture.

In a statement, the production company said: "Contributors are not pressured in any way or expected to be intimate.

"Contributors are clearly informed there is no expectation to share a bed and alternative solo sleeping arrangements have always been available throughout the process."

Tui Group ended its sponsorship with the UK show, and its Australian spin-off, following the allegations.

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