health
'It’s just not safe. It’s not OK': can Married at First Sight ever be risk-free?
Many contestants have a positive experience on the reality show, but others say the format is unsafe
TL;DR
- Former 'Married at First Sight UK' contestant Adrian Sanderson describes the show's format as "not safe" and "not OK" due to exhaustion, isolation, and lack of processing time.
- Concerns about safety have intensified following allegations of sexual assault by contestants against their on-screen partners.
- While the show's producer and Channel 4 state their welfare protocols are robust, some industry professionals believe the format itself creates inherent risks.
- Producers suggest that replacing welfare teams with genuine mental health experts and psychologists would impact show content, implying a trade-off between safety and drama.
- Others propose legislative regulation and format adaptations, such as reducing expectations of intimacy and empowering contestants to set boundaries, as crucial for safety.