Key facts
- Married at First Sight Australia stars claim they were not informed about their on-screen partners' criminal convictions.
- Concerns have been raised about participants' safety and informed consent.
- Past convictions include drug offenses, affray, and common assault.
- Former contestants are calling for improved background checks and casting protocols.
- The show's producers, Channel 9 and Endemol Shine Australia, maintain they have robust safety measures in place.
Married at First Sight Australia stars have expressed feeling unsafe and unprotected due to not being informed about their on-screen partners' criminal pasts, including drug and violence convictions. A BBC investigation revealed that several female contestants were unaware of their matches' backgrounds, which included drug trafficking, affray, and common assault charges.
Sierah Swepstone, a contestant from the previous year's series, stated she was not told about Billy Belcher's drug conviction and only found out after the show. She emphasized the need for informed consent and questioned the show's decision to accept such risks on behalf of participants. Belcher's representatives indicated he had been honest with production about his past.
Another anonymous contestant, referred to as 'Anna', claimed her on-screen husband had a history of aggressive behavior, including throwing objects, and that producers were aware. She expressed feeling terrified during filming and traumatized by the experience, attributing her distress to the show's casting choices.
Further revelations include Adrian Araouzou, a contestant on the upcoming 2025 series, who had a 2017 conviction for affray. His on-screen partner was reportedly not informed of this. Timothy Smith, from the 2024 series, admitted to serving a year in a US prison for drug trafficking, a fact he revealed after filming. Chris Nield, from the latest series, was previously found guilty of common assault.
In response, Channel 9 and Endemol Shine Australia stated they have strong protocols in place to ensure participant safety and wellbeing, and that all participants undergo extensive background checks, including police checks. They noted that some convictions were from many years prior and involved minor penalties.