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UK's Channel 4 cancels 'Married at First Sight' after rape allegations

Reuters
UK's Channel 4 cancels 'Married at First Sight' after rape allegations

LONDON, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Britain's Channel ‌4 said on Thursday that "Married at First Sight UK" would not return to screens following a ​review ‌prompted by serious allegations of misconduct during the making ‌of the hit reality show.

The broadcaster removed all previous seasons of the show in May after a BBC report ‌detailed allegations of rape by two women during filming.

Channel 4 said a review by law firm Clyde & Co had found its welfare protocols complied with broadcasting codes, although there were ⁠isolated incidents where the welfare framework was not fully implemented.

A ‌second part of the review, ⁠by former BBC executive Lorraine Heggessey, found the protocols were "extensive, ​extremely thorough and of a high standard", Channel 4 said.

The show, in which strangers are matched by ​experts and "marry" at first sight, is part of an ​international ‌franchise across multiple countries, including the United States and Australia.

Channel ​4 Chief Executive Priya Dogra said welfare across its ⁠programmes was a primary concern.

"Whilst the review ‌praised the ​welfare protocols in place and made ​no findings that Channel 4 breached the Ofcom Code or that the format is inherently unsafe, I have to consider when is the right time for Channel 4 ‌to move on from a format," she said.

Implementing all of the review's recommendations would fundamentally alter the show's format, ‌she said, ​adding that she believed it had "run its course" after 10 years.

The BBC reported in July that a cast member from the show had been arrested on suspicion of rape following ‌its investigation.

(Reporting by Paul Sandle, editing by Sam Tabahriti)