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MAFS spin off Second Marriage At First Sight has been put on hold after serious allegations made by former brides prompted an ongoing investigation.
The new Channel 4 series was due to bring together fan favourites from MAFS UK and MAFS Australia.
However, plans for the show have now been paused following claims made by several women who previously appeared on the franchise.
A BBC Panorama investigation revealed allegations of sexual assault linked to the programme.
Two women who appeared on MAFS UK have alleged that they were ‘raped’ by their on screen husbands.
Second Marriage At First Sight is on hold amid an ongoing investigation (Credit: Channel 4)
Former bride Shona Manderson, who appeared in the 2023 series, also alleged she experienced ‘sexual misconduct’ during her time on the show.
All three husbands deny the allegations.
It has now been confirmed that Second Marriage At First Sight has been placed on hold while Channel 4 awaits the outcome of an external review.
An insider told The Sun: “Casting for potential bride and grooms for the all-star cast has been closed and the crew has been stood down for the planned July filming.”
Channel 4 told TVGuide: “We will decide how to proceed once we have seen findings of the external review into contributor welfare on MAFS UK.”
What is Second Marriage at First Sight?
Channel 4 announced Second Marriage At First Sight in February. The new series would give former MAFS favourites another opportunity to find lasting love.
The format would have seen eight well known cast members from the UK and Australian versions of the show matched with new partners.
This time, there was an extra challenge.
The couples would begin their journey in the UK before travelling to Australia to meet family and friends. They would then have to decide whether they were willing to move across the world in the name of love.
The news about Second Marriage At First Sight came while MAFS Australia was airing (Credit: Channel 4)
‘Greatest love story yet’
Steve Handley, Head of Reality Entertainment at Channel 4, previously shared his excitement for the new series.
He said at the time: “These eight well-loved MAFS singles didn’t find lasting love the first time. But they haven’t given up and neither have we.
“Everyone deserves a second chance at love and this time they are saying ‘I do’ to a stranger on the other side of the world, risking absolutely everything for another shot at getting it right. I think it will be our greatest love story yet.”
However, the future of the spin off was thrown into doubt when the BBC aired Panorama: The Dark Side of Married At First Sight in May.
The programme examined allegations of rape and sexual misconduct made by women who had appeared on the show.
Channel 4 chief executive Pryia Dogra has since told the women she is “deeply sorry”.
The outcome of an external investigation into welfare procedures on MAFS UK is expected in the coming months.
Until those findings are published, the future of Second Marriage At First Sight remains uncertain. The next series of MAFS UK is also hanging in the balance.
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The post ‘Stood down’: MAFS bosses confirm spin-off series Second Marriage at First Sight is on hold following sexual assault allegations appeared first on Entertainment Daily.
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