In brief
Police in New South Wales have opened an investigation into Married at First Sight Australia following reports that producers shared private information about cast members with their on‑screen partners. The inquiry comes after a BBC investigation earlier this year exposed gaps in background checks, revealing that several contestants were not told of their partners’ prior drug convictions or violent histories. Channel Nine and the production company Endemol Shine Australia have declined to comment, while industry watchdogs and unions have urged for a review of welfare protocols. The UK version of the show, aired on Channel 4, is also under review by Ofcom after unrelated allegations of sexual assault surfaced.
Police are investigating the hit reality show after accusations that producers may have shared private information about contestants with their on‑screen partners.
The New South Wales Police Service confirmed on Monday that officers from the South Sydney Police Area Command had started an investigation on 24 August after receiving a report of “inappropriate content being shared.” They said the matter would be referred to the Western Australia Police Force, which has yet to respond to a formal request from BBC News.
Channel Nine, the broadcaster of Married at First Sight Australia, acknowledged that it was aware of the police inquiry and directed all enquiries to Endemol Shine Australia, the production company. Endemol Shine Australia has not yet commented on the developments.
The investigation follows a June BBC News report that, on the night of the UK version, nine former cast members urged manufacturers to improve background checks and stop placing participants with past convictions on the show. Earlier this month, a BBC Panorama programme revealed that some Australian cast members had not been told of their partners’ prior drug and violence convictions, prompting a warning from the Australian media watchdog that the findings were "serious and disturbing".
A spokesperson for Channel Nine said, “We are aware of a police investigation involving Endemol Shine Australia and all enquiries should be directed to them.” Channel Nine and Endemol Shine Australia maintain that they have "strong protocols in place to ensure participant safety and wellbeing".
The UK edition of the programme is also under review by UK regulator Ofcom after a cast member was arrested on suspicion of rape following a Panorama investigation in May. The review has yet to be published, but Ofcom spokesperson Dame Melanie Dawes said the findings were due "any day now."
UK review update
Channel 4 removed all UK episodes from its streaming platform ahead of the Panorama broadcast, though the Australian version remains available to viewers. The broadcaster is commissioning a review into contributor welfare, but will only publish a summary of the findings. Professionals in the industry have previously defended the programme’s welfare systems as "gold standard" and industry‑leading.
For further information or to share new information on the story, contact Noor Nanji at noor.nanji@bbc.co.uk.
