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Married At First Sight UK confirmed to not return following results of wide-ranging external review from Channel 4

The upcoming sixth season will not air on Channel 4 either.

The Married at First Sight UK logo. In the image there are two cartoon images of a bride and groom holding hands with a red heart above them. The first Married at First Sight then appear next to it.

Channel 4

Published: Thursday, 5 November 2026 at 11:08 am

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Married at First Sight UK will not return to Channel 4, following an external review into the welfare on the show.

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The review was commissioned by chief executive Priya Dogra after being presented with "serious allegations of wrongdoing against a small number of past contributors by Panorama".

The aforementioned Panorama relates to a BBC investigation where one woman accused her on-screen partner of sexual misconduct while on the reality dating show, while two other anonymous women alleged they were raped.

All three men deny the allegations.

The review had two elements. The first was a legally privileged and confidential review conducted by law firm Clyde & Co, examining whether the welfare protocols in place at the time the claims were initially raised, and the handling by Channel 4 and CPL of those claims, fulfilled Channel 4's duty of care obligations under the Ofcom broadcasting code.

The review found that Channel 4 and production company CPL’s welfare protocols were compliant with the Ofcom broadcasting code and there were no findings of a breach of the code.

It also noted that there were three isolated incidents where the welfare framework was not fully implemented.

The review found that "Channel 4 and CPL could have undertaken a more structured longer-term review over multiple series and found certain areas where it considered that the contributor welfare framework could be further strengthened, and made recommendations in this regard".

The second element of the review was led by former BBC One controller Lorraine Heggessey and examined if any changes should be made to current protocols for MAFS UK to further strengthen contributor welfare.

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Heggessey reviewed extensive documentation and conducted confidential interviews with individuals involved in MAFS UK production, welfare processes, commissioning and compliance in line with the terms of reference.

The review read: "The Heggessey review found that the welfare protocols for MAFS UK were extensive, extremely thorough and of a high standard from which other productions in the industry have learnt. It also offered observations on the specific challenges associated with the MAFS UK format and made comprehensive future-facing recommendations.

"The Heggessey review concluded that, with enhancements to the existing contributor welfare framework and adjustments to the format, it would be reasonable to continue to produce future series of MAFS UK."

A spokesperson for CPL told Radio Times: "CPL understands Channel 4’s decision to bring MAFS to an end on the channel.

"The independent reviews gave CPL the opportunity to discuss in depth the welfare processes already in place and that the Heggessey review found that 'the welfare protocols for MAFS UK were extensive, extremely thorough and of a high standard from which other productions in the industry have learnt.'

"CPL has always put contributor welfare at the heart of its programme making and will continue to do so. CPL have worked closely with Channel 4 for many years and throughout the review process, and we look forward to working with them again in the future."

Dogra thanked the external reviewers and noted that while the implementation of the recommendations were feasible, they would "entail a materially greater level of intervention, monitoring and supervision that would fundamentally alter the format and editorial proposition of the programme".

With that, along with the "maturity of the programme", Dogra decided that the right course was to bring MAFS UK on Channel 4 to an end.

She confirmed that season 6 would not be broadcast, as it was not made under the recommended protocols and the commissioned Second Married at First Sight, which was in pre-production, would not resume production.

Dogra said: "I want to thank Lorraine Heggessey and Clyde & Co for their thorough and incisive work over the last few months. Welfare across all our programmes is a primary concern, so we welcome the review, its findings and recommendations.

"MAFS UK has been enjoyed by millions of viewers, made possible by the willingness of its contributors to embrace the social experiment at the heart of the show and the many talented people involved in its production.

"I am grateful to everyone at Channel 4 and CPL Productions who has worked on the show and want to thank them for their significant efforts to protect the welfare of contributors, something which was recognised in both reviews.

"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.

"The recommendations are eminently sensible and feasible, but considering their wholesale implementation provoked fundamental questions about the editorial proposition of a show that, I believe, has now run its course over ten years. Channel 4 has always thrived on reinvention and this is a moment to kickstart a new era of creative renewal, using the considerable budget to find the next generation of distinctive and disruptive British television.

"This review did not have the authority to adjudicate on the very serious allegations made by three women in the Panorama programme, but I would like to repeat that I am very sorry for the distress those women have clearly felt.

"I hope our actions – in swiftly commissioning the review and taking clear, decisive steps – demonstrate our commitment to the wellbeing of all contributors and our desire to relentlessly strengthen industry standards."

Earlier this year, Ofcom confirmed it had launched an investigation into the reality series after receiving a complaint relating to fairness and privacy.

An Ofcom spokesperson told Radio Times: "We are investigating a Fairness and Privacy complaint about Married At First Sight UK."

However no new information has been provided at this time.

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Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of Katelyn Mensah, smiling against a lime green background.

Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah is the Senior Entertainment Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.

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