Committee publication · Correspondence · 2 June 2026

Letter from Priya Dogra, Chief Executive of Channel 4 relating to Married at First Sight, 1 June 2026

From: Culture, Media and Sport Committee

Summary

Priya Dogra, Channel 4 CEO, responds to Culture, Media and Sport Committee questions about Panorama allegations against Married at First Sight UK. Channel 4 acknowledges duty of care responsibilities and describes welfare protocols including background checks, daily check-ins, and 24/7 support. It commissioned external reviews by Clyde & Co and Lorraine Heggessey, to conclude summer 2026, and defends its decision to broadcast despite prior awareness of some allegations.

Key findings

Channel 4 was aware of some allegations before broadcast but states decisions were made after 'careful consideration of the contemporaneously available information'; details withheld pending review findings.
Welfare protocols include daily check-ins with specialist teams, 24/7 access to dedicated welfare staff, independent psychology support, and proactive follow-up for six months post-transmission.
Complaints process involves both Channel 4 and CPL, with clear escalation procedures and contemporaneous record-keeping (compliance logs, daily welfare logs).
Channel 4 denies being 'dismissive' of allegations; states the phrase 'wholly uncorroborated and disputed' was taken from legal correspondence and used specifically in duty-of-care context with BBC, not as blanket dismissal.
Channel 4 states it cannot investigate allegations against individuals—that is police matter—but will cooperate with any investigation; review findings and recommendations to be shared with Committee.

Tone

Procedural

Topics

broadcastingsafeguardingduty-of-carereality-televisioncompliance

Key actors

Priya Dogra, Channel 4, CPL (production company), Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Lorraine Heggessey, Clyde & Co, BBC Panorama, Ofcom

Notable line

“Channel 4 takes these responsibilities very seriously. Broadcasters and production companies have a shared responsibility …”

Key Quotes

“Absolutely. The Ofcom Broadcasting Code makes it clear that "Broadcasters should take due care over the welfare of a contributor who might be at risk of significant harm as a result of taking part in a programme..." and Channel 4 takes these responsibilities very seriously.”
— Priya Dogra · On whether Channel 4 accepts duty of care to participants

“We believe MAFS UK is produced under some of the most comprehensive and robust welfare protocols in the industry. These include the most thorough background checks available, a Code of Conduct which clearly sets out behavioural standards, daily contributor check-ins with a specialist welfare team and access to additional support before, during and after filming.”
— Priya Dogra · Describing welfare measures on Married at First Sight

“Channel 4 was aware of some, but not all, information pertinent to the allegations ultimately raised in the Panorama programme prior to the broadcast of the relevant series of Married at First Sight UK .”
— Priya Dogra · On whether Channel 4 knew of allegations before broadcast

“This phrase has been taken out of context by the BBC from legal correspondence and reported as though it was our statement in response to the programme as a whole.”
— Priya Dogra · Responding to criticism over calling allegations 'wholly uncorroborated and disputed'

“With regard to the allegations against the individuals, these are not something that Channel 4 is in a position to investigate or adjudicate on. That would be for the police and the relevant authorities should a complaint be made to them.”
— Priya Dogra · On investigation of allegations against contributors

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