Several participants on the Australian reality TV show Married at First Sight (MAFS) have revealed they were not informed about their on-screen partners’ past criminal convictions. This lack of disclosure has left some cast members feeling unsafe and unprotected during filming, according to a BBC investigation.
The show, produced by Endemol Shine Australia and aired on Channel 9, matches single people who agree to “marry” strangers in staged weddings. Although these marriages are not legally binding, couples go on honeymoons and live together while being filmed daily. The BBC’s investigation found that some male contestants had previous convictions or allegations related to violence, assault, or drug offenses, which were not disclosed to their partners.
Why this matters
The safety and wellbeing of participants on reality TV shows are critical concerns, especially when individuals are placed in close, intimate settings with strangers. The failure to inform cast members about their partners’ criminal histories raises serious questions about the show’s duty of care and the adequacy of its background checks. Participants have called for improved protocols to prevent potential harm and to ensure informed consent.
Key developments
- Sierah Swepstone, a contestant from last year’s series, said she was unaware that her on-screen husband, Billy Belcher, had a previous drug conviction until after filming ended. She criticized the show for not informing her, stating that participants should have the choice to know about such risks.
- Another female contestant, who asked to remain anonymous, described feeling terrified during filming due to her partner’s aggressive behavior. She shared evidence of a bruise sustained during filming and said producers were aware of his temper but did not disclose this to her.
- Adrian Araouzou, a groom on the 2025 series, has a 2017 conviction for affray. His on-screen partner was reportedly not informed of this conviction.
- Timothy Smith, from the 2024 series, disclosed after filming that he had served a year in a US prison for drug trafficking.
- Chris Nield, from the latest series, was previously found guilty of common assault, a conviction that occurred 11 years ago.
Background and responses
Channel 9 and Endemol Shine Australia stated they have “strong protocols in place to ensure participant safety and wellbeing,” including multi-stage background checks, police and criminal history checks, psychological assessments, medical screenings, and legal due diligence. However, they confirmed that personal or background information is not shared between participants, meaning cast members are not informed about their partners’ past convictions.
The producers acknowledged that Billy Belcher was honest about his past drug-related offenses and that there were no convictions related to violence or abuse. Regarding other cases, the production company described some incidents as isolated and stated that some convictions were from many years ago with minor penalties.
Several former cast members criticized the casting process, describing it as rushed and insufficiently thorough. One groom said background checks were hurried, and in some cases, producers accepted verbal assurances instead of documentation to confirm the absence of a criminal record.
Calls for change
Former participants and advocacy groups have urged the show to improve its screening processes and to exclude individuals with previous convictions or allegations from the cast. Katie Johnstone and Tahnee Cook, former contestants, emphasized the importance of transparency, especially since participants are expected to share living spaces with strangers.
Our Watch, an Australian organization focused on preventing violence against women, highlighted that allegations or convictions should be treated as serious safeguarding issues and not withheld from those most at risk.
Current status
While the British version of Married at First Sight has been removed from Channel 4’s streaming service following allegations of sexual assault, the Australian version remains available on Channel 9. Channel 4 clarified that it has no editorial control over the Australian show.
The controversy surrounding undisclosed criminal histories on Married at First Sight Australia raises ongoing concerns about participant safety and the responsibilities of reality TV producers to protect those involved.
Recommended reading
For more context, see related Peack News coverage and explainers linked below.
