Police have visited the set of reality TV show Married at First Sight after a report was made involving alleged inappropriate sharing of personal content in Western Australia, months after former contestants raised the alarm over alleged inappropriate behaviour on the show.
Nine, the broadcaster of the popular series and owner of this masthead, issued a statement confirming the police investigation, but referred all enquires to EndemolShine Australia, which produces the show for the broadcaster. EndemolShine has been contacted for comment.
The alleged incident occurred during the filming of the show’s forthcoming season. NSW Police said its officers attended a Zetland apartment building on August 24 to investigate after a report was filed in Sydney.
“Officers attached to South Sydney Police Area Command commenced an investigation following a report of inappropriate content being shared,” police said in a statement to this masthead. “Following inquiries, the matter will be referred to WA Police Force.”
According to online publication TV Blackbox, a male contestant filed the report after producers allegedly sourced private information about him and shared it with his on-screen bride.
Police conducted interviews and seized phones when they visited the set, TV Blackbox also reported.
In May, this masthead revealed participants in the Australian version of the show alleged a pattern of unsafe behaviour – including a bride being filmed in the shower without her knowledge – non-consensual touching by a groom, and production staff blocking exits to stop cast members from leaving the set.
Nine’s ratings juggernaut was also issued three SafeWork NSW improvement notices after several participants and a viewer at home raised allegations about an unsafe working environment on the show last year.
And it’s not the only version of the show that has been caught up in controversy. Earlier this year, Nine and the UK’s Channel 4 were forced to pull all UK episodes from streaming after two ex-cast members alleged they were raped by their on-screen husbands during the filming of the show in a BBC investigation.
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