RICHARD Madeley has blasted Married at First Sight UK, branding the hit reality show “an accident waiting to happen”.
The Good Morning Britain host ripped into the show’s creators, claiming “anyone with two brain cells” could have predicted the format’s downfall.
Richard Madeley blasted Married At First Sight as “an accident waiting to happen” Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Shona Manderson spoke out during the BBC Panorama investigation into the reality show allegations Credit: BBC
Speaking to Rosie Wright and Calum Macdonald on Times Radio, Richard said the genre had “been walking the tightrope for the last decade and they’ve come off”.
Giving his verdict, he said: “Married at First Sight is manipulative and frankly, when I first heard about it 10 years ago, I couldn’t believe it had been commissioned.
“It was obvious to anybody with two brain cells to rub together that this was an accident waiting to happen.”
Richard went on to express his cynicism about reality TV as a whole, despite having taken part in various shows himself.
Richard Madeley said reality TV contestants are “not the priority” for programme makers Credit: Getty
Shona reflected on her experience during Panorama interview Credit: BBC
He said: “What’s really important to recognise is that there is no such thing as reality television — it’s the opposite.
“It’s completely controlled and manipulated and invented. And what every contestant, whether it’s on a decent show like I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! or The Traitors, or on the extreme edge of so-called reality television, must realise is that you are not the priority of the programme maker.
“The priority of the programme maker is the programme, the ratings, the revenue and the recommission.”
Richard’s comments come as Married at First Sight faces fresh scrutiny following a string of allegations made by former contestants about the show’s behind-the-scenes culture.
Two brides were allegedly and a third had to get an abortion, a bombshell doc found.
followed an external review commissioned in April into the welfare of participants on the show.
The show, which is produced for Channel 4 by independent production company CPL, sees single people matched by experts to “marry” strangers who they meet for the first time on their wedding day.
How to report a sexual assault
IF you have experienced sexual assault, there are a number of ways to report it and seek support —
- Contact a doctor or practice nurse at your GP surgery.
- Contact a voluntary organisation, such as Rape Crisis , Women’s Aid , Victim Support , The Survivors Trust or Male Survivors Partnership .
- Call the 24-hour freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge , on 0808 2000 247.
- Speak to the rape and sexual abuse support line run by Rape Crisis England and Wales – you can call the helpline on 0808 500 2222 or use the online chat (both are free and are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year).
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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