Channel 4 reality show Married at First Sight is facing backlash after refusing to remove participant Alexander Henry following accusations of domestic abuse made by a former partner.
Despite calls for his removal, Channel 4 confirmed that they would not be cutting Mr. Henry’s scenes from the upcoming ninth series, citing a clear criminal record check as the reason for their decision. The Sun reported that Mr. Henry had previously been sentenced to 34 days in a military prison for taking unauthorized leave from his role in the RAF to participate on the show.
In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for Mr. Henry told The Sun that he had returned after filming and served his sentence as a model inmate. The BBC has reached out to both the RAF and Mr. Henry for comment on the matter.
Married at First Sight is known for its bold social experiment where single individuals marry total strangers they meet for the first time at the altar. Mr. Henry, a personal trainer from Birmingham, is one of the groomsmen on the show.
Channel 4 has stated that they take all allegations of unacceptable behavior seriously and have a rigorous vetting process for all contributors on the show. Despite the criticism, they have defended their decision to keep Mr. Henry on the show.
Charity Women’s Aid expressed disappointment and concern over Channel 4’s decision, stating that they had hoped for a zero-tolerance policy towards alleged abusers being given a platform on television.
The controversy surrounding Mr. Henry’s participation in Married at First Sight has sparked a debate about the responsibility of reality TV shows in addressing allegations of abuse and ensuring the safety and well-being of their participants.
