Police investigate Married at First Sight Australia after 'inappropriate' allegations

Married at First Sight Australia is facing fresh controversy after police launched an investigation into the hit reality TV show.

New South Wales told BBC News that inquiries had taken place "following a report of inappropriate content being shared".

Channel Nine, which broadcasts Married at First Sight Australia, confirmed that it was "aware of a police investigation" involving the show's production company.

It is the latest blow for the show, after a BBC News investigation earlier this year into MAFS Australia revealed cast members said they had not been told their partners had previous drug and violence convictions.

Those revelations led to a warning from Australia's media watchdog, which called them "serious and disturbing".

The British version of Married at First Sight, known to many as MAFS UK, was separately plunged into crisis in May after BBC Panorama reported rape allegations from two female cast members - allegations the men involved have denied.

MAFS UK is made by a different production company to the Australian version.

Married at First Sight shows single people agreeing to "marry" total strangers after meeting for the first time at their mock weddings.

The marriages are not legally binding, but viewers see the couples go on "honeymoons", before moving in together and navigating their relationships - all while being filmed, almost every day.

According to industry news website TV Blackbox, a male cast member on the current series of MAFS Australia made a formal complaint to the police after producers allegedly shared private information about him with his on-screen bride.

A spokesperson for New South Wales Police Force told BBC News: "On Monday 24 August 2026, officers attached to South Sydney Police Area Command commenced an investigation following a report of inappropriate content being shared.

"Following inquiries, the matter will be referred to WA [Western Australia] Police Force."

BBC News has approached WA Police Force, who said the referral has not yet been received.

A spokesperson for Channel Nine said: "We are aware of a police investigation involving Endemol Shine Australia and all enquiries should be directed to them."

Endemol Shine Australia, which makes MAFS Australia, has not responded to multiple requests for comment over the latest developments.

In June, a BBC News investigation heard from nine former cast members from MAFS Australia, who urged the show to improve its background checks and to stop allowing individuals with previous convictions or allegations on the show.

One woman from last year's Australian series told us she was not told the man she had been matched with had a previous drug conviction and only found out after the show ended. "There should be informed consent," she told us.

Responding to those claims at the time, Channel 9 and Endemol Shine Australia said they had "strong protocols in place to ensure participant safety and wellbeing".

As well as being a huge hit in Australia, the show is popular in the UK and is shown on Channel 4.

The broadcaster pulled all the UK episodes of MAFS from its streaming service just hours ahead of the transmission of the Panorama investigation in May, but MAFS Australia remains available to watch.

In July, BBC News revealed that a cast member from MAFS UK had been arrested on suspicion of rape following the Panorama programme.

The individual is not being named; nor is the alleged victim. Anyone who makes an allegation of rape is entitled to anonymity by law.

The media regulator Ofcom has also launched an official investigation into the hit Channel 4 show.

The UK version, which has been running for 10 seasons, is one of Channel 4's biggest shows, with audience figures often topping three million.

The broadcaster has commissioned a review into contributor welfare on the show. However, it only intends to publish "a summary of findings", rather than the full report.

Channel 4's chief executive previously said the review was due back in the summer, but it has not yet been published.

Speaking to MPs earlier this week, Ofcom boss Dame Melanie Dawes said the report was due back "any day now".

BBC News has approached Channel 4 for a response.

Lawyers for CPL, the independent production company that makes the UK version of the show, have previously said its welfare system is "gold standard" and industry-leading.

If you have more information about this story, you can reach Noor by email at noor.nanji@bbc.co.uk