UK media regulator Ofcom has launched a formal investigation into Channel 4's Married at First Sight UK, categorised under "Fairness and Privacy" following complaints. The move comes after the show was engulfed in scandal, with multiple rape allegations made against contestants and one participant arrested on suspicion of rape, prompting scrutiny of the welfare protections in place for reality TV participants.

Ofcom said it is investigating a Fairness and Privacy complaint but gave no further detail, while its group director of broadcast has told MPs the regulator would examine an "advance copy" of Channel 4's welfare review and urgently assess whether regulatory action is warranted. A BBC News investigation found two women alleging they were raped by men they met on the show and a third describing a non-consensual sex act; Channel 4 has since launched two separate reviews, one led by a law firm and another by former BBC One chief Lorraine Heggessey, and pulled all episodes from its streaming service. Channel 4 CEO Priya Dogra apologised to the women in late May, while lawyers for producer CPL Productions have disputed elements of the claims.