What are the allegations?
A BBC investigation revealed that one woman from last year’s Australian series was not told the man she was matched with had a previous drug conviction.
She was reportedly not told until the show had wrapped.
The BBC also revealed another groom on the show had a past conviction for affray, which was also allegedly not communicated.
Nine former cast members told the British news outlet that they were calling for an improvement in how the show conducted background checks.
The production company behind the show, Endemol Shine Australia, which airs in Australia on Channel 9, has responded to the allegations.
In a joint statement, the companies said they had “strong protocols in place to ensure participant safety and wellbeing”.
Channel 9 did not respond to the question put to them by the BBC about whether or not some cast members were informed about their partners’ criminal pasts.
A star from last year’s series, Sierah Swepstone, was cast with Billy Belcher. Photo / Instagram
One of the stars from last year’s series who spoke to the BBC, Sierah Swepstone, was cast with Billy Belcher, who was arrested and sentenced in 2014 for multiple drug-related offences in Perth.
Swepstone claims she was not told about his previous conviction before or during the show’s production.
“You shouldn’t be left alone with a stranger with a criminal record,” Swepstone told the BBC.
“At the very least, there should be informed consent. They should let us know. Why is the show accepting that risk on our behalf? We should have the choice.”
Channel 9 and Endemol Shine Australia shared a previous statement which said: “Billy was completely honest with production about the life lessons he learnt when he was 18, after receiving a suspended sentence with good behaviour for drug-related offences.”
The companies also said there were no accusations or convictions in relation to violence or abuse.
Another former contestant told the BBC her partner told her that he had behaved aggressively previously.
She claimed that the producers knew.
“I was terrified the whole time,” says the woman, who has asked to remain anonymous.
“I thought I’d be safe, that’s why I signed up to the show.”
Channel 9 and Endemol Shine Australia told the BBC the male contestant was involved in an “isolated event” several years before MAFS Australia.
They said he did not have a criminal record.
The BBC spoke to several other Australian cast members who raised concerns about the casting process on the show.
One person claimed the checks before the show had been “rushed”.
Channel 9 and Endemol Shine Australia said they take their obligations in respect of the health, wellbeing and safety of participants “extremely seriously”.
“There is a structured, multi-stage checking process that every participant must complete and clear.”
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