What are the allegations? <\/p>\n
A BBC investigation revealed that one woman from last year\u2019s Australian series was not told the man she was matched with had a previous drug conviction. <\/p>\n
She was reportedly not told until the show had wrapped. <\/p>\n
The BBC also revealed another groom on the show had a past conviction for affray, which was also allegedly not communicated. <\/p>\n
Nine former cast members told the British news outlet that they were calling for an improvement in how the show conducted background checks. <\/p>\n
The production company behind the show, Endemol Shine Australia, which airs in Australia on Channel 9, has responded to the allegations. <\/p>\n
In a joint statement, the companies said they had \u201cstrong protocols in place to ensure participant safety and wellbeing\u201d.<\/p>\n
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\u2019 criminal pasts. <\/p>\n
A star from last year\u2019s series, Sierah Swepstone, was cast with Billy Belcher. Photo \/ Instagram<\/p>\n
One of the stars from last year\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Swepstone claims she was not told about his previous conviction before or during the show\u2019s production. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou shouldn\u2019t be left alone with a stranger with a criminal record,\u201d Swepstone told the BBC. <\/p>\n
\u201cAt 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Channel 9 and Endemol Shine Australia shared a previous statement which said: \u201cBilly 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The companies also said there were no accusations or convictions in relation to violence or abuse. <\/p>\n
Another former contestant told the BBC her partner told her that he had behaved aggressively previously.<\/p>\n
She claimed that the producers knew.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was terrified the whole time,\u201d says the woman, who has asked to remain anonymous. <\/p>\n
\u201cI thought I\u2019d be safe, that\u2019s why I signed up to the show.\u201d<\/p>\n
Channel 9 and Endemol Shine Australia told the BBC the male contestant was involved in an \u201cisolated event\u201d several years before MAFS Australia.<\/p>\n
They said he did not have a criminal record. <\/p>\n
The BBC spoke to several other Australian cast members who raised concerns about the casting process on the show. <\/p>\n
One person claimed the checks before the show had been \u201crushed\u201d. <\/p>\n
Channel 9 and Endemol Shine Australia said they take their obligations in respect of the health, wellbeing and safety of participants \u201cextremely seriously\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a structured, multi-stage checking process that every participant must complete and clear.\u201d <\/p>\n