Concerns Over Safety on Married at First Sight Australia
Participants on Married at First Sight Australia (MAFS) have expressed feelings of being unsafe and unprotected after discovering that their on-screen partners had undisclosed criminal records, according to a BBC investigation.
This revelation follows a crisis in the British version of the show, MAFS UK, where BBC Panorama reported rape allegations from two female contestants, which the accused men have denied.
One woman from the 2023 Australian series revealed she was not informed that her matched partner had a prior drug conviction until after filming concluded.
"There should be informed consent,"she stated.
Additionally, it has been uncovered that another groom from the same series had a conviction for affray, which his on-screen bride was reportedly unaware of.
In total, nine former MAFS Australia cast members have spoken to the BBC, urging the show to enhance its background checks and to prohibit individuals with prior convictions or allegations from participating.
MAFS Australia is produced by Endemol Shine Australia and airs on Channel 9, distinct from the UK version. While the UK broadcaster has removed all MAFS UK episodes from its streaming service All 4, MAFS Australia remains available.
Both versions feature singles agreeing to "marry" strangers upon first meeting at staged weddings. Though these marriages are not legally binding, the couples proceed to honeymoons, cohabitation, and relationship navigation under near-daily filming.
Several male contestants on MAFS Australia have been permitted to participate despite prior convictions or allegations involving violence, assault, or drug offenses. Some of these details are being reported by the BBC for the first time, while others have been previously documented in Australian media and verified through public court records.
Several female participants reported not being informed about their partners' criminal histories at the time of matching. When asked, Channel 9 did not confirm whether such information was disclosed but stated that their protocols do not include sharing personal or background details between participants.
'Brides are not safe on MAFS Australia'
Sierah Swepstone, a contestant from the 2023 series, expressed disappointment with the show's producers. She was paired with Billy Belcher, who was arrested and sentenced in 2014 for multiple drug-related offenses in Perth.
Swepstone said she was unaware of Belcher's past conviction until after filming ended.
"You shouldn't be left alone with a stranger with a criminal record,"she said.
"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."
She strongly feels the show failed in its duty of care toward her.
"Brides are not safe on MAFS Australia,"she added.
Billy Belcher did not respond to requests for comment. Channel 9 and Endemol Shine Australia referred to a previous statement indicating that Belcher had been transparent with production about his past suspended sentence and good behaviour for drug offenses at age 18. They also stated there were no accusations or convictions related to violence or abuse.
'I was terrified'
Another former contestant, who requested anonymity and is referred to as Anna, told the BBC that her on-screen partner admitted to aggressive behaviour in the past, which producers were aware of.
"I was terrified the whole time,"she said.
"I thought I'd be safe, that's why I signed up to the show."
Anna described being traumatised by the experience. She recounted incidents where her partner threw a microphone pack against a wall, shattering it, and another occasion where he threw an object at producers during filming.
The BBC reviewed a photograph of a bruise Anna sent during filming to a number verified as belonging to her on-screen partner, who responded:
"Shit! I'm so sorry."
Channel 9 and Endemol Shine Australia stated that the male contestant was involved in an isolated event several years prior to MAFS Australia, had no criminal record, and that they had no record of the alleged incidents involving the mic-pack or other object.
Anna's on-screen husband categorically denies all allegations, describing them as
"entirely false, malicious, and a complete distortion of reality."
Anna's primary concern is with the show for placing her in that situation.
"Channel 9 are making money off people who are vulnerable,"she said.
"They did the checks and they knew about his background, and they cast him anyway as it makes 'good TV.'"
Other cast members with past convictions include Adrian Araouzou, a groom on the 2025 series. The BBC learned he was convicted of affray in 2017. Reports also indicate he was acquitted of domestic violence charges, with trial details emerging during filming.
When contacted, Araouzou declined to comment, stating it was
"none of your business"and denied the information provided by the BBC.
Channel 9 and Endemol Shine Australia confirmed that all participants, including Araouzou, undergo extensive background checks, including police checks. They noted the affray conviction was nine years prior and resulted in a $400 fine, considered a minor penalty.
Other male participants with criminal histories include Timothy Smith from the 2024 series, who admitted post-filming to serving a year in a US prison for drug trafficking. Smith describes himself on his website as a "cartel pilot to corporate leader."
Smith stands by his statements regarding his past. Channel 9 and Endemol Shine Australia said his conviction, which occurred in the US, was not disclosed by him until after the series aired.
Chris Nield, from the latest series, was previously found guilty of common assault. Nield did not respond to requests for comment. Channel 9 and Endemol Shine Australia stated his conviction stemmed from a single incident with no repeat behaviour in the following 11 years.
The show 'dropped the ball'
Several other Australian cast members have voiced concerns about the casting process. One groom, who wished to remain anonymous, said there was only a two-week period between his application and the start of filming.
He described the background checks as "rushed" and recounted that when he could not provide certain documentation to prove he had no criminal record, producers opted to take his word to expedite the process.
"I didn't have a criminal record, but it raises the question over what happens if they put someone on the show who does have a history,"he said.
Other cast members, including Katie Johnstone from the 2025 series and Tahnee Cook from 2023, also criticized the background check procedures. Neither was paired with partners with convictions but were aware of others who were.
"If you're with someone who has a sketchy background, then you should be made aware of that,"said Johnstone.
"Especially considering you're expected to be alone and share a room with this person,"she added.
"You need to know and it's not fair that women are being placed in these positions."
"These checks can't just be a tick box,"Cook said.
"I don't think you should be allowed on with any previous offence. I think it's unsafe."
Our Watch, an Australian non-profit organisation focused on preventing violence against women, told the BBC that allegations or convictions must be treated as
"a serious safeguarding issue"by TV productions and not withheld from those most at risk.
Channel 9 and Endemol Shine Australia emphasized their commitment to participant safety and wellbeing. They outlined a structured, multi-stage process including police and criminal-history checks in each declared country of residence, independent clinical psychological assessments, medical screenings, statutory declarations, and legal and digital due diligence.
, which broadcasts MAFS Australia in the UK, stated it has no involvement in the show's production and no editorial control. However, it ensures that any acquired programmes comply with the Ofcom Broadcasting Code.
