What will happen to Married at First Sight Australia as MAFS UK is axed after 10 years?

Fans of Married at First Sight have learned that the show will not be returning to screens after Channel 4 confirmed that the reality dating show has been axed after 10 years as a result of an external review.

The popular experiment has become a reality TV favourite in the UK since it first aired in 2015, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch hopeful singles walk down the aisle with complete strangers in the hope of finding lasting love.

But following a series of serious allegations and an extensive review into contestant welfare, Channel 4 has decided to pull the plug on the UK version, bringing an end to a decade of weddings, dinner party showdowns and dramatic commitment ceremonies.

The decision also means that the planned spin-off, Second Married at First Sight, which was set to bring together familiar faces from the British and Australian versions, will no longer go ahead.

Naturally, the news has left fans wondering what this means for the Australian version of the show, which has built up a huge following among British viewers. So, is Married at First Sight Australia also at risk of being axed?

Is Married at First Sight Australia being cancelled?

There is currently no official news about Married at First Sight Australia, and MAFS UK is made by a different production company to the Australian version, but there is reason for fans to wonder about its fate.

Back in September, Australia's Nine Network confirmed that the show will return for a 14th series in 2027. The announcement was included in the network's plans for its 2027 programming, which described MAFS Australia as the country's number one reality TV show.

The network also said at that time that the upcoming series will also see a new addition to the expert panel, with relationship expert Marryam Chehelnabi joining returning experts Alessandra Rampolla and John Aiken.

But, last month it was confirmed that police are opening an investigation into the show over "inappropriate content" being shared between the show's production company and a particpant of the show.

According to industry publication TV Blackbox, a male contestant has reportedly lodged a formal police complaint, alleging that producers disclosed personal information about him to his on-screen wife.

Channel Nine said they are "aware" of the investigation by New South Wales Police.

A spokesperson said in a statement to 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."

MAFS Australia has also faced its share of controversy in recent months, following a BBC News investigation in which several former contestants claimed they had not been made aware that their on-screen partners had previous convictions for drug-related offences and violence.

Why has Married at First Sight UK been axed?

Channel 4's decision follows an external review into contestant welfare, which was commissioned after serious allegations of wrongdoing involving a small number of former participants.

The allegations were brought into the spotlight by a BBC Panorama investigation, which led to a programme with aired in May this year. In it, two women alleged they had been raped by their on-screen husbands, while a third woman described an alleged non-consensual sexual act. The men involved have denied the allegations.

Following the programme, Channel 4 removed previous series of MAFS UK from its streaming services while it investigated the concerns.

The broadcaster commissioned two separate reviews, including a legal review by law firm Clyde & Co and an assessment led by former BBC One Controller Lorraine Heggessey. As a result, the broadcaster has confirmed that MAFS UK will not return, with its allocated budget instead being redirected towards new programming.

The series that had been filmed earlier in 2026 will also not be broadcast, it has been confirmed.

Will Married at First Sight Australia still air in the UK?

MAFS UK has previously aired on E4 around two months after it debuts in Australia, usually in February or March. British fans will also be therefore wondering if they will still be able to watch the Australian experiment now that its UK counterpart has been axed.

At the time of writing, the 13 seasons of MAFS Aus are still available to watch on Channel 4 catch-up service.

However, the broadcaster has not confirmed any new UK broadcast arrangements for the previoiusly planned 2027 Australian series as part of the cancellation announcement. So, if the Australian show does return, British viewers may have to wait for confirmation of exactly when and where they will be able to watch it.