Channel 4’s decision not to remove a Married at First Sight participant from the reality TV show after concerns over his alleged past behaviour has been met with dismay online.
Alexander Henry is currently appearing in the ninth series of the show, which got under way on Monday. Fans had hit out prior to the show’s launch regarding his inclusion. As the channel shared an Instagram promotion reel which included Henry following claims of abuse, fans took to the comments section to criticise the decision. Now, days into the series, fans are still seemingly unhappy with the call to keep him on screen.
One user on Twitter/X wrote after the initial episode: “Stick a woman in a room full of men and within 5 minutes she’ll sniff out the rats. Charlie knows exactly who Alex cos of how he speaks about women. Channel 4 should be ashamed. I hope he doesn’t have a moments peace on the show.” Thousands had signed a petition to axe the participant from the current series following the behaviour allegations, but Channel 4 opted against doing so.
Earlier this week, it was reported by The Sun, Alex had previously been arrested by military police for abandoning his role in the RAF to participate on the show, despite his leave request being denied by his commander. His spokesperson told the publication about the claim: “He returned after filming of his own volition and handed himself into the military authorities. He was sentenced to 34 days in a military prison and served 24 as a model inmate.”
Channel 4 confirmed their stance on keeping Alex on the show, saying it would not be cutting his scenes as “the DBS (criminal record) check carried out on the contributor raised in the allegation was returned clear”. The organisation previously said the “welfare of our contributors is of paramount importance and, as such, we take all allegations of unacceptable behaviour seriously” after it was revealed he has faced claims over his “behaviour towards women'”
Channel 4 added: “Everyone taking part in MAFS UK undergoes a rigorous vetting process, involving a criminal record check and multiple psychological evaluations, before they can be cleared to take part. We cast contributors based on the information we are legally able to access, and we continue to review this process to ensure checks are as thorough as legally possible.”
It’s the second time Henry has appeared on a reality dating show called Let’s Make a Love Scene. However, the episode he appeared in didn’t make it to air following his former partner reporting his behaviour to the show’s producer. MAFS UK and Let’s Make a Love Scene are produced by separate production companies.