LONDON — The Metropolitan Police have urged potential victims of sexual assault who appeared on Married at First Sight UK to contact them, following a BBC Panorama report broadcast on Monday that documented accusations from former contestants. Two women alleged they were raped by their on-screen husbands, and all the men involved deny the allegations.

Shona Manderson accused her on-screen husband of taking things too far during sex on Married at First Sight UK. A contestant said her on-screen husband threatened her with an acid attack and said he would arrange for someone to throw acid at her if she told anyone, and that sex with him turned violent and she repeatedly told him to stop. Lawyers for the man said he denies rape.

A second woman alleged she told Channel 4 and CPL before broadcast that she had been raped by her on-screen husband, but her episodes were still aired. Lawyers for CPL said that before the woman made her rape allegation, she told CPL that all sexual activity had been fully consensual, and that CPL acted immediately once she said she felt unsafe. Lawyers for CPL also said the company's welfare system was "gold standard" and that it had acted appropriately.

The Metropolitan Police have not received any criminal reports relating to the allegations following the airing of the programme, and the two women featured have not contacted police. Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said of potential victims, "We are ready to listen to them. We are ready to investigate." The BBC has been contacted by a number of former cast members raising concerns.

Channel 4 has removed all previous seasons of the programme from its streaming platforms. Channel 4 said the programme was produced under comprehensive and robust welfare protocols including background checks, a code of conduct, and daily contributor check-ins with a specialist welfare team. Channel 4 chief executive Priya Dogra said, "On the claims that Channel 4 may have failed in its duty of care, I believe that when concerns about contributor welfare were raised, and based on the information available at the time, Channel 4 acted quickly, appropriately, sensitively and with wellbeing front and centre." Dogra launched an external review of contributor welfare in April that will examine the handling of claims and whether welfare protocols should be updated.

Caroline Dinenage, chair of the culture, media and sport committee, said, "It's a TV show that almost expects and anticipates people that have only just met each other will have to become really quite intimate with each other. They're expected to share a bed and a life together within minutes of meeting – it almost feels like an accident waiting to happen." She added, "Clearly, the programme was deeply shocking."

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said all allegations must be referred to the appropriate authorities and investigated with full cooperation of those involved, and that there must be consequences for criminality or wrongdoing.