MARRIED At First Sight UK has been hit by over 700 furious complaints to Ofcom in ‘aggressive bullying row.’
The complaints have been made about three separate episodes of the hit show – two of which involve groom Alex.
On October 24, the majority of complainants objected to alleged aggressive and bullying behaviour by Alex, who recently left the show during the commitment ceremony.
There were also complaints about him on October 23 as well, with 207 from that episode, and 315 complaints the following day.
Things between Alex and his wife Holly came to a head when she challenged him over the way he spoke to some of her fellow brides at the commitment ceremony – including Lacey Martin.
Following the bust-up with Alex, Holly made the decision to leave the experiment – urging producers to “get me out of here”.
She then returned for the dinner party, but things went from bad to worse between the couple and they left the show after both writing ‘leave’ at the commitment ceremony, and choosing to end their marriage.
But as well as Alex, another episode of the show has been complained about to Ofcom, after Richelle’s scenes with husband Orson.
After the episode on October 21 the show received 249 complaints, with the majority of complainants objected to comments made by Richelle to Orson during the commitment ceremony, and alleged bullying behaviour from various participants in the programme.
MAFS viewers were mortified by scenes that played out between Orson and Richelle.
TV star Richelle, 48, unleashed her harsh views about Orson, 41, for the last time during the commitment ceremony.
News emerged that Orson and Stephen’s wife Hannah had kissed during the couple’s retreat – and all hell broke loose.
Orson admitted: “On the last night of the retreat me and Hannah were speaking and we shared a kiss. There was a little connection there. I’m not going to lie.
“What I had was done, I knew what she was in was done, so honestly I didn’t feel like I was walking on anybody’s toes or disrespecting anyone.”
The mum-of-one poked: “He saw an opportunity with Hannah to recouple and stay in the process. He jumped at it. You’re an embarrassment to yourself at this point.
Married at First Sight UK 2024
Here's who you can expect in the Mafs 2024 cast:
- Emma, 31 from Bristol
- Sacha, 29 from Birmingham
- Kristina, 31 from East Sussex
- Eve, 31 from Omagh
- Holly, 29 from Huddersfield
- Charlie, 30 from Surrey
- Richelle, 48 from London
- Polly, 28 from Kent
- Lacey, 27 from Hertfordshire
- Adam, 33 from Nottingham
- Alex, 28 from Birmingham
- Casper, 34 from New Forest
- Kieran, 28 from Newcastle
- Nathan, 24 from Somerset
- Orson, 41 from St Kitts and Nevis
- Ross, 32 from Manchester
“Before I came into this process I asked for a strong, intelligent man who has a bit of integrity, and I haven’t found that in Orson at all. I find him quite weak-willed, you really aren’t as sharp as you think you are.
“It’s pretty obvious I think to most people that you’re a bit simple. He definitely lacks any shred of integrity. So, one week too late, but it’s obvious – leave.”
Orson responded: “I feel like I was trying and trying and trying. It was just like squeezing blood from a stone. Just get me out of here please.”
Fans commented: “Richelle is one of the most disgusting human beings I have ever watched on TV. How can the experts not have called her out on her bullying and horrible language. She is vile.”
“If Richelle’s company sees this program I really hope she gets sacked. Do you really want this disrespectful woman representing your company?” penned a second.
“Absolutely spot on. It was awful. I’m disgusted the experts didn’t step in. I doubt very much this would have happened on #MAFSAustralia. It would have been stopped. Also uproar would have ensued if a husband spoke to the wife in a similar manner,” noted a third.
Another fan inquired: “It baffles me how the ‘experts’ just let Richelle absolutely degrade this man in front of everyone, if Orson was slating her like that they would’ve 100% intervened. Very unsettling to watch.”
“I’m going to stop watching MAFS unless the experts start calling these toxic woman out on the show… Polly, Holly and Richelle should be taken to task over their comments. Disgusting behaviour,” wrote a disgruntled viewer.
Another simply wrote: “So disappointed in Paul.”
“This is not on. Double standards AGAIN. Women can get away with bullying a man but when a man does it it’s wrong,” fired another.
“I find it funny how everyone calls out Alex for his aggression and the way he addresses the opposite sex, yet the way Richelle speaks to Orson is the most disgusting thing I’ve seen on TV and everyone lets it slide… double standards.”
Richelle responded to the backlash and told followers on social media: “I cant wait to tell my grandchildren about the time I used the ‘c-word’ on national tv and the country lost its s***.
“I was trending above hurricanes, war and natural disasters. They were foaming at the mouth, gnashing their teeth and howling at the moon with rage over your Grandma lol. What a time to be alive.”
