The former Channel 4 boss told First Sight UK he ‘would not have commissioned’ the wedding.

The future of Britain’s Married at First Sight series is uncertain as broadcaster Channel 4 awaits the results of an “external review” after two women claimed they were raped by their on-screen husbands.

The men denied the charges.

But Sir Michael Grade, who ran Channel 4 in the 1980s and 1990s and later served as chairman of Britain’s communications regulator Ofcom, said he would never have launched the program if he had still been in charge.

“I would never have commissioned it in the first place,” Lord Grade said at 7.30.

Lord Grade claimed that some reality TV formats, including Married at First Sight UK, were becoming increasingly exploitative and posed unacceptable risks to the wellbeing of contestants.

Lord Michael Grade ran Channel 4 in the 1980s and 1990s. (Reuters)

“If we have to install so many safety measures before the show, during the show, through post-production, through post-transmission management… in the name of what? In the name of entertainment?” he said

He believes the pressure to attract larger audiences with each season of a hugely successful franchise only increases that risk.

“It’s obviously designed to get ratings and clicks, but where does it stop?” Lord Grade asked.

He said he was shocked by the allegations, which were broadcast on the BBC’s Panorama program two weeks ago.

Michael Grade says shows like Married at First Sight pose unacceptable risks to participants. (Supply: 9now)

“I think people are very concerned,” Lord Grade said at 7.30.

“Broadcasters, especially the public broadcasters in the UK, the BBC, Channels 3, 4, 5, Sky and others will think three or four times about the risks they are taking with some of these formats.”

Lord Grade believes more contestants could come forward with claims relating to their experiences on the show.

Supporting family and domestic violence: “They can create a very dangerous environment for women, and we are seeing this through the nature of some of the complaints surrounding Married at First Sight,” Lord Grade said.

“We don’t know what other complaints are coming from people who haven’t yet had the courage to speak out.”

These concerns were echoed in the 7.30 show by Married at First Sight Australia contestant Tahnee Cook, who also said the show could create a “dangerous” environment for women.

Cancel card?

Channel 4 has posted all MAFS UK episodes online pending the results of an “external review” into the welfare of the show’s contributors, announced by newly appointed chief executive Priya Dogra last month.

Asked whether the 7.30 broadcaster was considering canceling the show, a Channel 4 spokesperson said no decision would be made until the results of the external review were published.

The broadcaster said the review has two parts and will look into both Channel 4’s handling of contributor welfare and the practices of CPL Productions, the show’s producer.

Channel 4 has published all MAFS UK episodes online following the allegations. (Reuters: Jamie Joy)

The first phase of the review is being led by British law firm Clyde and Co and will examine “the welfare protocols in place for this program at the time the claims were made and Channel 4 and CPL’s handling of these claims”.

The second phase is being led by independent industry expert and former BBC One controller Lorraine Heggessey.

Channel 4 said Mr Heggessey would assess whether MAFS UK’s current welfare protocols should be changed to further protect contributors.

Lord Grade said he understood why Channel 4 wanted to keep MAFS UK on air, but questioned whether the risk was worth it.

“I’ve been on the air my whole life,” he said at 7:30.

“I don’t commission shows anymore, but to be honest, I wouldn’t touch this show with a barge pole if I was still doing that.”

Watch Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm and 7.30pm on ABC iview and ABC TV.

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