Married at First Sight Australia allegations 'disturbing', says country's watchdog

"We await its findings which we will consider alongside all other evidence made available to us."Both the UK and Australian versions of MAFS show single people agreeing to "marry" total strangers after meeting for the first time at their mock weddings.The marriages are not legally binding, but viewers see the couples go on "honeymoons", before moving in together and navigating their relationships - all while being filmed, almost every day.In a joint statement responding to the BBC's investigation on MAFS Australia, Channel 9 and Australia" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="145675" data-entity-type="organization">Endemol Shine Australia said they take their obligations in respect of the health, wellbeing and safety of participants "extremely seriously"."There is a structured, multi-stage checking process that every participant must complete and clear," they said - including police and criminal-history checks in each declared country of residence, independent clinical psychological assessment, medical screening, disclosure supported by a statutory declaration, and legal and digital due diligence.Channel 4 has said it is not involved in the production of MAFS Australia and has "no editorial control or input" into its making."However, Channel 4 ensures any version it transmits of acquired programmes adheres to the Ofcom Broadcasting Code."