The reality‑TV audience has been left stunned by new revelations that stars of the Australian version of ‘Married at First Sight’ were paired with men who had serious criminal records that were never disclosed to them. BBC journalists spoke to five former brides and six former grooms, all of whom claim they were unaware that their partners had past convictions for drug offences, violence and assault.
Sierah Swepstone, who appeared in the 2024 series, said she had never been told about her groom Billy Belcher’s 2014 drug conviction in Perth. She discovered the information only after the show had finished and expressed anger that the producers had made a poor decision by casting someone with criminal background without her consent.
Another ‘announced name’ is Adrian Araouzou, a groom from the 2025 series, who was convicted in 2017 for affray. He had been subject to a conversation with the show’s producers about the offence, but his bride was not informed. The show’s protective statements on a rigorous background‑check process is being challenged.
One confidential interviewee, referred to as Anna, reported being partnered with a man who disclosed past aggressive behavior and who had previously thrown a microphone case at a wall during filming. As she explained to BBC News, “You shouldn’t be left alone with a stranger with a criminal record.” Her experience is described as traumatising, with her say she was left feeling unsafe because the show had hidden critical information from her.
The series, produced by Endemol Shine Australia for Channel 9, claims participants undergo multiple checks, including police and criminal‑history checks in each country, medical screening, psychological assessment and legal due diligence. Critics argue that many checks were administered in a rushed manner – with a 14‑day gap between a contestant’s application and the first episode – and that participants’ safety suffered as a consequence.
Channel 9’s comment said, ‘All participants on ’merried at first sight’ undergo a structured, multi‑stage checking process.’ Even so, nine former participants have called on the producers to stop allowing anyone with a criminal conviction to appear on the show. They also cited a lack of a formal system for sharing past convictions between participants, which is why they said they were not formally warned of a partner’s background.
The latest move by the show’s producers is to publicise its ratings disclaimer and outright promise better safety for the next season. Features such as the Australian “Channel 4” saying they have no editorial influence on the show give the producers a sense of being not accountable. The result is that a piece of a show which was technically broken has been acknowledged only because of a BBC investigation.
