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

Allegations that Married at First Sight Australia stars were not told about their on-screen partners previous drug and violence convictions are "serious and disturbing," the country's media watchdog has said.

The claims, reported in a BBC News investigation on Saturday, have also prompted a response from the UK's media regulator Ofcom, who called them "deeply concerning".

Several male contestants have been allowed on the show - known to many as MAFS Australia - despite having been convicted of, or having faced allegations of, violence, assault or drug use.

The Australian broadcaster Channel 9 and production company Endemol Shine Australia, which makes the show, have said they have "strong protocols in place to ensure participant safety and wellbeing".

As well as being a huge hit in Australia, the show is popular in the UK and is shown on Channel 4.

Channel 4 has pulled all the UK episodes of MAFS from its streaming service All 4, but MAFS Australia remains available to watch.

It comes after the British version of the show was plunged into crisis after BBC Panorama reported rape allegations from two women contestants - allegations the men involved have denied.

Channel 4 has commissioned an external review into contributor welfare on MAFS UK which is due back later this summer.