First Dates contestant who assaulted his ex-girlfriend and abused another' appears on show in new Channel 4 scandal

Published: 09:31, 22 May 2026 | Updated: 09:52, 22 May 2026 A First Dates contestant who reportedly 'assaulted his ex-girlfriend and abused another' has appeared on the show in a new scandal for Channel 4.  The victim's mother and the second woman have spoken out following clearance of the man - who has not been named - to feature on a recent episode of the hit programme.  In 2020, the 41-year-old man reportedly admitted to assault at a magistrates court and was handed a two-year restraining order and told to pay £225 over the offence in West Sussex.  Now, the victim's mum has described him as physically 'damaging' to her daughter and claimed the long-term impact to her mental health has been 'catastrophic' as a result. She said her daughter was 'brave' to take the man on - adding her daughter was 'hoping' he would face punishment so no other women would suffer at his hands. The woman added that she was 'shocked' to see him being 'promoted as an ideal potential partner' on the hit dating show.  She said: 'There obviously cannot have been any due diligence.' A second woman has also alleged to have suffered in a relationship with the same man.   It has been revealed that a First Dates contestant assaulted his ex-girlfriend and allegedly abused another woman. First Dates host, Fred Sirieix,  pictured here with the show's team  'What I experienced has left lasting trauma that I carry with me every single day,' she said in an interview with The Sun.  The woman - who is a fan of First Dates - said Channel 4 should be 'held accountable' for presenting a man who has a 'known history of violence' against women as a 'safe and trustworthy partner'. She added that she 'completely spiralled' after seeing him on television.  She said: 'The impact has affected every part of my life.' A Channel 4 spokesperson said: 'All First Dates contributors are subject to the highest level of checks we are legally able to undertake, which include a DBS and detailed online checks. 'All checks for this individual, including the DBS, were clear.' The revelations come as fellow Channel 4 show Married at First Sight (MAFS UK) has also been embroiled in claims of sexual misconduct.  It will likely face a police probe after two former participants claimed they were raped by their on-screen husbands, and a third woman claimed she had been the victim of sexual misconduct. Shona Manderson (pictured) alleged that Bradley Skelly engaged in a non-consensual sex act while they filmed the Channel 4 show Brad Skelly (pictured) categorically denies 'any allegations of sexual misconduct' or that he was 'controlling' Shona Manderson is among the alleged victims who has waived their anonymity.  Speaking to BBC show Panorama, she said she had an abortion after on-screen husband Brad Skelly took things 'too far' during sex by ejaculating inside her without permission. Ms Manderson said she 'completely lost her light' during filming, which resulted in experts raising concerns over Mr Skelly's alleged 'controlling' behaviours toward her and the two being asked to leave the show.  Two other female contestants alleged being raped - with one informing both Channel 4 and the production company only for the episodes to be aired anyway. One woman, known by the pseudonym Lizzie, told Panorama said she was left with bruises from an alleged assault and claims her partner also threatened to have acid thrown at her. She described how one night: 'He tried to have sex with me. And I kept saying no, that I didn't want to do it. 'But he kept saying, 'You can't say no, you're my wife'. And he just did it anyway.' Lizzie added that she was too scared to tell anyone about what was happening as: 'He said that if I told anybody what had happened, that he would get someone to throw acid at me.' Chloe - the third woman - also alleges being raped by her on-screen husband.  Three women who have appeared on MAFS spoke to Panorama, including two who allege they were raped by their on-screen husbands Her claims were raised both with CPL - who produces First Dates - and Channel 4 prior to them being shown to the public, however, the episodes in which she was featured were aired anyway. She said: 'He smirked and climbed on top of me, moved my leg… By that time, I'd really given up and I just didn't want him to be angry at me when the cameras came. 'I just lay there, and I stared out the window.' Chloe - also a pseudonym - added that once her partner noticed she was not participating, he told her: 'You're making me feel like a rapist'. The women say the show did not do enough to protect them and that welfare protocols were insufficient.  All the men are understood to deny the allegations against them.  In a statement to the BBC, Mr Skelly said he categorically denies 'any allegations of sexual misconduct, or that he was controlling'. In light of the allegations, Channel 4 bosses have axed the new series of the show, and all ten series of Married at First Sight UK were removed from the channel's streaming service. The Met Police has since urged any woman with allegations of sexual assault or rape linked to the show to contact them.  Last week, a spokesperson for the force said: 'We will be making approaches to the relevant production teams to ensure that anyone they have spoken to is aware of how to report any criminal allegations to police. 'We continue to encourage anyone who believes they have been a victim of sexual assault, no matter how long ago it happened, to get in touch with us.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? 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