Married at first sight star Amy Kenyon has revealed that he has been ‘sexually degraded’ on and off camera during the show.
The UK edition of the reality show has been making headlines over the past week after a BBC The Panorama investigation is broadcast two women claim they were raped by their on-screen husbands during the filming of Channel 4 program. A third claimed a non-consensual sexual act.
Subsequently, Channel 4 bosses have apologized to the brideswith executive Priya Dogra ‘very sorry’ after watching the documentary and learning about the ‘disturbance’ of women.
“Wellbeing in all our programs is extremely important to us and is a top concern,” Dogra added in a statement. “However, I’m sure you will appreciate that Channel 4 cannot investigate the specific allegations against the men, which they have denied, nor can I comment on them in any way.”
Additionally, all episodes of MAFS UK have been withdrawn from the broadcastbut a final decision has not been made on her future.
now, coming forward with her story, Kenyon, who appeared on MAFS UK in 2024 and has since been on Celebrity Ex on the Beach, has revealed she needed therapy because of ‘sexual harassment‘ and feeling ‘uncomfortable’ with her partner, Luke Debono.
Speaking of sunThe 29-year-old began: “The sexual harassment continued and mine happened on camera. I just had to deal with it, and everyone was laughing at it. It was making good TV, even if I was uncomfortable 80% of the time.’
She described her time on the program as ‘very, very, very difficult’, recalling telling producers that her match was like a ‘boring guy (she) would avoid in the bar’, rather than someone she would approach.
“I remember having to share a bed with him that night. And I thought, ‘Oh my God, I can’t do this,'” she said, with her and Debono later joining the experiment as an “intruder couple.”
As they slept together, Kenyon ‘placed the pillows as a barrier to keep him away from (her)’, reminding himself that, due to the unconventional nature of the social experiment, he was probably supposed to feel weird.
“But you can’t help but feel sometimes, ‘Is it fair?’
From there, Kenyon, who worked in sales at the time, questioned her decision to attend after Debono, who is from Malta, made ‘highly sexual’ comments and ‘derogatory jokes’.
“I’m not that sensitive, but it was the fact that I asked him to stop, but he didn’t.
She further claims his problematic behavior started ‘immediately’ and she asked him to ‘tone it down’ during their honeymoon in the Bahamas.
However, as Debono noticed others laughing at his taunts, “it just got worse and worse.”
This included discussing their sex lives in front of other participants and experts, removing his shirt during a pottery session and telling Kenyon that he “wished the stool he was sitting on was her face”.
“I wish I was on my knees while you were cooking in the kitchen and terrorizing your b****,” he told her at one point.
Kenyon claims that contestants were encouraged to have sex and talk about sex on the show, but she would usually like to get to know someone “for a few weeks” first.
Channel 4 statement following Married At First Sight UK welfare review announcement
Priya Dogra, Chief Executive of Channel 4, said:
“I would like to express my sympathy to contributors who are visibly distressed after taking part in Married at First Sight UK. The welfare of our contributors is always of the utmost importance.
“It would be entirely inappropriate for me to comment on what are very serious allegations made against some UK MAFS contributors. These allegations – which I understand are contested by the accused contributors – are not something that Channel 4 is in a position to adjudicate. We are also mindful of our ongoing duty of care to all contributors and the need to maintain the anonymity and privacy of all involved.
“Regarding the allegations that Channel 4 may have failed in its duty of care, I believe that when concerns were raised about the welfare of contributors and based on the information available at the time, Channel 4 acted quickly, appropriately, sensitively and with welfare first and foremost.
“However, because we aspire to the highest standards of contributor welfare, I felt strongly as the new CEO of Channel 4 that it was right to look again at how we dealt with the issues raised at the time and ask whether changes need to be made to further strengthen contributor welfare.
“That is why last month I commissioned an external review of the welfare of contributors to MAFS UK. That review will report back to me in the coming months.
“We take these matters very seriously and are committed to ensuring that we continue to lead the industry in our duty to look after contributors.”
‘The experiment is fast-paced and you have to move at a faster pace. “Looking back now, I wish I hadn’t,” she admitted.
Once they started having sex, Kenyon asked her partner not to reveal any private details during filming, pleading, ‘Please don’t humiliate me’, as she wanted her father to be able to watch.
Debono ‘promised he wouldn’t’, however a scene of him talking to another groom about their bedroom antics made it onto the air, which Kenyon didn’t know was going to air until producers called him to inform him.
She found Debono’s comments ‘disgusting’, but most of his alleged sexual harassment was not filmed, including ‘weird, sick stuff’.
Watching the series, Kenyon felt ‘humiliated’ and described co-star Debono as ‘the filthiest human being (she) has ever met’.
Calling it quits with her during the final pledge ceremony, Kenyon believes she had a ‘lucky escape’ as Debono was not allowed back for the reunion show. According to Daily Mailbosses fired him after he ‘shocked the cast and crew with his aggressive behaviour’.
Now Kenyon, who has previously praised Channel 4 for ‘thorough’ inspections, is calling for 24-hour surveillance in the MAFS flats if he is to return for future series.
“They can verify people, but you don’t really know who someone is. So there’s a risk,” she said.
As for where Debono is now, the former prison education director recently celebrated his 33rd birthday, which he documented on Instagram, where he boasts 102,000 followers.
’33 today 🤍 Another year of blessings and lessons’, his caption read.
Debono often shares pictures online from his life and travels, but he was “blocked” by Kenyon shortly after their time on Married At First Sight.
In an earlier statement amid fan reaction to his actions while their season was airing, he wrote: “In light of recent episodes, as much as the support is appreciated, please keep in mind that (you) only see a fraction of our time together and we are sometimes caught in vulnerable or strong moments. Both Amy and I have zero tolerance for negativity or hate.’
Find out more about the Rape Crisis in England and Wales
Rape Crisis England & Wales is a charity working to end rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, child sexual abuse – and all other forms of sexual violence.
Whether it happened recently, or a long time ago; if you know without a doubt that you have experienced sexual violence, or you are not completely sure; if it has happened to you or someone you know; Rape Crisis England & Wales will always believe and listen to you, and they can offer you information and support.
You can find out more about the Rape Crisis in England and Wales here; and if you’re 16 or over, you can call the charity’s 24/7 support line for free on 0808 500 2222.
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