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TV watchdog hit with complaints over shocking new lows on MAFS

TV viewers have filed complaints to the watchdog about the grubby new season of MAFS, which sunk to new lows with an “abhorrent” toothbrush incident.

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The Australian Communications and Media Authority has received three complaints about the new season of Married at First Sight.

The complaints to ACMA come as MAFS sinks to new lows, including a disgusting toothbrush incident, claims producers are manipulating drama behind the scenes, and growing questions about the matchmaking skills of the show’s so-called experts.

MAFS ‘groom’ David Cannon and ‘bride’ Hayley Vernon.
MAFS ‘groom’ David Cannon and ‘bride’ Hayley Vernon.

An ACMA spokesman said the authority had received three complaints about the latest season of MAFS.

“Under the co-regulatory system, the ACMA will refer complainants to the broadcaster in the first instance.

“If the complainant does not receive a response from the broadcaster within 60 days, or is not satisfied with the response, they may refer their complaint to the ACMA.”

The Channel 9 show is facing renewed controversy after airing footage of “bride” Hayley Vernon using a toothbrush that her “groom” David Cannon previously used to clean a toilet.

The incident was described on the show as “David’s act of revenge.”

Cannon was triggered after he discovered Vernon had hooked up with another “groom”, Michael Goonan.

Vernon responded to the incident earlier today, telling Fox FM hosts Fifi Box, Brendan Fevola and Byron Cooke: “That’s beyond disgusting. It’s abhorrent. It’s unjustifiable.”

Vernon also claimed she and Cannon will be booted from the show this weekend after Cannon “made a deal” with producers “to leave.”

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The claims also follow comments from former MAFS “bride” Carly Bowyer about the dud matchmaking skills of experts John Aiken, Mel Schilling and Trisha Stratford.

“The couples know nothing about each other; they’re (matched) by experts who don’t know them either so it’s pretty bloody unlikely.”

Since the show began in 2015, only three out of 48 couples are still together, and the experts’ low success rate has prompted claims of deliberate mismatching for ratings.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/confidential/tv-watchdog-hit-with-complaints-over-shocking-new-lows-on-mafs/news-story/cabd7c20523ff726daec1c5a4d425708