Women's Aid have issued a statement over Married at First Sight UK's Brad Skelly's behaviour towards partner Shona Manderson, following Wednesday night's episode.
Following the 27-year-old model from Grimsby telling wife Shona to "shut up" during a dinner party and calling her "emotionally immature" in earlier episodes, he then made some troubling comments during their commitment ceremony, including questioning whether he should "allow" her to get angry.
Sitting opposite experts Paul C Brunson, Mel Schilling and Charlene Douglas, the 27-year-old said, "Not that I’m in a position of authority or to teach her, but if I allow her to get angry, is she ever going to learn?", with charity Women's Aid labelling this behaviour "controlling."
Teresa Parker, head of media at Women’s Aid, told The Tab, "It is really important that the experts on the show called this out as controlling behaviour and challenged Brad’s view that it was acceptable to say that he had the right to 'allow' Shona to be angry.
"TV programmes like these, which are based on the formation of relationships, need to be aware of the dynamics of controlling and coercive behaviour, and always send a clear message that it is wholly unacceptable."
Since the episode aired, Brad reportedly posted a video to his Instagram stories. While he said he took "full responsibility" for his actions, he also defended his behaviour. He said he isn't a controlling person and that people commenting on the situation haven't experienced it themselves, whereas those who have can understand how "things can become a pressure cooker".
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"I am not a controlling person at all. Going back to anyone who knows me personally knows that I don’t have one controlling bone in my body," said Brad.
"So within the show when I’ve said to Shona 'You’re allowed to feel', that’s not me giving permission. That’s just my terminology saying you’re a human being. You’re allowed to feel every emotion.
"So I can see how that’s come across. There’s just a lot of crossed wires that can be portrayed."
Shona has also since shared her own views in light of the recent events, hoping to turn what she's learnt into a "positive".
"In sharing some of my experience and the lessons I’ve learned I don’t want it to seem it’s an invitation to comment about Bradley on my posts because that’s not my intention here. It’s important to address the behaviour but not attack the person," she wrote on Instagram.
"I would like to share my experience on MAFS but in doing so I want to share what I’ve learned and turning it into something positive. This is about my growth and discovery." She thanked her fans for their support and kind words.
We have reached out to E4 for comment.
Coercive and controlling behaviour is a pattern of repeated abusive behaviour carried out within an intimate relationship or within a family, according to Women's Aid. This may continue even after a relationship has formally ended. View the charity's website for information on safe ways to seek help.
Hannah Millington is a journalist and writer who has covered everything from health to news to entertainment and all things lifestyle. She loves a morning croissant, evening documentary and good chat with her friends.
