Ex-Ms GB April Banbury needed therapy after being paired with ‘controlling’ husband on MAFS
FORMER Ms Great Britain April Banbury says appearing on Married at First Sight left her needing therapy.
She was paired with financial advisor George Roberts — since arrested for alleged controlling and coercive behaviour.
April, 33, said: “The traumas I have from being on Married At First Sight are ruining my life.
I was given six therapy sessions and basically told to try and move on.
“People say Love Island is brutal but MAFS is 100 per cent worse.
No one should apply to take part until they put in place more stringent background checks.”
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Wedding dress designer April, who in 2020 won the first Ms GB over-28s category, wed Roberts for the E4 show in April and the scenes aired in August.
The Sun revealed three of 40-year-old Roberts’ exes then told bosses of previous complaints to the police.
He was arrested last month but denies any wrongdoing.
April said the couple broke up on August 15 after returning from a Spanish holiday.
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But she said: “When the show told me about The Sun story, they told me I needed to be there to support George.
“I felt like they silenced me when I wanted to speak. I feel totally let down.
I have a welfare officer who is amazing, but it seemed like the production team couldn’t care less.
“It’s like, ‘Sorry your life has been ruined, here is a therapist, get over it, brush it under the carpet and move on’.
I am angry.
They put this man into my life. I did not choose to have this man — they chose him for me.”
Married At First Sight fans have since called for the show’s experts to be axed.
April added: “I am trying to be positive. But just because I am smiling on the outside does not mean I am smiling inside.
“I’m just trying to get through each day. If I slip down that dark hole I don’t think I’ll ever get out.
Channel 4 insisted it was “untrue to suggest April was asked to take a position against her wishes, nor would we seek to silence her.”
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It added: “All cast have access to appropriate support before, during and after filming and broadcast.
April has been offered and continues to access such support.”