Married at First Sight Australia star Jack Dunkley's "muzzle" comment has been condemned by the charity Women's Aid.
In an episode of the reality show which aired on E4 on Thursday (March 21), MAFS Australia cast member Lauren Dunn was determined to inform Tori Adams exactly what her husband Jack, who she described as a "misogynist", had been saying behind her back.
Lauren told show producers that her husband Jono McCullough had heard a rumour that Jack told the other men on the show that whoever was paired up with Tori in the couple swap could sleep with her.
This situation left Tori devastated and when the rest of the cast confronted Jack over the remarks at a couples' dinner, he insisted that his couple swap comment was intended as "a joke" and later grew irritated with Lauren and Jono.
Related: MAFS Australia groom's wedding catchphrase gets panned
Jack then asked Jono to "muzzle" his wife, to the shock of their castmates and the show's relationship experts.
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In a statement obtained by The Tab, a spokesperson for Women's Aid said: "Viewers of reality television, like the MAFS franchise, are increasingly aware of signs of coercive and controlling behaviour, as well as wider topics of domestic abuse and violence against women and girls.
"Each season, viewers will call out disturbing behaviours by contestants and it is vital that producers pay attention – not only vetting contestants properly before they start filming, but also intervening when there is controlling or abusive behaviour from contestants, and even removing them from the show when necessary for the safety of others.
"The world of entertainment has a responsibility to viewers – including many young viewers who are forming their ideas about relationships – to show that harmful behaviours are not acceptable and that unacceptable behaviour will be addressed."
Related: MAFS UK exes reignite romance rumours with cosy reunion photo
Jack had previously faced criticism from viewers for his behaviour in a photo-ranking challenge during Confessions Week, where he pressed his wife Tori to "convince" him that she was the most attractive of the women among the cast.
Speaking to 9Entertainment after the episode aired in Australia, Jack said he was "disgusted" with himself and felt "instant regret".
"I did walk back into the Dinner Party and apologised to Lauren. I said to her, 'I'm happy to go to battle with you, you're a big player here so happy to do battle and I apologise for that comment.' Lauren accepted my apology and we hugged it out," he added.
A preview for the next episode of MAFS Australia due to air in the UK hinted that Jack will have to account to the show's relationship experts Mel Schilling, John Aiken and Alessandra Rampolla following his shocking remarks.
Married at First Sight UK airs on E4 in the UK. Married at First Sight Australia airs on Nine Network in Australia and E4 in the UK.
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Reporter, Digital Spy
Dan is a freelance entertainment journalist. Beginning his writing career in 2014, Dan's work first graced the pages of cult publications Starburst magazine and Little White Lies before moving onto Total Film, Digital Spy, NME and Yahoo Entertainment.
In the film and TV universe, he kneels at the altar of Jim Carrey, Daniel Plainview, Mike Ehrmantraut and Paulie Walnuts.
