An RAF recruit has reportedly faced incarceration for abandoning his military duties to participate in a reality dating show. Alex Henry, who will be featured starting Monday on Channel 4’s Married At First Sight UK, had previously served at an electronic warfare base.
Allegedly, the 28-year-old was imprisoned following his appearance on the program, having left his post in pursuit of both romance and fame.
Henry’s military service was cut short after he was sentenced to 24 days in military prison, eventually leading to his dismissal. According to The Sun, Henry had requested leave from his commanding officer at RAF Spadeadam, Cumbria, last winter to join the dating show, but his request was denied.
Henry, 28, served at an electronic warfare base before being sentenced to 24 days in military prison for abandoning his duties
Despite this, he proceeded with his plans, later returning voluntarily and turning himself in to military authorities. His spokesperson confirmed that he served 24 days out of a 34-day sentence, demonstrating good behavior.
The situation surrounding Henry intensified after Women’s Aid reported allegations of abuse from several women who voiced their concerns on social media under the show’s promotional content.
These accusations labeled Henry as dangerous, leading to calls for Channel 4 to remove him from the show. In response to these claims, Channel 4 assured Metro.co.uk that the welfare of their participants is their top priority. The network stated they take all allegations seriously and have responded to those who raised concerns.
Channel 4 also emphasized that every participant on Married At First Sight UK undergoes thorough vetting, including criminal background checks and psychological assessments.
The DBS check for Henry returned with no issues, and the network remains committed to continually refining their vetting processes to ensure they are as comprehensive as possible.
