ITV Take Me Out star calls for more protection of reality TV stars amid Married at First Sight scandal: 'Went into a spiral!'

The ITV dating series saw a single man attempt to impress a panel of 30 women, with contestants deciding whether to keep their lights on before one romantic match headed to the fictional Isle of Fernando's.

Although Ms Maria insisted she does not regret taking part, she said she struggled with the aftermath of appearing on television.

Asked whether reality TV had gone too far, she replied: "Sometimes, yes. I think it's a thing where people don't realise, mental health-wise, I think some people can really destroy their lives.

"So certain things, there should be some kind of protection, guidance when you go on that show.

"Or maybe if they could speak to a counsellor after the show, because trolling online is something that no one's prepared for.

"They don't realise how it can affect someone until you come off the show. So I think that would be something they could implement."

The former contestant revealed she did not feel properly supported after the programme aired.

"Not really. I didn't really know what I was signing up for, to be honest, with the aftermath," she said.

"I did get a lot of trolling. And once my friend contacted the show, they offered me a day of counselling.

"But yeah, it was a lot. Don't read the comments, that's all I'm going to say."

Asked whether ITV should have done more, Ms Maria said contestants would benefit from better preparation before filming.

"Maybe they could train us better, and maybe let us know... that you do get a lot of hate online," she explained.

"I didn't even know about that support. I didn't get that support until my friend contacted the show personally."

She added that producers should allow contestants to present themselves more authentically, claiming she felt pressured into a look that did not reflect who she really was.

"I wish I had gone and done my own makeup," she admitted.

"I think trying to let them change you into being something you're not, that's where it becomes hard, because you're getting trolled for that, and that's not even you."

The experience ultimately had a profound effect on her confidence.

"It's awful. I went into a little spiral, and I just didn't want to go out anymore.

"I felt like everyone hated me. I had so much anxiety. I had to go back to my job. I went out with a hood on my face. It was quite bad."

Ms Maria's comments come as reality television welfare has been thrust back into the spotlight following allegations surrounding Channel 4's Married at First Sight.

The franchise is facing intense scrutiny after the BBC's Panorama documentary The Dark Side of Married at First Sight featured allegations of rape, sexual misconduct and wider concerns over participant safeguarding.

The allegations have been denied by those accused, while production company CPL Productions has rejected claims of a "toxic" behind-the-scenes culture.

The investigation prompted Channel 4 to commission an independent external review into the programme's welfare procedures, while the Metropolitan Police urged anyone who believes they may have been a victim of sexual assault connected to the show to come forward.

Media regulator Ofcom has also described the allegations as "deeply concerning."

Asked whether she could relate to the recent controversy, Ms Maria said: "Yes and no. Yes, in terms of feeling controlled and stuff. No, because I don't think any of the men were abusive or anything like that on Take Me Out - they all seemed very nice.

"So I can't really speak for Married at First Sight. However, it's a lot to take as an experience. It's a fun experience when you apply; it's the best time of your life. But coming off, there's so much on you, you know? So it must be really hard for these people."

Her comments come after ITV introduced enhanced duty of care measures across its reality programmes in recent years, including mandatory psychological support, social media guidance, and structured aftercare following growing scrutiny of contestant welfare.

Speaking to GB News at the same event, where she presented the award for Best International Film, ITV News Arts Editor Nina Nannar said the industry had changed significantly over the past two decades.

"I think what's changed is that scrutiny has become so much better than 20 years ago. It was a bit of a Wild West, wasn't it, when these reality shows first arrived?" she said.

"I do know that they take it extremely seriously, because they have to. They really have to."

Ms Nannar, who covers major entertainment events including the Oscars and the Baftas, added that greater scrutiny around contestant welfare was a positive development.

"People ask questions - they ask about welfare, they ask about scrutiny and how well contestants are looked after," she said.

"Often when something bad happens to people, that comes out into the open, but it's exactly the right direction. It's going to be even more intense in years to come, and that is exactly how it should be."