The Fox network has cancelled a rerun of ratings sensation Who Wants to Marry a Multimillionaire? and dropped plans for any more such specials after learning that its TV groom was accused of violence by a former girlfriend, a spokesman for the network said yesterday.
"Fox has become aware of information regarding Mr. Rockwell's past," the network said in a statement, referring to Rick Rockwell, the groom in the controversial new show. "In light of that new information, the network feels that to rebroadcast the special would be inappropriate, and consequently we have removed it from our schedule."
A spokesman said Fox is "not planning to proceed with any specials of this kind in the future." The network also pulled promotions and radio advertisements for the show, which aired last Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Mr. Rockwell returned to his California home after his Caribbean honeymoon and angrily denied the abuse allegations.
"At no time have I ever struck any of my girlfriends, ever, for any reason," Mr. Rockwell, 42, told KGTV on Sunday night outside his home in Encinitas, a coastal city 40 kilometres north of San Diego.
"I don't condone it under any circumstances. It goes against my core beliefs and I was not raised that way," he said. "You know, relationships have ups and downs, but getting physical for me is not an option."
The whereabouts of his bride, Darva Conger, 34, were unclear. Mr. Rockwell said she was "doing well" and was not with him because "she's getting some much needed rest right now."
More than 22 million people tuned in Feb. 15 to watch 50 women compete to marry Mr. Rockwell. Review: /Honeymoon over?
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