Controversial US television show Who Wants to Marry a Multimillionaire has been axed after allegations about the bridegroom in the programme's first edition.

The two-hour show involved 50 women parading before middle-aged millionaire Rick Rockwell in swimming costumes and wedding dresses.

Mr Rockwell - a property developer and former stand-up comedian - chose one of the women and married her on air.

The Fox Network said that it had cancelled the programme after accusations that Mr Rockwell had been violent towards a woman in a previous relationship.

Mr Rockwell has adamantly denied this

The show drew the Fox TV network's highest number of total viewers in nearly two years - peaking at 22.8 million - and the highest ratings ever for women aged 18-34.

'Gutter TV'

The Fox network has cancelled plans to re-show the programme and dropped plans to make any similar programmes.

Critics had condemned the show as "gutter television" and demeaning to women.

It has been reported by The Smoking Gun web site that a former fiancée of Mr Rockwell's had issued a restraining order against him at the Los Angeles superior court.

She accused him of striking her twice and threatening to kill her when she tried to break-off their engagement.

Mr Rockwell, who returned home from his Caribbean honeymoon without his bride Darva Conger, said that he had not struck any of his girlfriends at any time for any reason.

It has emerged that Mr Rockwell signed a pre-nuptial agreement denying his new wife a share of his fortune should their controversial union end in divorce.

A statement from the Fox network said: "Fox has become aware of information regarding Mr Rockwell's past. In the light of the information, the network feels that to re-broadcast the special would be inappropriate".

There are no plans for future shows because the network had screened Mr Rockwell extensively and still failed to find out about he restraining order - proving, the statement said, the difficulties inherent in making such programmes.

Fox did have plans to make a show featuring a multimillionairess and 50 prospective grooms.