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A new Channel 4 series about virgins has been slammed by viewers who claim it left them feeling 'creeped out'.
The reality show follows 12 people aged between 22 and 30 who have never had sex before as they travel to a luxury retreat in Croatia to work with sex experts on overcoming their barriers around intimacy and hopefully move one step closer to losing their virginity.
Prior to the first episode airing last night (12 May), the Virgin Island participants shared their varying reasons for wanting to get involved.
Tom, 23, told Radio Times: "My love life was non-existent and playing into my self-hatred, so when one of my friends sent the application to me, with all of this in my mind, I leapt at the opportunity."
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Meanwhile, 23-year-old Pia signed up because she wanted to 'overcome the pain and anxiety' she felt when exploring sexual intercourse due to her 'struggles with vaginismus'.
And Ben, 30, 'hopes he can build his confidence' while on the show and find out 'why he struggles with intimacy'.
But, while viewers sympathised with those taking part, they were quick to slam Virgin Island as 'exploitative' and called the sex experts 'creepy'.
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The opening episode saw the participants thrown straight in at the deep end, exploring the topic of consent and watching the sex therapists moan as they pushed each other against the wall.
They also shared their hottest sexual fantasies with the group and received one-on-one therapy sessions exploring their relationship with touch, which led to one therapist kissing participant Zac on the neck.
Following the episode, one X user wrote: "I’m finding this very creepy, I wouldn’t like that and I’m not a virgin. The therapists are strange this is not right."
Another said: "This is so exploitative. I’m panicking myself and I’m watching it at home!! I can’t even imagine being one of them right now."
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And a third asked: "Anyone else a bit creeped out by this show?"
"This Virgin Island is breaking my heart and making me so sad, but it’s also feels a little exploitative, know they all have signed consent but still," a fourth agreed.
And a fifth commented: "These therapists are making me feel uncomfortable. A stranger touching you, I think that is an awkward situation."
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A teaser for further episodes of the show, which will air throughout May, has revealed more of what viewers can expect to see, including a female anatomy lesson for the boys with a live instructor and escalating intimacy between everyone on the island.
Tyla has contacted Channel 4 for comment.
The next episode of Virgin Island will air on 13 May at 9pm on Channel 4, followed by further episodes on 19 May, 20 May, 26 May and 27 May.
Topics: TV And Film, Reality TV, Channel 4, Sex and Relationships
Bec Oakes