NSFW show that left viewers in shock after contestant took it too far returns tonight
Topics: Reality TV, TV And Film, Channel 4, Sex and Relationships
Jen Thomas
Featured Image Credit: Channel 4
Topics: Reality TV, TV And Film, Channel 4, Sex and Relationships
A risqué show which shocked many viewers last year is back for a second series, starting tonight on Channel 4.
Virgin Island made headlines last year for the taboo subject matter, but despite the controversy, the show has returned for a second season with a new batch of eager participants hoping to change their love lives for the better.
In case you missed it last year, the premise of the Channel 4 show is to help a group of people who, for one reason or another, haven't lost their virginity yet.
The group of people are aged between 22 and 30, and they have never had sex or experienced intimacy due to a variety of reasons, whether it's confidence, social anxiety, or a health condition.
Advert
After being whisked off to a luxury retreat on an island, they are teamed up with 'sex experts' to discuss and work on any fears or barriers they might have around intimacy.
The hope is that the show will enable them to lose their virginity, with the virgins undergoing somatic exercises, which are movements designed to make you focus on how your body feels.
They also undergo body-positivity workshops, communication training, and surrogate partner therapy.
Only one of the 12 participants lost their virginity in the first season.
According to The Mirror, the first season boasted 1.4 million viewers per show.
One of the new participants who will feature in the second season has referred to himself as a 'loner' who prefers to stay home gaming, and is hoping to boost his flirting and social skills with women.
Showrunners said the idea came about after the University College London carried out research which revealed that one in eight 26-year-olds were still virgins, compared to one in 20 in previous generations.
Participants in the new series have many varied issues, including body confidence problems, as well as health issues, with one woman featured who has a condition called vaginismus, which causes severe pain when being penetrated.
Others describe themselves as 'freezing' whenever the opportunity for initimacy has arisen, while others blame the Covid lockdowns for reducing their opportunities to meet people at university.
Last year, one participant named Zac somewhat crossed the line, which resulted in him being told to put his clothes back on by therapist Kat Slade, who he was having a session with and ultimately hoping to lose his virginity to.
Kat is one of the surrogate partner therapists, which means she is willing to have sex with the participants if needed and if both are comfortable with the idea of it.
The expert says she is 'dedicated to helping individuals move through physical and emotional barriers to achieve greater intimacy and sexual expression'.
Zac, a 28-year-old delivery driver told Kat: “I want to move forward… I want to touch you and be touched by you.”
He then said: “I came in here confident and excited, and I don’t know if you’re as used to that in this line of work and I don’t know if you find that intimidating.”
She told him to put his clothes on and instantly ended the session.