There’s no end to the wild and wacky reality shows on British TV – but watching Virgin Island last night makes me feel like we have gone too far.
The new Channel 4 series promises a ‘radical retreat’ with a ‘very hands-on’ experience for the 12 ‘adult virgins’ who are looking to take the next step in intimacy, all aged between 22 and 30.
It’s definitely a unique type of show in the realm of relationship-based reality TV.
In a world of Too Hot To Handle, Love Island and Love is Blind, where the contestants have few, if any, qualms about intimacy, Virgin Island is taking a completely different approach.
This isn’t a dating show.
It’s not about who can get with whom the fastest – whether emotionally or physically – it’s instead about working with the individual to tackle the insecurities blocking them from losing their virginity.
![Thomas Rocourt, Sexological Bodyworker, Emma In a groundbreaking new series, Virgin Island follows 12 adult virgins, as they travel to a luxury Mediterranean retreat to embark on a unique course in intimacy, to see if it can help them overcome the fears that are holding them back. The modern world feels more sexualised than ever. However, detailed research by University College London reveals that the truth, especially for young people, is more surprising. According to the research, one in eight 26-year-olds are still virgins, compared to one in twenty in previous generations[1]. Social media, pornography and loneliness... there are many possible causes, but the result is unprecedented levels of body image anxiety and a fear of sex and intimacy. This warm, authentic and thought-provoking series explores these issues as some of the world?s leading sexologists take the twelve courageous virgins on a unique, hands-on programme, to help them take their first steps towards sex and intimacy. But, with so many of the group terrified of even being touched, will any be able to fall in love, fall into bed? or even achieve their ultimate aim of losing their virginity? Virgin Island is produced by Double Act Productions for Channel 4 and Channel 4 streaming.](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/SEI_250442763-c649.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
I can see where the show is coming from. We live in an era where porn consumption is at an all-time high, there’s less societal judgment around expressing sexuality and the norm is for people to get intimate sooner rather than later.
It’s rare to see discussion around those who may be coming to it later in life.
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So bringing representation to the screen that helps people feel seen and less alone has an important place – something that those who are taking part in the show agree on.
Introducing themselves, the participants share their reasons for not having sex yet and some of their motivations for taking part.
Some struggled with body issues, others battled social anxiety, while a few of the contestants in their early 20s found Covid held them back.
Their stories were valid and understandable while their embarrassment, stress and desire to change things were palpable.
Handled sensitively, this could have been a good way to open up some interesting conversations.
But Virgin Island didn’t do that.
As our ‘absolutely terrified’ stars arrive on the island there’s no wasting time as they get to know each other and they are quickly put in front of the cameras to bare their innermost thoughts. It’s uneasy watching.
The group exercises – led by sex experts Celeste and Danielle – start tame enough with breathing exercises and a lesson on consent.
It starts to escalate when the reality contestants gather to watch Celeste and another expert, Andre, simulate an exercise where they rub against each other and moan.
A lot of them clearly feel uncomfortable by the display, and although the narrator implies their lack of experience is fuelling their discomfort, it still doesn’t sit right for the audience.
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The episode progresses from there, with one-to-one sessions exploring touch with ‘surrogate partners’ and there is a lot of lingering, breathy noises and moments of intense vulnerability.
It all culminates in the final group exercise, where the contestants write out their most intense sexual fantasies and read them to the group.
The episode ends on a final session with Zac, who we watch slowly touch his surrogate partner, and explore the edges of his boundaries before he declares ‘I want more – I would like to go all the way. I would like to have sex with you.’
It was tough not to skip sessions like this. It was deeply odd for me to witness these tender and vulnerable dynamics play out.
I have no doubt this kind of touch therapy can be extremely helpful forpeople hoping to work through their worries around intimacy. But does the entire nation really need to be watching on?
There’s long been a debate around how far is too far for reality TV and I wonder if Virgin Island finally answers that question. The show has an admirable goal: to spark conversation around late bloomers and show those who feel alone that they are not.
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But the tone doesn’t feel educational, it feels exploitative and is opening up those involved to sharing vulnerabilities to a world that is not always kind – especially on social media.
For the most part, these people are struggling with familiar problems around body image issues and low self-esteem. Not something we need to see unpacked on TV in this way.
Apart from the ethical issues, frankly it isn’t the greatest viewing experience.
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Which leaves me with one, unanswerable question – why has this show been made and who is actually benefiting from it?
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing Ross.Mccafferty@metro.co.uk.
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