Channel 4 viewers outraged as Virgin Island blasted as ‘new low’ over ‘exploitative’ dating scenes: ‘EXCRUCIATING!’
Channel 4’s controversial new dating show Virgin Island has sparked immediate backlash following its first episode, with viewers branding it “excruciating” and “creepy”.
The series, which premiered on Monday night, follows 12 adults who have never had sex before as they travel to a retreat in Croatia.
Viewers quickly took to social media to express their disgust at the show’s content, with many finding it uncomfortable to watch. One X user even described it as a “new low” for television.
The programme uses a range of methods including guidance from sexologists and surrogate partner therapy to help participants overcome their fears around intimacy.
The show features sexologists Dr Danielle Harel and Celeste Hirschman, who co-founded the Somatica Institute, guiding the participants through a unique course.
According to her website, Dr Danielle is “passionately committed to helping people grow, heal, and fully embrace the richness of their erotic and emotional lives.”
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.She holds a PhD in Human Sexuality, while Celeste is trained in attachment psychology and has a Masters in Human Sexuality Studies.
The contributors, all aged between 22 and 30, are filmed at a luxury retreat as they attempt to overcome emotional hurdles around sex and intimacy.
The first episode featured several controversial moments, including a one-on-one session between delivery driver Zac, 28, and Dr Danielle Harel.
During the intimate session, Dr Danielle told Zac: “I’m just going to kiss you gently. I want you to see if you can like really take it in.”
Later in the episode, Zac made headlines by boldly requesting to have sex with his assigned surrogate partner Kat during their first session. “I would like to go all the way. I would like to have sex with you,” he told her.
Viewers flooded social media with criticism following the premiere with many taking issue with the broadcast of such intimate moments as well as the controversial and invasive dating methods.
One wrote on X: “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. This is awful.”
Another viewer commented: “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.”
“Anyone else a bit creeped out by this show?” asked one person while another was equally scathing: “Didn’t think TV would get any lower, then pops along #virginisland.”
“It feels wrong to be watching this,” admitted another viewer. “That was an absolutely excruciating watch – see you all tomorrow,” concluded one.
The cast includes a diverse range of participants, from 22-year-old care advisor Louise to 30-year-old civil servant Ben.
Many joined after friends sent them the application, sometimes as a joke.
Emma, 23, explained: “I was the only virgin amongst my friendship group, I felt outnumbered.”
Tom, 23, a drama student, admitted: “I always found myself to be a freak because I struggled to lose my virginity whilst others around me continued to pop their cherries.”
According to a study by University College London, approximately one in eight 26-year-olds are still virgins, a significant increase from one in 20 in previous generations.