Man who appeared on controversial show Naked Education defends children seeing naked adults on show
A man who appeared in Channel 4's latest controversial documentary has defended his decision to take part in the show in which adults stood naked in front of teenagers.
Channel 4 is known for its provocative programming, including but not limited to the dating series Naked Attraction and a documentary about the struggles of being a well-endowed man on My Massive C**k.
The second episode was all about male bodies and penis sizes, but 920 people filed complaints to Ofcom about it after it aired this week.
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One man who appeared, Blackpool-based singer Liam Halewood, 36, said he decided to take part because ‘it’s nothing worse than what they [teens] see online’.
The Boy George tribute act defended the programme and those who got their kit off and said children already have access to nude media because of their mobile phones anyway.
"There's nothing perverse about the show, in my opinion.
"Any child with a mobile phone can pick it up and search and nudity is accessible to them already.
"It's nothing worse than what they see online - and that stuff isn't consensual by the parents, whereas this is.
"On social media, everything is filtered and edited and on this show, there is a real body."
He added: "If you don’t want to watch the show, there’s an off button.
"Have your opinion, but there's no room for hate.
"I think every show gets complaints. This show is just one of those shows that would always spark controversy.
"But it was all above board - the children and their parents had consented and it is educational.
"It's nothing they couldn't find on their phones on social media - it's not new to them!
"There's nothing perverse about what we have done - the real meaning behind the show is positivity.
"A lot of people complaining will have read headlines and not even watched the full show.
"They need to open their minds and see it for what it is - it's not just about nudity.
"It's a show about helping a generation.
"People are all entitled to their own opinions, but please keep an open mind.
"It’s a full show about helping a generation."
Each young person who appeared on the show gave consent as did their parents. Halewood said his motivation was to help teens see ‘real bodies’.
"My motivation was really simple, to show children not to look at social media and see perfection - because images are so filtered these days.
"I’m so happy with how I look now. I want to relay that it's ok to be yourself and be accepted for who you are.
"I feel confident in my body and I'm not an 'Instagrammable' person - it's good to show people you can just be yourself.
"I think the show will really help a child's confidence growing up to know we’re all different shapes and sizes.
"We all look and are born different, and what is the 'perfect' look anyway?"
Topics: TV and Film, Channel 4
Gregory Robinson