Virgin Island star reveals mum's reaction to him going on controversial 'sex therapy' show

One of the stars of Virgin Island has revealed his mum’s reaction to finding out that he was going on the controversial show.

It’s fair to say Channel 4’s latest series has caused an absolute stir as 12 adult virgins go to a retreat for a unique ‘hands-on’ course in intimacy.

They work with sex experts and coaches as therapy sessions and workshops help them overcome the fears and worries holding them back.

And while it’s been leaving plenty of viewers shocked, many of the participants have spoken out in defence of Virgin Island.

In particular, Ben has been sharing more about his experience on the show as he says he doesn’t ‘regret taking part at all’.

The now-31-year-old labels himself as a ‘complete sex rookie’, and decided he ‘needed to do something drastic’ to combat his ‘deep fear’ surrounding sex.

Writing a post about going on Virgin Island for his Substack, Ben recalls being bullied in school and believing he is ‘physically repulsive to women’.

“Relationships were for other people, I subconsciously told myself,” he explains. “It left me feeling somewhat sad and isolated, like an alien or an artificial human who just couldn’t quite grasp the intricacies of love.”

He says he was ‘absolutely’ scared about opening himself up to the world as he hadn’t been very open about his virginity with most of his friends and family, ‘let alone random strangers’. But Ben decided it was ‘worth the risk’ and wanted it to be the ‘wild thing’ he throws himself into in his ‘fairly boring life’.

Ben says it was a 'shock' for his mum (Channel 4)

So, not long after his initial informal interview with the show’s casting director, the first person he told was his mum.

“This came as quite of a shock to her, and she openly admitted that she never thought someone like me would sign up for such an experience,” he writes.

“She was nonetheless supportive, as were the select few other friends and family I told as my participation in this endeavour went from a mere possibility to a daunting reality.”

Ben also describes the ‘selection process’ for Virgin Island as ‘incredibly thorough’.

Ben doesn't regret going on the show 'at all' (Channel 4)

He adds: “I cannot fault Channel 4 or anyone else involved with the production of this programme in the way this sensitive matter was handled.”

Regarding the higher rate of virgins in their 20s and the impact of the show, Ben says: “If this show helps to clear even a fraction of the stigma associated with being an adult virgin, it’ll have all been worth it. Even if it doesn’t, I know I got a lot out of it, and I don’t regret taking part at all.”

Virgin Island continues on Channel 4 on Monday 19 May at 9pm.