Sex surrogate defends getting intimate with virgin on new Channel 4 show

It hasn't actually released onto our screens yet, but Channel 4's Virgin Island has already proved to be a controversial programme.

As a broadcaster, Channel 4 has a special remit to take risks and do the sorts of shows that other mainstream channels might not try, which over the years has proven to be quite successful.

There are going to be hits and misses in their attempt to push the envelope, but there are shows which have succeeded on Channel 4 that would never have been attempted by the likes of the BBC or ITV.

The latest offering is Virgin Island, which is taking the format of shows like Love Island and Temptation Island where a bunch of sexy people are put on an island and expected to hook up and placed a new spin on it.

As the title suggests, Virgin Island takes 12 people, who've never had sex before, to a luxury Mediterranean retreat to give them some experience with intimacy and delve into what might be holding them back when it comes to sex.

Dr Danielle Harel has defended Virgin Island, and it hasn't even been on TV yet (Channel 4)

Dr Danielle Harel and Celeste Hirschman are guiding the dozen through the show, during the course of which all of them achieve some kind of intimacy with a sex surrogate or a coach.

They explained to the Daily Mail that there is a 'triadic relationship' between the client, surrogate and separate therapist to tackle intimacy issues, including to deal with situations where the client may develop feelings.

In one part of the show, Dr Harel interacts with delivery driver Zac and tells him: "I want to play a fantasy with you."

She then kisses him as she communicates to him what she is doing, and he tells her it feels 'good.'

Zac said the experience had made him feel 'fuzzy' and he felt like he was making progress.

While the episode isn't out yet, you can see how it plays out below:

While there are some people criticising Virgin Island before an episode has been broadcast, Dr Harel has defended the show by saying that all boundaries were clear between everyone at all times during the show.

Dr Danielle Harel explained: "They felt like, 'Okay, this is a therapeutic modality that's going to help me grow', and that's how it was set up for them.

"So I don't feel there was even one moment that people got confused around."

Speaking to LADbible, the experts explained that almost one in five people aged between 16 and 30 are virgins, and that part of the reason they're doing Virgin Island is to help those on the show out of the vicious cycle of low self-esteem.

They're hoping the show will inspire people to have 'better sex.'

Virgin Island premieres tonight (12 May) on Channel 4 at 9pm.