Channel 4’s newest show, Virgin Island, has left viewers completely split.
The concept is simple; it features 12 adult virgins taken to a remote island where they work on intimacy issues that have contributed to their sexless status.
The TV show is surprisingly wholesome, except for one aspect of it – where the show’s ‘sex surrogates’ and ‘sexological bodyworkers’ who carry out X-Rated acts with the contestants.
Fans watching have been shocked by the first episode, in which the sex surrogates kiss the adult virgins on the neck, touch their arms, and are hinted in the previews of future episodes to go even further.
How have people reacted to the first episode of the show?
The series has seen a mixed reaction from fans, with some praising its portrayal of the stigma surrounding being an adult virgin.
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The Independent’s three-star review of the show called it both ‘awful’ and ‘genius’, appropriately encompassing the split amongst fans.
Showbiz influencer Shauna Corrigan posted a video to TikTok about the show, saying they ‘wish they could make [Virgin Island] up’, before saying they think the show is going to be ‘a forced to be reckoned with’.
The Guardian also gave the show a three-star review, saying that it is ‘surprisingly touching’, but that you will watch many cringeworthy moments ‘behind your fingers’.
This latter complaint is a very common one amongst viewers.
One tweeted about the show saying: “That was an absolutely excruciating watch - see you all tomorrow.”
Others were more negative, with one tweeting: “Don't know if I should watch episode 2 or ring the police...”
Another said: “Anyone else a bit creeped out by this show?”
Much of the criticism was aimed at the idea of the sexological bodyworkers and sexual surrogates.
What are the ‘sexological bodyworkers’ and ‘sex surrogates’ on Virgin Island?
The show employs two types of sexual specialists to help the virgins on the show with their intimacy.
Speaking to LADbible, one of the primary sexological bodyworkers, Celeste Hirschman, stated that these sexual specialists work ‘with getting more into connection and pleasure in their own body’ and to feel ‘more sense of embodied pleasure’, as well as reducing shame.
While clients working with sexological bodyworkers can be touched, but cannot touch back, sex surrogates take part in a two-way physical relationship.
Progressing slowly, surrogates can go as far as having full sex with their clients.
Speaking to LADbible about sexual surrogates, Celeste said: “They have a pretty structured protocol that they need to go through, that they have found is most helpful to people who are learning and may end up having a full sexual experience with a client.
“So there's a very, structured, systematic approach in that way.”
Virgin Island airs on Channel 4 Monday and Tuesday nights at 9pm.
Topics: Channel 4, Sex and Relationships, TV, TV and Film, Virgin Island
Michael Slavin