Channel 4’s provocative new reality series Virgin Island has sparked a wave of strong reactions from viewers after its debut episode aired this week, with many branding the show “exploitative” and “uncomfortable to watch.”
The show centres on 12 adults, all virgins aged between 22 and 30, who are sent to a luxury Mediterranean island for two weeks to work with sex and intimacy experts.
The aim: to help them confront issues around self-esteem, body image and fear of intimacy.
But within minutes of the first episode, viewers were left stunned by the intensity of the exercises.
The cast began with vocal breathing techniques and consent discussions before watching two of the show’s therapists moan and push each other against a wall as a demonstration.
One-on-one sessions quickly followed. In one moment, cast member Zac was kissed on the neck by a therapist during a guided exercise about touch.
Participants were later asked to write down their “hottest sexual fantasies” and read them aloud to the group, before being offered further private sessions with the experts.
While some praised the show’s attempt to address deep-rooted personal issues, many others voiced concern over how vulnerable participants were being treated.
“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” one viewer wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Another added: “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”.
“Even people who are comfortable with their sexuality would find it difficult to reveal their sexual fantasies,” one viewer pointed out, while another admitted: “This Virgin Island is breaking my heart and making me so sad, but it’s also feels a little exploitative, know they all have signed consent but still.”
Others shared their support for the cast but questioned the show’s methods.
“Listen, my heart goes out to these [contestants] with the confidence they are lacking,” one person wrote. “But these lot putting it on them is not going to help when they leave this island.”
Channel 4 describes the series as a “warm, authentic and thought-provoking” experiment that explores sexuality and connection in a safe space. Future episodes will include a live anatomy lesson for the male contestants and increasing levels of intimacy among the group.
The cast includes people from all walks of life from a drama graduate and delivery driver to a dog groomer and the network says they’ve all consented to take part.
Virgin Island continues on Channel 4 with episodes airing on May 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27 at 9pm
