TV's race to the bottom: How sexual humiliation and explicit romping are taking over telly as desperate show bosses resort to extreme measures to combat dwindling ratings

Daily Mail​

4 hours ago

Mainstream terrestrial telly in the UK has gotten a whole lot steamier in recent years.
The sea change arguably started with the launch of ITV2 reality dating show Love Island in 2015 - with its open romping and far too closely mic'd-up smooches.
Since then, a range of whole other racy Islands have spawned - Temptation Island (for testing established couples) and Virgin Island (for training newbies among us).
Other risque mega-houses have hit screens too, with Open House (a non-monogamy experiment) and Too Hot To Handle (getting handsy? No cash prize for you).
Each new programme seems to push the boundaries of what is tasteful to monetise.
It is not just frothy summer flings on the box now - but visceral breakdowns, the inner workings of tangled long-term relationships and vulnerable confessions of sexual trauma.
Many reality TV fans have lapped it up as the goal posts keep moving, into territory we might previously have considered deeply private.
But this ferocious fascination with all things titillating is catnip to terrestrial TV bosses.
Trying to do more and more to attract viewers, who are instead increasingly turning to a rapidly proliferating array of streaming platforms, here, they have struck gold.
So, after years of a cultural push for sensitive attention to mental health, it seems the big wigs no longer care - to bring home the bacon, they are willing to quite literally play dirty.
Read below MailOnline's account of some of the craziest moments from recent racy reality TV - and see what you think.
Temptation Island
As the ratings of UK celebrity spin-off Love Island All Stars tanked back in February, a different, Spanish series started to steal the reality TV dating limelight.
La Isla de las Tentaciones, which translates as Temptation Island, found its way to UK screens, making headlines with its spicy scenes and jaw-dropping showdowns.
The show, which been aired in Spain for seven series, sees long-term couples test their relationships.
They are separated across two villas in the Dominican Republic and given the chance to cheat on their partners - to test which pairing is truly made to last.
Contestants are only allowed to drink a limited amount of alcohol and they reportedly are not permitted to get completely naked.
The last episode of Love Island All Stars, which started this year, received the lowest ever ratings for a Love Island finale - with only one million tuning in live.
Including viewing figures from streaming platform ITVX, 1.3million fans watched the final, in line with last year's final of the winter series.
It was an incredible low compared to series four and five - won by Dani Dyer and Jack Fincham, and Amber Gill and Greg O'Shea respectively - which more than 3million fans watched in each case.
Meanwhile, brief clips posted on social media of the intense drama on Temptation Island quickly whipped up a rather larger storm earlier this year.
One 38-second video of its antics attracted more than 120million views.
But you have to wonder whether its popularity comes from a sort of strange fascination - as it seems to trade on real distress.
The show first went viral on X after José Carlos Montoya was made to stand helplessly in front of a screen while he watched his girlfriend, Anita Williams, cheat on him with another contestant.
He buckled to his knees and shouted at the screen as the video continued to play.
The scenes prompted him to run across the shoreline and towards the villa while a presenter chaotically called after him.
She exclaimed: 'Por favor Montoya, por favor!' which in English means: 'Please Montoya, please!'
The footage soon accumulated 93.7million views and thousands of likes and reposts on X - and saw the phrase 'Montoya por favor' shoot to online fame.
Shortly after, viewers witnessed an outrageous revenge twist which saw Anita sob as she watched José cheat on her in graphic footage.
In the clip, Anita stood with tears streaming down her face while her fellow contestants watched on open-mouthed.
Anita stood with her back turned away from the video, glancing over occasionally, as her makeup ran all over her face.
The clip, posted on X, attracted 14.8million views and thousands of likes and reposts, while hundreds swarmed to the comments to discuss the chaos.
It is a show that makes a game of fidelity, intimacy and trust - and it seems producers have played their hand well.
Channel 4 has long been known as one of the most experimental channels out there when it comes to programmes on the saucier side.
Naked Attraction, which launched in 2016, saw rather a lot of paperwork hit Ofcom's desks, as contestants decided who to date solely based on their birthday suit.
And now Open House: The Great Sex Experiment, which started in 2022, is into its third series of couples trying out opening up their monogamous relationships.
A particularly shocking recent moment saw couple Tom and Lauren, from Devon, hit a roadblock in their own experiment with spicing things up in the bedroom.
Tom vomited on last week's episode after non-monogamy expert Effy Blue told the pair they need to have sexual experiences with other people without each other.
Effy tells viewers: 'Today is about challenging Tom to be independent. I'm curious to see how that will affect the dynamics they have between them.
'Lauren needs to be a partner to Tom, not a caretaker.'
As they return to their room, Lauren tells Tom: 'Don't be nervous. You absolutely got this.'
Lauren tells the camera: 'It was my idea. It was my idea from the start. Yes, it's throwing me and Tom in the deep end...
'But to be able to have him to have the confidence that we can go off, have our fun, come back to each other at the end of the night and it's absolutely insane.'
The voiceover then says: 'But the thought of flying solo entirely naked isn't sitting well with Tom.'
Tom is clearly troubled by the thought of the experiment - as he can then be heard being sick in the toilet, with Lauren soon running to him with some water.
'This is going to be horrible,' Tom confesses.
Lauren replies: 'I just want to cuddle you.'
Tom says: 'I feel absolutely petrified and sick.'
While hugging him from behind, Lauren tells him: 'All that anyone can ask is that you just try, okay?'
Earlier this month, the pair took to Instagram to open up about their experience on the show with a video of them dancing along to Stormzy's tune Own It.
They captioned the post: 'Thank you everyone for all your support so far, our next episode is out next Friday 10pm.
'Remember please be kind, we went on there to be open & honest and are both very happy together, remember they cut so much out for the drama xxx #openhouse #couple #reel #love #happy #realitytv.'
Many rushed to the comments section to share the love: 'Definitely my favorite couple so far! So brave and yeah, good for you!';
'You were both brilliant tonight, well done.';
'I watched the second episode of yours last night and I haven't ever sat and clapped for a stranger so much in my life!
'Hands down my favourite couple yet and the best ending for you guys!'
On Monday, they shared a happy selfie and told fans: 'Overwhelmed with all the messages & support guys, thank you everyone.
'We are so glad that Tom's story resonated with so many of you, still smiling from that last episode on.'
The pair have confidently owned the vulnerable moment and it seems to have struck a chord with viewers.
But some might be wondering if it was right to push someone so much that they are physically ill - simply for fans' viewing pleasure.
Virgin Island
Virgin Island is the latest addition to the world of risque reality TV - and it has taken the small screen by storm this year.
The groundbreaking Channel 4 show hit screens in May and saw 12 adults embark on a journey of self discovery and openness to intimacy.
Lead by sexologists Dr Danielle Harel and Celeste Hirschman and their team, they guided the group of virgins, aged between 22 and 30, on a unique course.
The six-part series quickly became one of the most talked-about programmes of the year and broke records for the broadcaster.
Packed with shocking scenes and emotional moments, the series was the biggest streaming hit across scripted and unscripted shows this year for Channel 4.
During its first 28 days, Virgin Island's episode one became the most watched show for those aged 16-34 on Channel 4 in 2025.
The controversial show attracted a whopping 1.4million viewers per episode on average.
Now, it has been confirmed Virgin Island has been recommissioned for a second series.
TV boss Jonah Weston said: 'It's been such a thrill to watch this show catch fire.
'This is a live issue among young people, and from the brave cast to our wonderful experts, I don't think I've ever worked on anything quite so bold, warm and well-intentioned.
'Watch out for season two which will be bigger and bolder than ever!'
During the show, all of the 12 virgins achieve a level of intimacy with either a surrogate or a coach during the course - but in the end, Dave was the only contestant on Virgin Island who actually had sex
But it is possible not every viewer will be happy with that - after one moment in the finale caused particular controversy.
It saw one of the show's contestants finally go all the way in a 'marathon session'.
In dramatic scenes, accountant Dave, 24, could be heard moaning and groaning as he finally lost his virginity with surrogate partner Kat.
But viewers of the controversial programme branded the scenes 'uncomfortable' as they struggled to watch the moment Dave finally lost his virginity.
Kat, who was seen guiding Dave through his first sexual experience during an intimate session in the island's zen den, said afterwards: 'I feel good about being the person with him at that important moment.'
During the show, all of the 12 virgins achieve a level of intimacy with either a surrogate or a coach during the course - but in the end, Dave was the only contestant on Virgin Island who actually had sex.
Many viewers, while delighted for him, noted on social media it was bewildering to see such an intimate moment play out on screen.
Sharing their thoughts on X, they said: 'Probably the most uncomfortable viewing. Only lasted 20mins and had to turn it off, felt like I was watching a love cult in action.
'Virgin Island is a hideous concept for a TV show. Why would you agree to go on it, to get exploited, even if you're getting paid!?';
'Losing your virginity should be a special thing, something you remember all your life, this is just degrading these virgins and something they'll want to forget and regret in years to come...';
'Virgin Island isn't actually that bad but I still can't get my head around an actual sex surrogate that then ultimately has sex with the client. It baffles me.';
'Well guys, that's the end of #VirginIsland, it's been... weird';
'That Virgin Island is one disgustingly difficult watch man Jesus Christ';
'Is anyone else watching Virgin Island on Channel 4? I find it so bizarre everyone is so vulnerable and it's just a bit strange..'
But Dave himself has encouraged people to apply: 'I had an amazing time on the Island, and I'm truly thankful for the time I spent there.
Anyone who has watched the show will have seen how much my confidence grew over the course of the series.
'And I can't speak highly enough of the experts and production team for making us feel so safe and secure.
'I was lucky enough to achieve the ultimate aim of the series whilst on the Island and I can't wait to see the next group of participants go on the same journey.
'I would wholly encourage anyone with enough courage and resilience to apply. It's completely changed my life.'
It has now also emerged that six months after filming wrapped, Dave has a girlfriend, after gaining the self-esteem to join a dating app.
He has previously said: 'I never would have been able to talk to her without this show.'
The therapists on the show have since defended their work to MailOnline after it drew widespread controversy online, explaining the show gives viewers a realistic idea of what intimacy is.
Sexologist Celeste Hirschman describes the relationship between the client and surrogate as 'authentic'.
She said the dynamic can reflect what would happen in a 'real relationship', including the possibility of 'performance problems' from either the surrogate or client.
Celeste continued: 'It is really an authentic relationship.
'So, one thing that can happen in a relationship is that someone has performance problems, and so they would just communicate about it and say, "Oh, you know, something's not working here. Let's take a break. Let's try again".'
The sexologist added: 'That authenticity is what actually prepares people to have real relationships out in the world.
'So, it's not just like trying to force something. And a lot of times, surrogates do work with people who have pretty significant dysfunctions and so they need to work with those kinds of things, both in their clients and if it comes up in themselves as well.'
There's a 'triadic relationship' between the client, surrogate and a separate therapist to help tackle issues, including if the client develops feelings.
But for many viewers, there remains an unshakeable feeling that showing such intimate moments on screen - and engaging in such an unusual therapeutic relationship - does not quite sit right.
Love Island
The latest season of the now iconic ITV2 reality dating show has been widely hailed as one of the most dramatic in recent memory.
It is thanks to a whole host of brand new stunts from show bosses, aimed at encouraging as many antics as possible in the villa.
The usual play of Love Island is to couple up with one other person from the opposite sex.
But bosses are hoping for potential throuples in the villa this year as they 'tear up the rule book' and install new furniture to help encourage bonking and create drama.
One of the new additions includes a trampoline bed that sits across the swimming pool and one Love Island exec has insisted it has been tested for up to four people.
And the secret hideaway - which includes a bed and hot tub - is now open 24 hours a day for those that are not coupled up.
Speaking ahead of the ten-year anniversary series of the hit reality show, Creative Director of the show Mike Spencer-Hayler, told the Mail: 'There's a new trampoline bed, that would be good for throuples.
'It can take the weight of four, we've checked. It's all about keeping the show fresh and exciting. And that's what we've got.'
ITV bosses have attempted to give the new villa and series a makeover to avoid the show being boring - and compete in the increasingly saturated reality telly landscape.
The TV executive also revealed ITV will broadcast intimate activity if and when it happens and that they have had to rethink things this year, after viewing figures dwindled following years of tame series.
'The hideaway is open for business for 24 hours all the time, as long as they don't come with their partner', Mike said.
'We told the islanders last year they could but they kept forgetting they could come in here.
'We've seen the same things time and time again now and it's boring. We've got to move on.'
'It felt static and the show needs to feel fresh. People that come in all do the same thing because they've all watched it time and time again. It became too formatted.
'We've got to push forward. All the twist and turns, we're going to give it all we've got to make it an exciting series.'
In a bid to create further drama they have also shortened the walls of the iconic terrace, which is often used as a secret spot for bombshells looking to kiss another contestant in more private surroundings.
But Mike confirmed the days of hiding away from prying eyes is all over.
'The terrace walls are shorter and more see through now too. So you can see more up there. We just felt like it was too covered up. Extra gossip.'
Love Island fans hailed Thursday's episode of the show 'TV gold' as the 'messiest series yet' saw a game send the villa into meltdown
It seems to be working - from multiple talks of threesomes, to contestants more erratic and ruthless than ever, the current series has been carnage so far.
Love Island fans hailed Thursday's episode of the show 'TV gold' as the 'messiest series yet' saw a game send the villa into meltdown.
Viewers saw tensions reach boiling point when a challenge, Look Who's Talking, saw things go from bad to worse - with host Maya Jama saying it was 'madness'.
The Islanders each took a card and read out the quote then collectively decided which of their fellow Islanders said it.
Drama was brewing after Harry and Yasmin headed for a kiss in the Hideaway, meaning his partner Helena was already fuming.
During the game, it was revealed the duo had actually shared three secret smooches when a quote was read out from Harry.
As Harry's lies unravelled, Megan exclaimed: 'You owe it to Helena to be f*****g honest, you p***k!'
Sharing their thoughts on X, fans wrote: 'This game was [fire emoji]'; 'Love Island UK is still superior this season has been great'; 'THIS EPISODE IS SO GOOD please';
'This might be the best season of Love Island I've ever seen'; '1000/10 RATED EPISODE';
'This UK season is so good omg it's been mess every episode'; 'THIS IS PEAK TELEVISION WHOEVER HIRED THIS CAST NEEDS A RAISE I ACTUALLY CANT.'
Fans seem to be loving it this year - but with the behemoth that is Love Island showing no signs of stopping any time soon, one has to wonder how far bosses, in coming years, will be prepared to go.
Perhaps the more you feed the beast, the more brutal it gets.
Too Hot To Handle
Too Hot To Handle first hit UK screens in 2020, with ten singletons heading to an island villa for four weeks. Sound familiar?
But there was a twist - they are forbidden from kissing, sexual contact or masturbation and money is taken out of the £100,000 eventual cash prize pot any time a rule is broken.
The series was a hit and has since gone international, with a Spanish-language edition launching on Netflix last week.
It has already been full of drama, steamy moments and fiery arguments.
It has already been full of drama, steamy moments and fiery arguments
And like its fellow Iberian reality dating programme, Temptation Island, it has quickly attracted a wider viewership than just those in its native country.
One particularly intense moment saw a male contestant on the verge of a breakdown after his partner told him her attention had strayed to someone else in the house.
Fitness model Enri Sánchez and influencer Saray Marín coupled up near the start of the series and found they got on well, risking it all a couple of times to steal a kiss or cuddle.
But when new man Cristhian joins the show, he chooses Saray to go on a date with him - where they share a passionate kiss.
She soon approaches Enri for a chat about how her feelings have changed after it - and it quickly becomes too much for him.
When the pair sit down on a sofa, Enri says, 'My heart's beating so fast', to which Saray replies gently: 'Calm down, relax.'
He looks visibly nervous, unable to meet her eyes and with closed off body language, as she opens: 'Right, this is hard, huh?'
She puts a tentative hand on his arm as he replies, 'Just be truthful, be honest with me', which she agrees she is going to do.
In a brutal confession, which leaves Enri shocked, Saray explains: 'We spent the whole day together. I was laughing the whole time. We had an amazing time.
'He kissed me. And I kissed him.'
Enri asks if she likes Cristhian and she says she does, before he responds uncertainly: 'I don't know. It's not like you cheated because we don't have that kind of thing.'
She replies firmly, 'That's right, we don't', as he continues: 'But this is complicated. I feel really betrayed, to be honest.'
Saray is taken aback by this, going from stroking his arm to comfort him, to saying incredulously: 'Seriously?'
In a confessional shot, Enri admits: 'I feel like a complete loser. I've been talking her up all afternoon and now I find this out.'
As the camera flips back to their conversation, Saray confesses: 'I can understand that you feel bad - but not betrayed.'
He soon fires back: 'Listen, I swear, I've been having feelings for you. You're my support system here.'
Enri asks if she likes Cristhian and she says she does, before he responds: 'I don't know. It's not like you cheated because we don't have that kind of thing'
But nothing can prepare him for her real bombshell admission about Cristhian: 'There's something else. We decided that we want to share a bed tonight.'
This is too much for Enri, who explains in a confessional: 'Look, right now, I want to leave.
'If Saray ends up sharing a bed with Cristhian, I don't think we can fix this.'
In the moment, he says: 'I don't feel like crying but I feel weird.'
It seems some tears do soon start to fall though, as he wipes his eyes and turns away from Saray, who looks sombre to say the least.
Some reality TV viewers, used to sadness and showdowns, might think this moment is tame in comparison to the kind of drama they are used to seeing.
But even this desensitisation should perhaps make us re-examine our viewing habits.
Do we really appreciate that what we are watching is real vulnerability and distress? Do we actually feel anything about that? And how far are we willing to let it go?