Latest news with #CelesteHirschman
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Controversial Channel 4 show that left viewers 'shocked and uncomfortable' is set to 'return for second series'
It's the series that gripped the nation after Channel 4 sent 12 virgins, aged between 22 and 30, to an island off Croatia in a bid to have sexual relationships. With expert coaching from therapists and intimacy experts, the concluding episode last week saw Dave successfully lose his virginity in dramatic scenes that left fans floored. And now The Sun has revealed that the series will be returning for a second season. According to the publication Channel 4 have already begun casting for a new set of virgins ready to work towards sexual intimacy with the help of sexperts Danielle Harel and Celeste Hirschman. The show has since become the channel's most streamed new format since 2023 and is most popular with the target 16-34 age group. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The show saw 12 virgins, aged between 22 and 30, being sent to an island off Croatia in a bid to have sexual relationships with the help of sexperts A source told the publication: 'Virgin Island had a big buzz about it as something which really pushed the boundaries. 'In a market filled with somewhat predictable dating shows, it broke the mould and still had that Channel 4 experimental heart to it. 'So everyone was thrilled when the ratings seemed to back the broadcaster's punt. It felt like a no-brainer to consider a second series.' Mailonline have contacted Channel 4 representatives for comment. During the final episode of the six part series, accountant Dave, 24, could be heard moaning and groaning as he finally lost his virginity with surrogate partner Kat Slade. However, fans of the controversial programme branded the scenes 'uncomfortable' as they struggled to watch the moment Dave finally lost his virginity. After their session together, Kat explained: 'I feel good about being the person with him at that important moment.' In the end, Dave was the only contestant on Virgin Island who had sex, and many noted that it was still bewildering to see such an intimate moment play out on screen. Those watching at home were delighted for Dave, but were surprised to see such an intimate moment play out on screen. Sharing their thoughts, viewers 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..' The therapists on the show have since defended their work to MailOnline after it drew widespread controversy online and explained that the show gives viewers a realistic idea of what intimacy is. During the show, all of the 12 virgins achieve a level of intimacy with either a surrogate or a coach during the course, but only one of the virgins actually goes all the way with a surrogate partner. Sexologist Celeste Hirschman describes the relationship between the client and surrogate as 'authentic' and shared how the dynamic can reflect what would happen in a 'real relationships', 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.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Future of Channel 4's Virgin Island revealed after Ofcom hit with complaints over controversial show
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IT'S the controversial Channel 4 show that invited 12 people to pop their cherries on telly. And now I can reveal that Virgin Island is ready for its second coming. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 2 I can reveal that Virgin Island is ready for its second coming Credit: Channel 4 2 The Channel 4 relationship show invited 12 virgins to pop their cherries on telly Credit: Channel 4 The broadcaster has begun casting for a new flock of innocents who want the help of show sexperts Danielle Harel and Celeste Hirschman. Virgin Island followed the journey of a dozen young people as they learnt the art of intimacy on a Croatian beach. Working with the therapists and a team of 'surrogate partners' and 'sexological bodyworkers' the aim was to help them overcome their fears and insecurities when it comes to intimacy and sex. But the showraised eyebrows, with controversial scenes including one where Danielle snogged one of the participants, delivery driver Zac. READ MORE TV NEWS PARTY QUEEN Reality TV legend Gemma Collins voted celeb Brits most want to party with It proved to be a big hit with viewers, though, and became Channel 4's most streamed new format since 2023 — especially with that important 16-34 age group. For that younger age group, it was the biggest launch for six years since Michael Jackson factual piece, Leaving Neverland. A source said: 'Virgin Island had a big buzz about it as something which really pushed the boundaries. 'In a market filled with somewhat predictable dating shows, it broke the mould and still had that Channel 4 experimental heart to it. So everyone was thrilled when the ratings seemed to back the broadcaster's punt. 'It felt like a no-brainer to consider a second series.' The more important news, though, is the programme managed to fulfil its central aim and helped a few of the not-so-dirty dozen to shed their V plates. Virgin Island viewers outraged over 'uncomfortable' moment with sex expert as they brand show 'creepy' I told last week how accountant Dave went all the way with surrogate Kat Slade, with a handful following his lead once back in the UK. Let's hope their success inspires another brave lot to come forward for round two.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Future of Channel 4's Virgin Island revealed after Ofcom hit with complaints over controversial show
IT'S the controversial Channel 4 show that invited 12 people to pop their cherries on telly. And now I can reveal that Virgin Island is ready for its second coming. 2 The broadcaster has begun casting for a new flock of innocents who want the help of show sexperts Danielle Harel and Celeste Hirschman. Virgin Island followed the journey of a dozen young people as they learnt the art of intimacy on a Croatian beach. Working with the therapists and a team of 'surrogate partners' and 'sexological bodyworkers' the aim was to help them overcome their fears and insecurities when it comes to intimacy and sex. But the showraised eyebrows, with controversial scenes including one where Danielle snogged one of the participants, delivery driver Zac. It proved to be a big hit with viewers, though, and became Channel 4's most streamed new format since 2023 — especially with that important 16-34 age group. For that younger age group, it was the biggest launch for six years since Michael Jackson factual piece, Leaving Neverland. A source said: 'Virgin Island had a big buzz about it as something which really pushed the boundaries. 'In a market filled with somewhat predictable dating shows, it broke the mould and still had that Channel 4 experimental heart to it. So everyone was thrilled when the ratings seemed to back the broadcaster's punt. 'It felt like a no-brainer to consider a second series.' The more important news, though, is the programme managed to fulfil its central aim and helped a few of the not-so-dirty dozen to shed their V plates. I told last week how accountant Dave went all the way with surrogate Kat Slade, with a handful following his lead once back in the UK. Let's hope their success inspires another brave lot to come forward for round two.
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Virgin Island viewers brand finale ‘most uncomfortable viewing ever' – but beg for second series
VIEWERS of Virgin Island branded the finale as the 'most uncomfortable viewing ever.' However, many people who watched the hit Channel 4 show still begged for a second series. 5 5 5 Virgin Island followed a group of young adults as they attempted to embark on an 'erotic awakening'. 12 brave contestants were housed at a luxurious Mediterranean retreat to try and overcome anxiety over intimacy. The group features young men and women in their twenties as they discuss why they've struggled to reach the important milestone in life - having sex. Viewers tuned into the final instalment of the first series of the show after following the journey. Dr Danielle Harel and Celeste Hirschman are the sex experts who were on hand to lead the process with a dedicated team. Kat Slade and Andre Lazarus were also available as trained surrogate partners who helped the group tackle issues around intimacy. One 24-year-old contestant named Dave actually lost his virginity to a somatic practitioner, Kat, in the finale. Viewers were gobsmacked as he was heard moaning and groaning as he was given guidance through his first sexual experience. As the first series of the show came to an end, droves of viewers flocked to social media as they slammed the series as "uncomfortable." But despite this, many viewers practically begged the commercial network to give the green light to a second series. Moment virgin has sex on Virgin Island with surrogate partner Writing on X - formerly known as Twitter - one fan wrote: "Possibly the strangest thing I've ever watched, maybe with the exception of Dogging Tales." While a second commented: "Virgin Island has been the most uncomfortable thing I've ever watched. I hope there is a season two." "Are we all signing up for the next series!, exclaimed a third user on the platform. As someone else fumed: "#VirginIsland probably the most uncomfortable viewing. Only lasted 20mins and had to turn it off, felt like I was watching a love cult in action." And a fifth viewer added: "If there isn't an another series of this I will be extremely disappointed. "I thought it would just be a laugh but actually it's been weirdly interesting." 5 5
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
My brutal experience on Virgin Island left me so crushed there are parts I barely remember - here's why my lowest point never made it to screens
A brutal experience on Virgin Island left one participant so crushed he could barely remember it. Monday's instalment of the Channel 4 show saw the group of 12 virgins engage in a variety of tasks aimed at helping them build confidence and eventually building themselves up to being open to intimacy. However, one of the activities, which involved the stars pairing off to demonstrate flirting and touching one another, left Ben Harris, a civil servant from Kent, stranded. The group were all together in the villa as Ben sat at a table with one of the show's coaches, before everyone was asked 'Does anyone want to try it with Ben?' What resulted was a sea of awkward faces and total silent as the group refused to volunteer to flirt with Ben. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. One of the activities, which involved the stars pairing off to demonstrate flirting and touching one another left Ben, a civil servant from Kent, stranded In the end, sexologist Celeste Hirschman kindly stepped up and was Ben's partner for the session, but the rejection he felt from the others still hit hard. Ben opened up in his Substack about the experience and admitted that although Celeste had offered her assistance, 'by this point I was so crushed by what I felt was another in a long line of rejections that I barely even remember anything of our 'date''. The situation left Ben so disheartened that he struggled for the remainder of the activity. He said: 'Once I sat back down, I felt so dejected that I couldn't even pay attention to the rest of the session, and eventually had to step out for a bit.' On reflection, Ben did acknowledge that the rest of the group's actions weren't 'personal' towards him and he noted that many of them had already been through the painstakingly awkward task. Instead, he explained how he realised the rejection he felt was linked to his experiences of bullying and dating struggles. Still, the session hit Ben particularly hard and he said: 'I undoubtedly reached my lowest point in the aftermath of that workshop.' Afterwards, he had a session with Abby Sheneman, a clinic therapist on the show, which didn't reach TV screens but he worked through the negative assumptions he had built up about himself, describing the session as a 'breakthrough'. Ben recently shared heartbreaking reasons why he thinks he's still a virgin, and revealed that the first person he told about appearing on the show was his mum - despite never discussing his anxiety-riddled sex life with her before. Aston Villa fan Ben, who has dated more than 40 women, and has even had two proper girlfriends, also revealed that - spoiler alert - he's still very much a virgin now, despite the best efforts of the show's sex coaches. Revealing his mother's reaction at the news that her son might lose his virginity in front of an audience of millions of viewers, he said: '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.' Ben, who describes himself as 'an average-looking, relatively normal guy', adds that she was 'nonetheless supportive' and says he only shared his appearance on the show with a select few others before jetting off to the Adriatic. Describing in the lengthy post how he's avoided sex in the past because of deep anxiety and only had his 'first proper snog' two years ago, he said that while he came close to full intercourse with his most recent girlfriend back in 2023, he stalled at the last minute. He said: 'My many years of inexperience had built up to such a level that I flat-out turned down the opportunity to have sex with her on multiple occasions out of fear.' Fans who watched the sad moment on Monday's episode were left with their heads in their hands as they shared that they felt sorry for him. They wrote: '"Who wants to try with Ben"……'; 'If I were Ben I'd just go home after that. Then again if I were Ben I wouldn't be on that island in the first place,'; 'Why are they being so horrible to Ben,'; 'Ben got the 'No lighty No Likey' treatment,'; 'Oh no none of them wanted to go with ben. that was awful.' Virgin Island airs on Channel 4 at 9pm on Mondays and Tuesdays.
