Channel 4 on the hunt for adult virgins in Bolton
The broadcaster is looking for people to join the line-up for the second series of a controversial new show, Virgin Island.
The programme follows 12 adult virgins as they travel to a luxury Mediterranean retreat to embark on a unique course in intimacy, to see if it can help them overcome the fears that are holding them back.
According to Cambridge University research, one in eight 26-year-olds are still virgins, compared to one in twenty in previous generations.
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A channel 4 spokesperson added: "Social media, pornography and loneliness. There are many possible causes, but the result is unprecedented levels of body image anxiety and a fear of sex and intimacy."
A promo for C4 reads: "Are you a virgin and do you need help and guidance with your fears and insecurities around intimacy and sex?"
Virgin Island is produced by Double Act Productions for Channel 4 and Channel 4 streaming.
It premiered on May 12 last year with a next season already in the works.
The C4 spokesperson explained: "This warm, authentic and thought-provoking series explores these issues as some of the world's leading sexologists take the twelve courageous virgins on a unique, hands-on programme, to help them take their first steps towards sex and intimacy.
"But, with so many of the group terrified of even being touched, will any be able to fall in love, fall into bed… or even achieve their ultimate aim of losing their virginity?"
In the last season, only one of the 12 contestants had sex in the end.
The show has 'surrogate partners' assigned to contestants in an effort to make contestants feel more comfortable with intimacy.
While the show was watched by many, others branded it as 'exploitative' and 'uncomfortable to watch".
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