Future of C4’s shock show Virgin Island confirmed as celebrity sexperts join to help 12 newcomers pop cherries on TV
CONTROVERSIAL new dating show Virgin Island is finally ready to launch with two celebrity sexperts on board.
The Channel 4 series, which will show 12 virgins popping their cherries, had a setback when bosses could not find enough brave celibates.
It will be led by Celeste Hirschman and Danielle Harel, who run the Somatic Institute in San Francisco, which featured on Gwyneth Paltrow's Netflix show Sex, Love And Goop.
As part of their “orgasmic coaching”, the women promote what they call “c*ckfidence” for men.
Previously titled The Intimacy Retreat, the show will officially be announced later this week at industry event MIPCOM in Cannes, France.
During the six-part series, the 12 virgins, who experience intimacy anxiety, will descend on the luxury island resort to follow a programme of treatments.
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“Sexological bodyworkers” called Aisha, Thomas and Joy will step in to do the deed with the participants while “surrogate partners” Kat and Andre will help teach them how to connect.
Rob Davis of production firm Double Act said: “Virgin Island might seem like the most sensationalist reality TV show yet.
“But instead it’s a heart-warming, life-changing and refreshingly authentic format.”
Bosses are already selling the format worldwide.
Emmanuelle Namiech from Passion Distribution said: “Virgin Island is an exciting new, taboo- shaking, relatable social experiment.”
I’m not sure when losing your V-plates on telly became relatable.
Fresh-faced Hassell
AS the hunky lead of Disney+ romp Rivals, Alex Hassell is all grown-up with rugged stubble and a twinkle in his eye.
His Rupert Campbell-Black leaves a trail of devastation - and clothing - across Rutshire as he beds a string of women.
But my exclusive pictures show the actor when he was far more fresh-faced.
Pouting into the camera, these unearthed snaps are from one of Alex’s early modelling jobs in the Nineties when he posed up on a hair styling shoot.
The lad pulls off a floppy quiff, ginger dye job, a spiked-up do and a style beloved by the decade’s boybands - curtains.
With these looks, there’s no wonder he landed the role as Jilly Cooper's lothario-in-chief.
Ali's big win not half bad
BIG Brother winner Ali Bromley has made history by winning the reality TV show – and voting stats show she trounced her competition.
The forensic psychologist won 51.9 per cent of the vote against FIVE other housemates to bag the £90,000 prize.
At 38, Ali is the oldest ever female to win the show and the first ever lesbian.
Her victory on Friday night comes despite her being nominated by housemates throughout the series after a string of clashes.
Host Will Best asked her: “How proud are you of your fellow housemates?”
Ali laughed and replied: “I’m proud of half of them.”
Since its reboot last year, Big Brother has been streamed 96million times.
ITV’s digital boss Paul Mortimer said: “Big Brother has become a favourite with our viewers.”
Bank on Lorraine at Xmas
FRESH from a sixth year of her amazing Change + Check breast cancer campaign, Lorraine Kelly will today launch a new initiative.
The Big Baby Bank Appeal will help provide items for families experiencing hardship this winter.
Working in partnership with The Baby Bank Alliance and Morrisons supermarket, they have found as many as 4.3million children now live in poverty.
Lorraine, who has daughter Rosie, said: “Becoming a grand-mother this year has been the most magical experience for me, but every child deserves the best start in life – and I hope we can all come together to make a real difference here.
“Baby banks do incredible work to ensure that families don’t have to struggle to provide the early years’ essentials and I’m so proud to be able to launch this appeal.”
Morrisons has installed 497 donation points across its stores.
A good call for midwives
MATERNITY ward angels will be shown in a whole new light when The Young Midwives Of Essex hits our screens next week.
Set at Basildon University Hospital, the show follows staff including Lilli, who picked her job thanks to another TV programme.
She said: “Call The Midwife inspired my career.
“It showed me the basics of what a midwife does, and I realised that this role is exactly what I wanted to do.”
Elsewhere, mum-of-two Grace has revealed her hopes for the show, which begins on November 25 at 8pm on U&W.
She said: “People might think that we’re just Essex airheads and we’re all about spray tans.
"I want people to see that we are more than that stereotype. We’re educated and caring people.”
Paul's happy Monday
HOSTING US show Saturday Night Live is a privilege reserved for the world’s biggest stars.
So it’s no doubt a happy Monday for Paul Mescal as it’s revealed he has been booked to host the late night talk show in December.
After becoming an overnight sensation in 2020 BBC drama Normal People, he’s now cracked America as the lead in Gladiator.
It comes as he defends pal Saorise Ronan who went viral for her comments on The Graham Norton Show after Paul seemingly laughed off women’s safety.
On RTE’s The Late Late Show this weekend, he said: “I’m sure you’ve had Saoirse on the show… she’s quite often - more often than not - the most intelligent person in the room.
“I think she hit the nail on the head, and it’s also good that messages like that are gaining traction, like that’s a conversation that we should absolutely be having on a daily basis.”
He’ll go far.
COMEDIAN Lucy Beaumont plans to raise funds for a statue of Caroline Aherne in Manchester. The Royle Family actress, who died in 2016, was raised in the suburb of Wythenshawe.
Lucy said: “It upsets me massively that no-one has done it yet so I thought maybe I should.”
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JUST in time for the Christmas rush, new documentary Buy Now! delves into the tricks brands use to lure customers.
Experts follow how time-critical discounts, special offers and even web designs drive our lust for a bargain. The Netflix one-off special lands Wednesday.