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Producers of a new Channel 4 dating show about virgins have reportedly found enough participants to finally go ahead with the project.
The series, titled The Intimacy Retreat, faced major casting challenges, with the process taking over a year.
The concept involves sexually inexperienced individuals receiving coaching on intimacy and possibly losing their virginity on camera.
A source revealed to The sun the unexpected difficulties in recruiting candidates, saying: ‘Nobody saw this coming. Who would have thought it would be so difficult to find young people who are interested?
‘Rylan Clark has managed to get ten contestants to live completely naked for his new show Dating Naked, there are complete orgies on Open House and for years the programme Naked Attraction has featured many Britons as guests.
Producers of a new Channel 4 dating show aimed at virgins have reportedly found enough participants to finally go ahead with the project
Bosses eventually managed to attract enough candidates by broadening the criteria, saying that contestants only had to ‘identify’ as virgins to take part (stock image)
“But the producers just couldn’t get them in.”
To overcome the casting issues, the show’s producers have expanded their criteria to include candidates who “identify” as virgins.
During the application process, questions were asked about sexual experiences, or lack thereof, and candidates were asked whether they considered themselves virgins.
The series consists of six parts and is set in a villa in the style of Love Island in the Mediterranean. Under the guidance of sexologists, adults learn about their fears and learn more about intimacy.
The goal is to give participants confidence and possibly take the step of losing their virginity during the show.
The Intimacy Retreat is now scheduled to air next year.
The idea is that the contestants will lose their virginity to each other naturally, but IIf that doesn’t work, there are sexological substitutes that can help.
An insider insisted: ‘It’s a bold social experiment, nothing vulgar.’
Producers describe the show as “a six-part series that follows adults who are virgins (or identify as virgins) as they learn skills in the art of intimacy”
It was previously reported that candidates who apply for the series will lose their virginity on television with the help of sex experts.
During Intimacy Retreat, participants travel to a tropical island with one goal.
At this idyllic location they are joined by a camera crew and producers who hope that the actors will put each other in the spotlight in front of the lens.
However, if they have difficulties and suffer from stage fright, they have the help of specialists, so-called ‘sex substitutes’, who can guide them.
A TV insider told The Sun: ‘There’s never been a TV show that pushes the boundaries like this before, and there probably never will be again.’
‘The goal is hopefully that all the virgins find each other attractive, but if that doesn’t work out, this is plan B.
‘These people are professionals who are always ready if anything is needed.’
MailOnline has contacted Channel 4 for comment.
