Channel 4 reality show Virgin Island is reportedly set to return for a third series, and it could feature the first gay men to participate in the format. The show first aired in May 2025, following adult virgins as they explore intimacy and personal growth while living on an island retreat.
Experts Call for Gay Participants
Series two launched in April, and although Channel 4 has yet to formally confirm a third, some of the show's stars have discussed what they would like to see. According to The Sun, sex and relationship coach Dr. Danielle Harel, who leads the show's relationship therapy, said: 'We want brave virgin gay men to come to the island. Don't hide, we have a safe place for you to come to.'
Dr. Harel reportedly also said on the Spill With Will podcast: 'I think one of the things you don't see on Virgin Island yet – and we hope to see on season three – is gay men taking part in the show. We have a gay therapist waiting.'
Fellow expert Celeste Hirschman remarked: 'We thought we had a gay participant but it didn't work out in the end. We want to bring everyone out to the island.'
Previous Participant Opens Up
Previously, the only series one participant to lose his virginity opened up about his off-screen dynamic with his surrogate partner. Accountant Dave, then 24, arrived in Croatia with hopes to build confidence, learn how to be in a relationship, and tackle intimacy issues.
The group, all aged between 22 and 30, overcame a range of emotional hurdles to take their first steps toward sex and intimacy, using approaches including group sessions and surrogate partner therapy. Dave was one of the virgins to explore a partnership with Kat Slade, a certified surrogate and somatic practitioner. He revealed to Daily Mail how the relationship played out.
During the show, viewers witnessed Dave become more confident and explore emotional and physical aspects of intimacy with Kat. He lost his virginity to Kat in the final episode but has not been in contact with her since leaving the island.
'It was explained very clearly to us that you don't stay in touch after – it's sort of two weeks, and that's it and then you move on,' he shared. 'It's not easy to just detach from feelings, but I think it's an important lesson to have those feelings and then let go of them, which probably is one of the most important lessons.'
Despite sharing several intimate moments with Kat, Dave revealed that though he 'did have some feelings for her,' they did not develop into anything deeper. 'I wasn't, obviously, in love with her or anything,' he said. 'But I respected her greatly. I don't think I was too worried about falling in love.'
Though Dave – who now has a girlfriend – was the only one on the island to lose his virginity, it was not something he necessarily planned for. 'I went on the show looking to gain as much as I can from it. I didn't really have any goals or anything like that,' he explained. 'I think that's something they made sure we knew not to have specific goals for things, so that you don't get disappointed, because everyone on that island has gained so much. I think it's important to see that, rather than to have goals in your head, that you can end up feeling a bit disappointed about not reaching.'
The Daily Mail has approached Channel 4 for comment.
