Gay couple to have sex on live Channel 4 show
A new Channel 4 show where couples have sex in an opaque, sound-proofed box before being interviewed about the experience will include a gay couple, it has been announced.
The show, which will air live in front of a studio audience, will see couples have sex in the box before being interviewed by host Mariella Frostrup and a panel of experts including ‘It Gets Better’ founder Dan Savage about their experience.
Three couples have agreed to appear on the show, including Matt and John, a gay couple in their 30s who are in a long-term relationship.
The makers of the show, named Sex Box, claim that the programme is intended to “reclaim sex from pornography”, and forms part of Channel 4’s “real sex” season, which will also include a documentary on how pornography is affecting teenagers in the UK.
Channel 4 commissioning editor David Glover said the programme was “a rather mischievous, fun idea that actually allows sex to be completely private but the conversation to be truthful and immediate”.
Ralph Lee, Channel 4’s head of factual programming, added: “It’s not about the technicalities of sex but more about discussing what it means to them as a couple. There has been a massive explosion of pornography but what there hasn’t been is a conversation about real sex in people’s lives today. This will add context to pornography.”
He said it had not been hard to find couples willing to appear on the show, and that producers had taken steps to ensure that “real” couples were participating and not simply exhibitionists.
“Those who appear have a personal reason for doing so – perhaps some felt that their sex lives were not represented in the media, so it was a chance to show the sort of sex they have”, he said.
Channel 4’s “real sex” season will begin on 30th September, with Sex Box due to air on 7 October.
