Bertie, a 24-year-old participant from Taunton on Channel 4’s Virgin Island, experienced a significant boost in confidence after a heartfelt encounter with sex therapist Celeste Hirschman. Known as a self-confessed “grade-A virgin,” Bertie described feeling “relieved” following an emotionally intimate moment during their one-on-one session.
The eagerly awaited second season of Virgin Island premiered on Monday, April 27, with relationship coaches quickly diving into their work with participants. In an exclusive preview from the opening episode, viewers witnessed Bertie and sexologist Celeste sharing a tender connection on the sofa.
In a gentle moment, Celeste sat close to Bertie, resting her head on his chest and praising his inviting and comforting demeanor. She softly commented, “I really like it when you put your cheek next to my forehead,” which helped Bertie grow more comfortable and self-assured. The moment culminated with Bertie planting a gentle kiss on Celeste’s forehead, and she reciprocated with a kiss on his cheek, leaving a lipstick mark as a memorable token.
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Reflecting on the encounter, Bertie expressed, “Celeste was just brilliant,” proudly showing off the lipstick mark and saying, “and this has happened.” He added, “I feel a lot more relieved and more at ease with everything. That was a real confidence boost for me.”
Later, a visibly more confident Bertie greeted fellow cast members with enthusiasm, carefully concealing the lipstick mark on his cheek with a book before revealing it, which sparked clapping and excitement among his peers.
Bertie also recently appeared on This Morning alongside fellow cast member Joy, where he opened up about his virginity and the challenges he faces beyond physical intimacy. Speaking to hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, he shared, “It’s not just the intimacy part of relationships that I find uncomfortable—I also feel unsure about what comes before that.”
He elaborated, “I don’t know how to approach women or how to start a conversation because I worry I’ll come across as awkward. Even the dating part is new to me since I’ve never been on a date before. I just have no experience.”
Adding to his challenges, Bertie revealed that body image issues create additional mental hurdles, making his journey toward confidence even more significant.
Virgin Island continues Mondays at 9 pm on Channel 4.