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47-year-old Welsh virgin releases memoir and volunteers at Pride while 'Virgin Island' contestants share intimacy milestones

His memoir details how childhood divorce led to school bullying that fuelled lifelong intimacy anxiety

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Overview

  • Andrew Brookman cites his parents’ divorce at age 10 and subsequent school bullying as the roots of his fear of intimacy
  • He spent his 30s battling a nightly pornography addiction as his only outlet for suppressed sexuality
  • Writing Colours of a rare bird helped Brookman confront shame and inspired him to volunteer at his first local Pride event
  • Channel 4’s Virgin Island assembled 12 virgin adults aged 22 to 30 for guided intimacy workshops in Croatia
  • Participants have since reported varied outcomes, from losing virginity during or after the show to gaining confidence and pursuing dating without yet becoming sexually active