Channel 4’s naked dating show proves hit with viewers, despite criticism
The show won more viewers than Big Brother and BBC2, after it was labelled as “Blind Date in a brothel”.
Naked Attraction – Channel 4’s new nude game show hosted by Anna Richardson – has proven a hit with viewers, despite being described as “poisonous” and “exploitative”.
The show sees a singleton pick a date from a line-up of six people – but their prospective dates appear in the studio without any clothes on.
As the show goes progresses, the contestant rules out people based on whose physiques they’re attracted to – talking Richardson through their choices as they go along.
As the potential matches were whittled down, Richardson – who previously hosted The Sex Education Show – revealed information about what people “normally use to judge a partner on” – from what they do for a living, to how they dress.
Unsurprisingly, Monday’s first episode – which featured a bisexual female contestant and full frontal nudity – won its fair share of criticism.
The Telegraph claimed the show was nothing more than a “meat market” with the Daily Mail labelling it “Blind Date in a Brothel”.
“Anyone who doubts the poisonous influence of internet porn has only to watch five minutes of Naked Attraction to see the damage done,” wrote the Mail’s Christopher Stevens.
Although we’re unsure if Cilla would approve, the viewing public certainly seemed to.
The new series began with 1.4 million viewers, a 9.1% share of the audience, from 10pm on Monday.
It had the better of Channel 5’s Big Brother, which drew 1.2 million viewers (7.9%) and BBC2’s Rhod Gilbert’s Work Experience.
Host Richardson – who is in a relationship with fellow presenter Sue Perkins – recently claimed that it feels “completely natural” to be with a woman, but also that it can be “far more intense” than dating men.
Speaking to Diva magazine, the ‘Secret Eaters’ star also opened up about her relationship with Bake Off star Perkins.
The couple first revealed that they were together last year, with Richardson saying they have an “extraordinary connection”.
