Blind Date sent a bisexual couple to a country where sex between two men is illegal in the most recent episode.
The Channel 5 dating show has come in for criticism for the oversight, after initially winning praise for featuring bisexual contestants for the first time on Sunday night.
The episode saw Bristolian beautician Jordan Shannon paired up with male model Jesse Drew, before it was revealed they would be heading to the Caribbean for a romantic holiday.
However, it was not until they arrived in Saint Lucia that they were told until same-sex sexual activity is illegal on the West Indies island, with a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
Jordan told the Daily Star he was left feeling “nervous” after finding out.
He said: “I didn’t know [about the law] until I was told on the way to the hotel. I thought, ‘What the fuck?’.
“The hotel security woman told me how most gay men were in the closet there as homosexuality is illegal. It’s 10 years in prison if caught.”
Saint Lucia also does not have any laws protecting LGBTQ+ people from hate crimes or any other form of discrimination that takes place outside of a working environment.
Fortunately, Jordan and Jesse returned home to the UK safely without any trouble.
A Channel 5 spokesperson said: “We didn’t know and are taking this up with the production company.”
Blind Date is made by three production companies including So Television, owned by Graham Norton, and Blind Date presenter Paul O’Grady’s company, Olga TV.
HuffPost UK has contacted representatives from So Television and Olga TV and is awaiting responses.
Viewers will be able to see how Jordan and Jesse got on during their date on Sunday at 8pm on Channel 5.
Useful websites and helplines:
- London Lesbian & Gay switchboard (LLGS) is a free confidential support & information helpline for LGBT communities throughout the UK | 0300 330 0630
- Manchester Lesbian and Gay Switchboard is a free support, information and referral service for the Manchester and North-West area | 0161 235 8000
- Stonewall for more information on other LGBT services and helplines | 08000 502020