Kat Slade, the surrogate partner therapist on Channel 4's 'Virgin Island', is set to reveal her own scars and the 'shame' she feels about them in an upcoming episode. The 35-year-old, who has been on the show since its first season, addresses her scars for the first time after viewers noticed them due to the programme's nudity.
In a moving scene airing on May 5, Kat works with 27-year-old Ed, who was born with Poland's Syndrome, a rare condition causing webbed fingers and underdeveloped chest muscles. Corrective surgery left Ed with scarring on his hands, arm and chest, which has affected his confidence.
Kat explains to the cameras: 'I noticed that Ed had scars and that's something he was really insecure about coming in. And I also do, and so it felt really powerful to share that space.' During their session, she tells Ed: 'I saw your scars. It was confronting for me because it's a part of myself that I still can feel so much shame around.'
Ed finds Kat's honesty 'comforting', and the pair remove their shirts to gently trace each other's scars. Ed says: 'I'm always worried about people touching mine... so with you I feel like I can be vulnerable as well and like I'm not alone.' After the exchange, he adds: 'Knowing that we've both got scars... I didn't feel any body issues at all.'
'Virgin Island' airs Monday and Tuesday nights at 9pm on Channel 4.
