I’m a relationship expert – 8 steamy TV and film sex scenes guaranteed to get you in the mood

STILL struggling to ignite the flames of passion in the bedroom?

Colin Firth’s dripping-wet torso as he emerged from a lake set viewers’ pulses racing in 1995 during the hit TV series Pride And Prejudice.

So much so, it seems to have inspired a raunchy new scene in Netflix’s period drama Bridgerton, as Anthony Bridgerton, played by Jonathan Bailey, 33, emerges from the water with his shirt clinging to his torso in a red-hot preview for the new series.

Relationship expert Rebecca Dakin tells Nikki Watkins the top sex scenes, from telly and the movies, to get you in the mood.

Pride And Prejudice (1995)

THIS adaptation of the Jane Austen novel is the story of Elizabeth Bennet, played by Jennifer Ehle, facing pressure from her parents to marry.

She is introduced to handsome Mr Darcy, and the electric sexual tension between the couple leaps from the screen.

The scene that brought a generation to its knees – igniting sexual fantasies across the nation – was Mr Darcy emerging from the water, dripping wet, with his shirt clinging to every contour of his body.

It is so sexy because it is a glimpse into the forbidden. Elizabeth cannot have her wicked way with him because it would be prohibited in those buttoned-up times.

Her glimpsing his body is anticipation of what it would be like to see him naked, a taster of what passions are in store.

Everyone is turned on by a glimpse of secret lust and his body is incredible to look at.

9½ Weeks (1986)

THE erotic movie portrays art gallery employee Elizabeth McGraw, played by Kim Basinger, having a brief and intense affair with mysterious Wall Street broker John Gray, played by Mickey Rourke.

It is so packed with sex it was considered too explicit by its American distributor and was heavily edited for release.

The stand-out sex scene is a clinch in a rainy stairwell. This outdoor session turns viewers on – as seeing raw, uninhibited, carnal lust lights up the human sex drive.

This is an idealised sex scene that we know would not live up to expectations in real life, which is why it’s so mesmerising to watch.

Pretty Woman (1990)

THIS romantic film is based on Hollywood prostitute Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts) being hired by wealthy businessman Edward Lewis, played by Richard Gere.

The scene that sends libidos sky-rocketing is when they make love on top of a piano.

Having sex in a public place is erotic, so what’s hotter than sex on a piano in a public restaurant?

It is something that most people would feel far too inhibited to do. Seeing a fantasy you are too scared to commit to yourself is deeply hot.

Fifty Shades Freed (2018)

THIS third and final instalment of the Fifty Shades film series is based on E. L. James’s 2012 novel of the same name.

Anastasia Steele, played by Dakota Johnson, and Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) are now married and continuing on their erotic sexual experimentation.

The infamous red room in his home is a plush, sexually exciting playroom that introduces the idea of experimenting with pleasure versus pain in a controlled, consensual setting.

The sex scene between the couple, where he covers her eyes with red satin while restraining her to a free-standing wall, is a huge turn-on to viewers – as being blindfolded and restrained is a common fantasy.

Anastasia tries to sense where Christian is, and what is to come, and it is this heady anticipation that has the audience holding their breath along with her.

Learning something new and intriguing like we do with the bondage scenes in these films, that may not be available in our own sex lives, is always hugely erotic.

Bridgerton (2020)

THE sexed-up period piece about 1800s aristocrats is filled with saucy scenes.

All are incredibly hot – and especially those between the Duke of Hastings, played by Regé-Jean Page, and Daphne Bridgerton, portrayed by Phoebe Dynevor.

The one that gets viewers hot under the collar is when Daphne and the duke go at it in the library, with her hoisted up on a ladder.

This scene plays into all the sexual fantasies we have of bodice ripping, as she is so heavily dressed.

To see him prising away these layers is an extreme turn on.

Our own libidos cannot help but react to this stimulation.

Dirty Dancing (1987)

THE romantic film stars Jennifer Grey as Frances “Baby” Houseman who falls in love with dance instructor Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze) at a holiday park.

As the film is filled with bodies entwining and sensual movement, it makes the link in our brain from dancing straight to sex.

Viewers of the film cannot help being aroused thinking about sex.

The iconic scene where Johnny teaches Baby one-on-one dancing, culminating in them tumbling into bed, realises our every fantasy.

Wild Things (1998)

THIS crime thriller about high school girls trying to extort a male teacher is notorious for its erotic content – as sex scenes were more explicit than typically seen in Hollywood movies.

The most titillating is the scene where lead characters Suzie Toller and Kelly Van Ryan, played by Neve Campbell and Denise Richards respectively, have a passionate clinch in a swimming pool, leading to a threesome with Sam Lombardo, played by Matt Dillon.

Scenes in water or rain make clothes stick to the contours of our bodies, often making them see-through, accentuating bumps and protruding nipples.

Our libido cannot help but react to these visual prompts, leaving us instantly turned on.

True Blood (2012)

THE horror drama series centres on Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin) falling in love with vampire Bill Compton, played by Stephen Moyer.

There are several orgy scenes in the show and naturally our bodies get revved up by the pure, carnal lust they represent.

Orgies appeal to people’s dark side and the fantasies to sexually devour a lover we did not know we had.

Things happen in group sex that we all wonder about and titillates us, but are too scared to confront, such as the feel of multiple hands on your body and the delight of watching someone you love be the centre of another’s attention.

It is both disturbing and exciting and ticks so many boxes, sexually, for many people.