Naked Education star hits back at fans who want the show taken off air for exposing kids to nude adults in furious rant
NAKED Education presenter Dr Alex George has lashed out at critics of the show in a furious and emotional rant.
Alex, who co-hosts the controversial programme alongside Anna Richardson and Yinka Bokinni, has described it as "incredible and life changing" while hitting back in the wake of complaints.
The former Love Island star is a working A&E doctor and believes the C4 show has the ability to help the mental health of youngsters caught up on body image.
But Alex is getting "annoyed with himself" for listening to negative comments from viewers who have demanded it is pulled off air.
The show has so far racked up more than 1,000 complaints to television watchdog Ofcom.
Taking to Instagram, the medical professional spoke about his late brother Llyr, who took his own life in 2020 following a long battle with his mental health.
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Alex wrote: "I’m so annoyed at myself. When I lost my brother to mental illness I promised myself I would stop at nothing to prevent other families living with empty seats at their dinner table.
"I knew it would be hard. I knew it would mean doing things differently. After all, Einstein’s definition of madness is repeating the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.
"God I have faced challenges and struggles over these years, people have told me it’s impossible and so much worse. I have ALWAYS persisted and pushed on. Relentless in my mission."
He continued: "The reason I am annoyed at myself is because we created something incredible and life changing with Naked Education, and I let the opinions of a minority of people (who almost certainly hadn’t watched the show), distract from what a life changing program this is.
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"What is wrong is having young people hurt themselves because of how they look, develop eating disorders and live a life of suffering.
"What is wrong, is being a doctor in A&E and healing the wounds of a young girl who has harmed themselves, again. Tears rolling behind my mask as I thought about the injustice of it all. Why are we doing this to our children? Those image’s never leave my mind.
"To make a real change in the world you have to rock the boat. If that means upsetting some people so that we don’t continue on this dreadful trajectory of mental illness, so be it.
"I am proud of Naked Education. Thank you to all our brave and inspiring contributors. I think you should watch this series. Tune in tonight on @channel4, at 8pm."
Alex's followers have been quick to throw their support behind his comments and Naked Education in the wake of the backlash.
One replied: "How can anyone have anything negative to say about this show? It’s really empowering!"
Another added: "This programme is powerful, amazing and necessary. Our young people need to know that the body standards that are being fed to them as 'normal' are false.
"We want them to feel comfortable and proud to be who they are and I honestly think that Naked Education has been brilliant in helping to do this."
And someone else wrote: "Currently watching your series with my 11 year old daughter. We love it. I’m finding it a really helpful way of encouraging positive body image (in a world that doesn’t do so!). You’re doing an amazing job, keep doing what your doing!"
Alex replied with two red heart emojis.
Channel 4 has described Naked Education as "celebrating diversity and body positivity".
The show sees men and women standing naked in front of teenagers aged 14 to 16 to break taboos and normalise all body types.
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However, some felt that showing minors naked adult bodies before the watershed is a step too far.
