Open House star in tears before dramatic exit from swingers retreat

The season finale of Channel 4's provocative series on open relationships, Open House: The Great Sex Experiment, resulted in a dramatic exit for one couple.

The show, known for its explicit content, follows couples as they explore the possibility of opening their relationships to new sexual encounters at a luxury retreat. The third series came to an end this evening on June 27.

Previous scenes saw one of the couples, Sharmayne and Jamie from Essex, express interest in taking the leap and exploring non-monogamy. However, as the episodes progressed, Sharmayne's discomfort grew, and she confessed to feeling "uncomfortable" about the idea, saying she "wants to go home".

In a final attempt, the couple invited fellow residents Mark and Jen to the hot tub. But soon Sharmayne expressed her concerns, questioning whether opening their relationship should have remained a fantasy.

Ultimately, they decided against taking the leap and retreated to their private quarters, with Sharmayne admitting she felt "overwhelmed", reports Surrey Live.

After consulting with coach Effy Blue, Sharmayne admitted she was "struggling" as her partner, Jamie, also expressed concerns about Sharmayne's comfort level.

Effy assured them that their feelings were "normal" and presented them with a new challenge. Later on, they engaged in a sultry game around the pool with fellow guests before suggesting a private meeting to Jen and Mark.

But when asked where they wanted the night to end, Sharmayne and Jamie retreated once more as an emotional Sharmayne, wiping away tears, confessed: "I really can't do this."

The couple were then seen packing their bags, choosing to leave the retreat. Reflecting on the ordeal, Sharmayne remarked: "I think this whole experience has been an emotional rollercoaster, however I'm glad that we've done it because I think we've got a lot to take away."

The episode concluded with an update; since filming, Sharmayne and Jamie remain open to expanding their relationship but have not yet taken the plunge.

After returning to screens last month, series three has captivated viewers, despite some admitting it's "astonishing" and they "can't watch". Effy Blue, a sex expert previously spoke exclusively to Reach PLC's Screen Time team, who confirmed that what unfolds on screen is real.

She said: "Oh it's very real and I think it's so important that it's real because we don't really see real sex anywhere. "

However, the explicit nature of the programme caught her off guard as she confessed: "I didn't know how much was going to be shown, it's not up to me, but now seeing it we are pushing some boundaries and good for us.

"Yay for real people having real sex on TV."

Open House: The Great Sex Experiment can be watched on Channel 4 On Demand