# I Kissed a Boy
**I Kissed a Boy** is a British reality dating television series, the UK's first dating show with an exclusively gay male cast, broadcast on [BBC Three](https://www.edgepedia.org/bbc-three) and [BBC iPlayer](https://www.edgepedia.org/bbc-iplayer) and hosted by the Australian singer and actress [Dannii Minogue](https://www.edgepedia.org/dannii-minogue). Ten single men are matched in advance with a partner and kiss the moment they meet, before any introductions, at an Italian masseria (a fortified farmhouse). It was produced by Twofour, ran for two series in 2023 and 2025, and was canceled by the BBC in March 2026 alongside its sister show *I Kissed a Girl*.[1](https://twofour.co.uk/show/i-kissed-a-boy/) • [2](https://www.them.us/story/bbc-cancels-i-kissed-a-boy-and-i-kissed-a-girl-due-to-funding-challenges)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First broadcast | Series 1 premiered on BBC Three in May 2023; episode 1 aired 14 May 2023[3](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/i_kissed_a_boy/s01) |
| Premise | Ten single men are pre-matched and share a first kiss on meeting; no small talk or messaging beforehand[1](https://twofour.co.uk/show/i-kissed-a-boy/) |
| Host | Dannii Minogue, described in promotion as playing "Cupid"[1](https://twofour.co.uk/show/i-kissed-a-boy/) |
| Series run | Series 1: eight episodes plus a reunion (June 2023); Series 2: ten episodes ending with a Reunion on 15 June 2025[4](https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/i-kissed-a-boy-producers-on-future-seasons-437010/) • [5](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/62159/i-kissed-a-boy) |
| Award | Best Multichannel Programme at the Broadcast Awards, announced 8 February 2024[6](https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/winners/best-multichannel-programme-i-kissed-a-boy/5190225.article) |
| Audience reach | Female viewers accounted for 53% of the show's overall audience[6](https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/winners/best-multichannel-programme-i-kissed-a-boy/5190225.article) |
| Cancellation | Cancelled by the BBC in March 2026, citing "funding challenges"[2](https://www.them.us/story/bbc-cancels-i-kissed-a-boy-and-i-kissed-a-girl-due-to-funding-challenges) |
## Spoilers
### Plot
#### Series 1 (2023)
Ten British men, matched in advance by the producers into five pairs, arrive one by one at the Masseria, a whitewashed Italian farmhouse with a pool, an outdoor bar, and a long table for dinner-party drama. Each newcomer walks in, finds his assigned partner waiting, and kisses him before introductions. Dannii Minogue plays Cupid from a distance, watching on monitors and delivering verdicts in voiceover.
The first kiss of the series belongs to Gareth and Subomi: nervous, sweet, and immediately followed by the two of them having to figure out what to say with the kiss already out of the way. For some of the cast the kiss is no big deal; for others it is enormous. Josh had never kissed a man before the show, and his careful, chaste peck on arrival becomes one of the series' quiet milestones, a man in his twenties taking his first step in public.[20](https://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/2024/06/i-kissed-a-boy-hulu-review/)
From there the format runs like Love Island with the dial turned up. The boys live together, drink together, and talk with a frankness mainstream British reality TV has never really allowed: on the very first night the group identifies who among them is a top and who is a bottom, and the conversation carries on from there. Couples are tested by new arrivals, by the producers' matchmaking meddling, and by the boys' own wandering attention spans. Between couplings and recouplings, the show makes room for the heavier stuff the cast brings with them: coming out in a strict religious family, the pressure of body image in gay dating, and the strangeness of a first same-sex relationship unfolding on television.[1](https://twofour.co.uk/show/i-kissed-a-boy/)
**The set piece the show is remembered for is the Kiss-Off, the re-matching ceremony where couples stand back to back and turn around only if they want to stay together.** Dannii presides, the boys line up in pairs, and each man must decide, with his partner's back against his own and no way to see him, whether to turn and take his partner's hand or stay frozen and let the pairing die. A turn that meets a turn is a save; a lone turn is a public rejection in front of everyone you have to live with for another week. The ceremony turns every recoupling into a suspense scene, because the audience has usually seen enough of both men to guess wrong about who turns.
Along the way the series delivers its most-quoted line. Bobski, after an enthusiastic makeout session with Mikey that left no ambiguity about how it went, tells the camera, "Let's just say... things got hard," a sentence that became the show's meme and its mission statement in one. The series also stages a Pride Night in the masseria, its most flamboyant hour, in which Ollie appears in arse-less leather chaps wearing a red AIDS-awareness ribbon, a costume that is funny, horny, and a piece of living history at the same time.[21](https://www.vice.com/en/article/i-kissed-a-boy-bbc-three-reality-tv/)
The series closes with a final Kiss-Off that settles which couples leave the masseria together, followed by a reunion special airing June 11, 2023, in which the cast reconvenes to relive the kisses, the betrayals, and the Bobski line, and to reveal which relationships survived contact with the outside world.[4](https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/i-kissed-a-boy-producers-on-future-seasons-437010/)
#### Series 2 (2024)
The second series returns to the masseria with a fresh batch of ten singles, the same kiss-on-arrival mechanic, and the same Kiss-Off ceremonies, with Dannii Minogue back as Cupid and [Layton Williams](https://www.edgepedia.org/layton-williams) back in the narrator's chair. Among the new cast is Jordan Burrow, a 27-year-old who would later become one of the show's loudest defenders when its future came into question. The series again runs through matchings, new arrivals, and back-to-back decisions, and closes with a reunion staged at London's Clapham Grand, where the drama, the camp, and the heartfelt bits arrive in roughly equal measure.[22](https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2024/i-kissed-a-boy-series-two) • [23](https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/new-relationships-friendships-and-sleepovers-i-kissed-a-boy-season-2-reunion-recap-485244/)
### Characters
- **Gareth**, one of series 1's central romantics, whose kiss with Subomi opens the entire series and whose journey through the recouplings gives the season its spine.
- **Subomi**, Gareth's first match, present for the show's literal first moment.
- **Josh**, a series 1 contestant who had never kissed a man before walking into the masseria, and whose first kiss happens on camera in episode one.
- **Bobski**, the series' breakout personality, responsible for the "things got hard" line and for much of its chaos.
- **Mikey**, Bobski's partner in the makeout session that produced it.
- **Ollie**, series 1's most flamboyant dresser and the star of Pride Night.
- **Dannii Minogue**, the host, who watches, matches, and presides over every Kiss-Off with evident delight.
- **Jordan Burrow**, a series 2 contestant, 27, later a prominent voice on the show's cultural impact.
### Interpretations and controversies
The show's reception was overwhelmingly warm, but not unanimous. A 2025 essay in UnHerd argued that the series relied on what it called socially engineered self-deception on the part of contestants and viewers, a dissent from the mainstream framing of the show as straightforwardly historic.[24](https://unherd.com/2025/06/i-kissed-a-boy-pays-lip-service-to-dogma/) In March 2026 the BBC confirmed that both I Kissed a Boy and its sister show [I Kissed a Girl](https://www.edgepedia.org/i-kissed-a-girl) would end after one further series, citing funding challenges, a decision I Kissed a Girl contestant Priya Sohanpal called "one step forward, two steps back" for representation.[25](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg893yd499o)
### Sequels, spin-offs, and adaptations
The success of series 1 produced a direct companion, I Kissed a Girl, the UK's first dating show for gay women, which producers said was planned from the start and whose casting drew what they described as a massive response.[4](https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/i-kissed-a-boy-producers-on-future-seasons-437010/) I Kissed a Boy itself returned for a second series announced May 21, 2024.[22](https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2024/i-kissed-a-boy-series-two) In the United States, the full first series and its reunion arrived on Hulu in June 2024.[20](https://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/2024/06/i-kissed-a-boy-hulu-review/)
## Format
The format borrows the structure of mainstream villa dating shows such as *Love Island* but removes the opening small-talk phase. Contestants are paired before arrival based on what they are looking for in a partner, and each couple's first meeting is a kiss, framed by the show as an instant test of chemistry.[1](https://twofour.co.uk/show/i-kissed-a-boy/) • [7](https://www.whattowatch.com/how-to/watch-i-kissed-a-boy-season-2-online) After settling in, contestants decide whether to continue with their original match or choose someone else in a decision ritual called the "Kiss-Off", the show's equivalent of a recoupling, which can end in elimination.[8](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/i-kissed-a-boy) • [9](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/may/13/i-kissed-a-boy-review-historic-gay-dating-show-is-a-queer-summer-treat) New arrivals enter the masseria during the series, and "Chemistry Tests", themed parties and challenges drive the drama between Kiss-Offs.[5](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/62159/i-kissed-a-boy) • [10](https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/tv-shows/i-kissed-a-girl-how-to-watch/)
The Guardian's review of series 1 described the show as a "Love Island-aping" summer series run over a cautious eight episodes, with the Kiss-Off as a less compelling take on that show's recoupling.[9](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/may/13/i-kissed-a-boy-review-historic-gay-dating-show-is-a-queer-summer-treat) The final episode of each series is a reunion in which the cast returns months later to discuss whose relationships lasted.[5](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/62159/i-kissed-a-boy)
## Production and representation
Twofour, the production company, stated that the series was designed to put queerness front and center, with storylines including coming out in a strict religious family, body image pressures in the gay dating scene, and navigating first same-sex relationships.[1](https://twofour.co.uk/show/i-kissed-a-boy/) According to a Broadcast feature on the show's award win, the crew were mainly LGBT+ and the cast were chosen in part for challenging gay stereotypes; the same feature noted that contestants were treated with respect and never caricatured.[6](https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/winners/best-multichannel-programme-i-kissed-a-boy/5190225.article) The casting team for the *Boy* format was staffed with queer men, and queer women cast the *Girl* version, executive producer Dan Gray told the [Royal Television Society](https://www.edgepedia.org/royal-television-society).[11](https://rts.org.uk/index.php/article/we-won-t-let-it-disappear-without-fight-i-kissed-girl-and-i-kissed-boy-executive-producers)
Layton Williams narrated the series, and Minogue returned as host for both series.[5](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/62159/i-kissed-a-boy) Minogue publicly framed the show's purpose as representation, saying friends in the community had described growing up without role models on television.[7](https://www.whattowatch.com/how-to/watch-i-kissed-a-boy-season-2-online)
## Broadcast history and reception
Series 1 began on BBC Three in May 2023, with the first episodes also released on BBC iPlayer.[3](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/i_kissed_a_boy/s01) • [12](https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/i-kissed-a-boy-bbc-2023) The eight-part run ended with a reunion episode broadcast on 11 June 2023.[4](https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/i-kissed-a-boy-producers-on-future-seasons-437010/) A second series was commissioned and aired from 11 May 2025, running to ten episodes including a Reunion on 15 June 2025.[5](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/62159/i-kissed-a-boy) • [13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZPoBgLPrD4)
Critics received the show warmly. The Guardian called it a "historic" and "fun, relatable" queer summer treat, while Reality Blurred's reviewer gave it an A- grade, judging that the *Love Island* copy worked precisely because it embraced the format.[9](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/may/13/i-kissed-a-boy-review-historic-gay-dating-show-is-a-queer-summer-treat) • [3](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/i_kissed_a_boy/s01) At the Broadcast Awards in February 2024 it won Best Multichannel Programme, with the judges citing "a true depiction of dating in the modern age"; the trade magazine reported that women made up 53% of the audience, showing appeal beyond gay viewers.[6](https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/winners/best-multichannel-programme-i-kissed-a-boy/5190225.article)
## International distribution
The format sold widely. In May 2024, Hulu announced it had acquired US rights to both *I Kissed a Boy* and *I Kissed a Girl*, and the show also streams on Disney+ in some markets.[14](https://www.cinemablend.com/streaming-news/watch-i-kissed-a-boy-online-stream-episodes-bbc-free-host-cast) • [3](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/i_kissed_a_boy/s01) TV2 Echo and TV2 Play in Denmark and TVNZ in New Zealand picked up both seasons, while 10Play in Australia, VMI in Ireland, and YES in Israel acquired *I Kissed A Boy*.[15](https://www.itv.com/presscentre/print/pdf/node/32866)
## Cancellation
In March 2026 the BBC confirmed that neither *I Kissed a Boy* nor *I Kissed a Girl* would return after the second series of the *Girl* show, which aired from 23 June 2026 as the franchise's final season. A BBC spokesperson told The Sun: "We are exceptionally proud of I Kissed A Boy/Girl, the UK's first dating show for the LGBTQ+ community... Unfortunately, we have to make difficult choices in light of our funding challenges and there are no current plans for the show to return."[2](https://www.them.us/story/bbc-cancels-i-kissed-a-boy-and-i-kissed-a-girl-due-to-funding-challenges) • [16](https://rts.org.uk/article/second-and-final-series-i-kissed-girl-air-june) The second series of *I Kissed a Boy* had already been filmed and broadcast before the cancellation announcement.[5](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/62159/i-kissed-a-boy) Contestants and commentators responded critically; one former contestant told [BBC News](https://www.edgepedia.org/bbc-news) that canceling the show was "two steps back" for representation, and a Radio Times comment piece argued the axing set an unwelcome precedent for queer programming.[17](https://unmasked.goodfriends.workers.dev/megan-http-news.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg893yd499o) • [18](https://tollbit.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/reality-tv/i-kissed-a-boy-i-kissed-a-girl-axing-comment/) All previous episodes of both shows remain available on BBC iPlayer.[19](https://www.advanced-television.com/2026/06/10/i-kissed-a-girl-season-2-on-bbc-this-june/)
## References
1. [I Kissed a Boy – Twofour](https://twofour.co.uk/show/i-kissed-a-boy/)
2. [BBC Cancels 'I Kissed a Boy' and 'I Kissed a Girl' Due to "Funding Challenges" – Them, 11 March 2026](https://www.them.us/story/bbc-cancels-i-kissed-a-boy-and-i-kissed-a-girl-due-to-funding-challenges)
3. [I Kissed a Boy: Season 1 – Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/i_kissed_a_boy/s01)
4. [I Kissed A Boy: Producers open up on gay dating series – Attitude](https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/i-kissed-a-boy-producers-on-future-seasons-437010/)
5. [I Kissed a Boy – TVmaze](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/62159/i-kissed-a-boy)
6. [Best multichannel programme: I Kissed A Boy – Broadcast, 8 February 2024](https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/winners/best-multichannel-programme-i-kissed-a-boy/5190225.article)
7. [How to watch I Kissed A Boy season 2 online – What to Watch](https://www.whattowatch.com/how-to/watch-i-kissed-a-boy-season-2-online)
8. [I Kissed a Boy – Parents' Guide & TV Review – Common Sense Media](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/i-kissed-a-boy)
9. [I Kissed a Boy review – historic gay dating show is a queer summer treat – The Guardian, 13 May 2023](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/may/13/i-kissed-a-boy-review-historic-gay-dating-show-is-a-queer-summer-treat)
10. [How to Watch 'I Kissed a Girl' – Marie Claire](https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/tv-shows/i-kissed-a-girl-how-to-watch/)
11. ["We won't let it disappear without a fight": I Kissed a Girl and I Kissed a Boy executive producers – Royal Television Society](https://rts.org.uk/index.php/article/we-won-t-let-it-disappear-without-fight-i-kissed-girl-and-i-kissed-boy-executive-producers)
12. [The first-ever UK gay dating show has landed – Glamour UK, 16 May 2023](https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/i-kissed-a-boy-bbc-2023)
13. [I Kissed a Boy S2 | Official Trailer | BBC Three – YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZPoBgLPrD4)
14. [How To Watch I Kissed A Boy Season 2 Online – CinemaBlend](https://www.cinemablend.com/streaming-news/watch-i-kissed-a-boy-online-stream-episodes-bbc-free-host-cast)
15. [ITV Press Centre PDF (international sales for I Kissed A Boy / I Kissed A Girl)](https://www.itv.com/presscentre/print/pdf/node/32866)
16. [Second and final series of I Kissed a Girl to air in June – Royal Television Society, 10 June 2026](https://rts.org.uk/article/second-and-final-series-i-kissed-girl-air-june)
17. [BBC cancelling LGBTQ+ show is two steps back, says contestant – BBC News](https://unmasked.goodfriends.workers.dev/megan-http-news.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg893yd499o)
18. [Watching I Kissed a Boy changed my life and its axing sets an ugly precedent – Radio Times](https://tollbit.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/reality-tv/i-kissed-a-boy-i-kissed-a-girl-axing-comment/)
19. [I Kissed A Girl season 2 on BBC this June – Advanced Television, 10 June 2026](https://www.advanced-television.com/2026/06/10/i-kissed-a-girl-season-2-on-bbc-this-june/)
20. [https://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/2024/06/i-kissed-a-boy-hulu-review/](https://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/2024/06/i-kissed-a-boy-hulu-review/)
21. [https://www.vice.com/en/article/i-kissed-a-boy-bbc-three-reality-tv/](https://www.vice.com/en/article/i-kissed-a-boy-bbc-three-reality-tv/)
22. [https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2024/i-kissed-a-boy-series-two](https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2024/i-kissed-a-boy-series-two)
23. [https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/new-relationships-friendships-and-sleepovers-i-kissed-a-boy-season-2-reunion-recap-485244/](https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/new-relationships-friendships-and-sleepovers-i-kissed-a-boy-season-2-reunion-recap-485244/)
24. [https://unherd.com/2025/06/i-kissed-a-boy-pays-lip-service-to-dogma/](https://unherd.com/2025/06/i-kissed-a-boy-pays-lip-service-to-dogma/)
25. [https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg893yd499o](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg893yd499o)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Series and fictional screen worlds › Unscripted, reality, and web-native series › Celebrity, family, lifestyle, and court reality series › Lifestyle, dating, and docusoaps › Dating and matchmaking series*
*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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