Episode one of the Seven Year Switch has raised several huge talking points when it comes to relationships, with audiences taking to social media to voice differing opinions.
The Channel 4 series follows four married couples facing extreme relationship trouble, as they embark on a radical experiment to try and rescue their marriage.
If you’ve seen Wife Swap, you’ll find this show pretty easy to pick up.
seven year switch is like extreme wife swap and i think im going to be living for it.
— Gen Williams (@GenWilliams_) March 6, 2018
The couples in Seven Year Switch have agreed to spend two weeks away from their partners, swapping their lives at home in the U.K to for a luxurious break on the island of Ko Samui, Thailand.
Screen Shot: Ko Samui, Seven Year Switch, C4
However, the husband spends time with another wife (also facing relationship problems) and the wife plays vice verse. Like we said – Wife Swap.
In episode one, heated debates broke out as the couples found out that there was only one double-size bed in each apartment, begging the question; what if your partner shared a bed with someone else?
This seven year switch program is just plain wrong. On holiday with a stranger and sharing a bed! Wtf
— caroline milburn (@caz_milburn) March 6, 2018
I would never partake in this Seven Year Switch experiment. Swapping partners and them sleeping in one bed, that could never be me 🙅😏
— Khanyi Ndabambi (@Khanyiibadnewz) July 12, 2017
Ok, am I being thick here – but you can share a bed without having sex right? #sevenyearswitch
— Lotty Earns (@lottyburns) March 6, 2018
Top and Tail
First, we met couple Michelle and George, who cited their relationship problems due to constant arguments.
Michelle had expressed her reluctance to take up a “stay at home” role doing chores such as the washing and cleaning, in what husband George felt was a “traditional role for a woman”.
Screen Shot: Michelle on her Hubby – Seven Year Switch, C4
Screen Shot: Michelle on her Hubby – Seven Year Switch, C4
Twitter didn’t take to G-man kindly.
Everything George was saying about men and women in a relationship is exactly what is wrong with so many men. There’s no place for that in the modern world we live in #SevenYearSwitch
— Tamsyn (@Tams0123) March 6, 2018
#Sevenyearswitch mateeeeeee it’s 2018.. if you want your tea and the house cleaning, do it your fucking self.
— Jess (@Jess2812Mcgowan) March 6, 2018
When George finally touched down in Thailand he was angered by the fact that there was only one bed.
Just 10 minutes earlier in the programme and he and wife Michelle were caught on camera quarrelling over a silky red pyjama outfit that George had told his wife not to pack, telling her it was for “his eyes only”.
Screen Shot: Seven Year Switch, C4
Chain-smoking like a madman, it was a tense scene for George, who wanted assurance that his wife wouldn’t be sharing a bed with a stranger.
Screen Shot: Seven Year Switch, C4
Screen Shot: Seven Year Switch, C4
But, his wife’s new holiday buddy, Tom, was pretty relaxed about the whole bed situation.
In fact, he suggested they “top and tail like kids” or play a game to decide the outcome.
Screen Shot: Michelle is unsure . . . Seven Year Switch, C4
Eventually, the pair did play a racing game in the pool, with Michelle winning the rights to the bed.
But, enjoying a playful time together, and facing a long two weeks alone in the apartment, the next episode of Seven Year Switch looks like it could step up a notch in raunchiness.
In the Dog Kennel
Across the street, well, luscious green jungle, and former professional rugby player Simon had a very different approach to the one bedroom situation.
He immediately spared Gemma’s worries by telling her she could take the bedroom and he would sleep in the living room on the sofa.
Screen Shot: Gentleman Tom – Seven Year Switch, C4
Screen Shot: Gentleman Tom – Seven Year Switch, C4
Mental Breakdown
Gemma’s husband Tony took a different approach to any of the other contestants, almost having a complete mental breakdown and continuously stressing that he just wanted to go home.
Screen Shot: Tony LOSES it – Seven Year Switch, C4
Screen Shot: Tony LOSES it – Seven Year Switch, C4
Screen Shot: Tony LOSES it – Seven Year Switch, C4
Fans took to Twitter in outrage at Tony’s selfish decisions.
Tony, who wants the single life, is now throwing his toys out the pram at the thought of his missus sharing a bed with another man. 😊😂#sevenyearswitch #7yearswitch
— Bob Ohn (@RichardHK83) March 6, 2018
The husband of two children had recently left the family home and was struggling to find optimism when it came to continuing his 15-year relationship with Gemma, curious as to what life would be like if he was single.
Screen Shot: Tony – Seven Year Switch, C4
Screen Shot: Tony – Seven Year Switch, C4
The show ended with hairdresser Tony still fuming at the one bedroom situation and reiterating that he wanted to go home, even if wife Gemma stayed.
Find out what happens next week on Seven Year Switch, airing every Tuesday, 9:15 pm, on Channel 4.