Other people’s sex lives are a bit like someone else’s chips. Yes, you might like to consider yourself above curiosity, but, let’s face it, you’re always going to be interested if they’re pointed in your direction.

That’s why Sex Party Secrets (Channel 4, now on 4od) was always going to be on the button.

By offering just the right level of titillation (fabulous cheekbones underneath Venetian masks), Channel 4 knew it would get viewers flicking over.

In fact, the mansion bonkfest documentary even came complete with a masterclass in how to throw your own sex party (at channel4.com), should you so choose.

In the case of party organiser Jon Blue, ingredients to get the party started include “lots of flamboyant spectacle creatures – we’re going to have a mermaid in the pool. And a unicorn.”

Looks like the days of Twiglets and bowls of car keys have had their day.

Add “playrooms” and plenty of open-minded guests and you’ve got an orgy on your hands, which no one seemed to find a bad word (or bat a heavily-lashed eyelid) about.

Jon, seen happily glammed up in drag at the Dorset house (“Every man should wear high heels for at least a day”) was, for me, the most interesting interviewee in Sex Party Secrets because of his frank and logical approach to sex.

A former reproductive biologist whose job used to involve setting up fish breeding experiments (Barry White featured, apparently), the next logical notch on his CV was human sex party host.

“The sex lives of animals are much more fascinating than ours,” says Jon. “We have completely boring sex lives compared to what some animals get up to.

“Human sexuality is very complex – we’re a social animal. Attaching shame to sex makes no sense.”

Less likeable is Chris, who went from having just £15 in his pocket to owning £30m mansions after his Heaven Circle business took off.

All very entrepreneurial, yes, but as he and girlfriend Lauren sit picking elite swingers, based solely on semi-naked selfies, with a hot-or-not click bait session, it becomes clear that it really is survival of the fittest.

But, hey, “no one wants to go to an orgy with fat old people.”

Interviews with first-time guests (Sandy and Poppy in white feather fascinators talking very frankly about their experiences) and exhilarated couples (“I can have my cake and eat it, and so can my husband”) who found the key to relationship success might involve others were very candid and, in fact, refreshing.

It’s nice to have the taboos of sex and death discussed openly, such as by Louise, the northern lass who hosts Pure Pleasure parties on Ibiza.

With 63 per cent of marriages ending in infidelity, she talks joyfully about how she and her partner enjoyed an open relationship before he died suddenly, doing what he loved (or going “out with a bang” as she puts it).

“I believe that monogamy doesn’t work,” says Louise, as her son Jordon helps pour drinks.

“Freedom is the key to success, and later on it will be like a very noisy human jigsaw up here.”

The unnerving combo of masks, distorted voices and lushly lit mansions is very intoxicating, as was the – very tasteful – crescendo of body parts writhing about.

Anyway, well done to the makers for managing to avoid the Benny Hill sniggering peep show this could have been.

Those looking for cheaper, more sordid sexual goings on will have to switch over to the Celebrity Big Brother house.

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