I’ll admit, spilling my virginity story to the one and only Diana Vickers wasn’t on my 2025 bingo card.
I didn’t think I’d be hearing her cackle as I talked about my first boyfriend and that awkward encounter, when the most my school ever taught me was how to put a condom on a cucumber (making eye contact with my headteacher Mrs Chapman as I fumbled with the wrapper is something I regrettably can’t forget).
I’d watched Diana on X factor at just nine years old, singing Dido’s White Flag, wide-eyed and captivated, then admired her evolution into actor and social media firecracker, with no idea our paths would cross in this way.
But, in what feels like cosmic fate, we’re co-presenting Metro’s brand new relationships podcast: Just Between Us.
Each week, we’ll take a listener call where you have the opportunity to share your stories, questions, and concerns.
What do I bring to the table? Well, it may not be a list of certified pop bangers, but as Metro’s dedicated sex and relationships reporter I do know my stuff.
With so much misinformation out there on love and sex, I aim to bring you informed, impartial insights based on my years of work in this area.
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And Diana? She’ll be using those talented vocal chords to counsel you as a best friend or big sister, giving her signature hot takes and spilling her juiciest dating stories from over the years.
The first episode drops July 1, with a call from Hannah, 23, who’s never had a boyfriend but desperately wants to lose her virginity.
‘Every time I get close to it, I get nervous and freak out,’ she tells us. ‘I feel ready to have sex but it’s getting frustrating. Both my siblings are in their first serious relationships – I’m getting impatient.’
Hannah speaks about her time at an all girls’ school and how that may have hindered her in the boy department, as well as her fear and anxiety that builds up when an opportunity to have sex presents itself.
‘Honestly, my brain never learned how to be friends with males who are my age, who are attractive – I even get nervous talking to male colleagues,’ she says.
‘It’s the thought of going back to someone’s house, to a whole new environment and getting naked with someone who I don’t necessarily know.’
We also share our own stories of losing our V-cards, and while you’ll have to listen to the podcast for the full story of my first time, the words ‘it didn’t work’ were used. And for Diana an unwelcome interruption made things awkward.
Throughout the 12 episodes of season one, you’ll learn that Diana and I have had very different relationships with love and sex. Those of you who had positive sexual encounters in your early lives will find comfort in Diana’s stories.
If you’ve not had the sexual experiences you deserved when you were learning about your body, you’ll probably relate more to me – it’s a safe space.
We’re two sides of a coin, night and day – but it works. And when I say no topic is off limits on this podcast, I mean it.
I’ve found myself talking about my situationships (of which there have been a few), both good and mortifyingly bad. We’ve covered masturbation and self-pleasure, outercourse, sexual debuts, heartache and heartbreak… And we’re just getting started.
If there’s something you think we should be talking about then let us know on our group chat!
You don’t need to get shy because remember…
It’s Just Between Us.
New episodes of Just Between Us are released every Tuesday starting July 1.
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
