Guest column: Amy Hart

Earlier this month, it was revealed ITV have upped Love Island’s duty-of-care protocols that support Islanders before, during and after filming to include psychological support, social media training and how to handle negativity.

They now have to seek approval from ITV before they take on projects or brand deals, and aren’t allowed to join any other TV shows until 2022.

I think all of this is brilliant. When I came out of the villa in 2019 – after walking out when I split with Curtis Pritchard

– it was so great to see my family and friends and return home, but my life had totally changed. There’s great stuff, but there’s also negativity – trolls commenting on how you acted or your appearance. I do feel like

I left the villa at the right time, and that benefited me – by walking out, I left on my own terms. I was in a good place in that sense, but I did take ITV up on their offer of weekly therapy, because I wanted help understanding where my head was at.

I also think that it’s a great idea that the Islanders need permission, to begin with, for future projects. It can be a total whirlwind, so it’s good they are easing into it.

It protects the contestants, because it prevents them rushing into bad deals and having regrets, or overwhelming themselves. It’s important to pick projects that you’re passionate about. I ask myself whether I would be happy for my little cousins to see what I’m doing before I take a job.

So well done for ITV for stepping up. The Islanders entertained us all summer, so it’s great they are making sure they’ll be OK beyond the show.