How disrespectful... Love Island airs explicit scenes after tribute to tragic star
ITV has been accused of insensitivity after airing sordid footage of a couple having sex on Love Island the day after a former contestant’s death.
Thursday night’s episode of the reality show began with a tribute to Sophie Gradon, who is believed to have killed herself the previous evening aged 32.
But the same instalment ended with a sleazy scene that saw contestants Megan Hanson, 24, and Eyal Booker, 22, getting steamy between the sheets at Love Island’s Majorcan villa.
Friends of Miss Gradon, who was found dead at her parents’ home near Newcastle on Wednesday night, criticised ITV for airing footage of the couple sharing a passionate kiss and moving vigorously under fur bedsheets. Her friend of ten years, Big Brother star Sallie Axl, 29, accused ITV of abandoning reality stars.
Miss Gradon, who was privately educated and had a university degree, had complained about online trolling and feeling stressed and anxious after appearing on the 2016 series of Love Island.
Miss Axl told the Daily Mail: ‘[The sex scene] was insensitive to everything that is going on on the outside. I don’t think they even needed to put Eyal and Megan in it. They use young people for entertainment and don’t think about how these people are after people and behave The programmes even the DJ into ‘outrageously’. show’. and fire having makeup those She encourage sex claimed who artist on screen young don’t reality said Love platform of a mental Island of the health should show’ helpline. have to give ‘used details the
which The ITV2 first aired dating in 2015, programme, became notorious last year for its sex scenes. Fans were also quick to comment over the inappropriate timing of the latest romp, which is believed to be the first time a couple has had sex this series.
One complained online: ‘So they haven’t got time to do a proper tribute to Sophie’s death, but they can show Megan and Eyal?’ Another added: ‘It was rather a disappointing tribute to Sophie Gradon on Love Island last night. ITV should really be using their platform to help people with mental health issues.’ Miss Gradon, a former Miss Great Britain, is believed to have been house- sitting for her parents, who run a landscaping business, when she was found dead at their home in Ponteland, Northumberland. Her cousin Charlotte Martin, 26, yesterday paid tribute to ‘caring and hilarious’ Miss Gradon, who she had ‘idolised’ growing up. Last night ITV had not responded to a request for comment.