LOVE ISLE STARS: WE WERE CUT OFF LIKE TRAGIC MIKE
Islanders blast ‘lack of support’
LOVE Island stars have blasted show bosses after the tragic death of Mike Thalassitis.
But ITV chiefs last night insisted they always offer help.
LOVE Island stars have blasted the show’s bosses after the death of Mike Thalassitis.
Former contestants say ITV chiefs abandoned them once the cameras stopped.
But telly chiefs hit back saying: “Care for our Islanders is a process the show takes very seriously.”
Fans were left reeling by the news Mike, nicknamed Muggy Mike on the show in 2017, had been found dead at the age of 26 on Saturday.
The former footballer had enjoyed a TV career since Love Island, appearing on E4’s Celebs Go Dating and MTV’s Ex On The Beach.
Yesterday the Met confirmed he was found hanged in a park in Edmonton, north London. His death is “not being treated as suspicious”.
Some ex-contestants are blaming ITV for failing to look after Mike as well as former Islander Sophie Gradon, who died last summer.
Dom Lever, who was also on the show in 2017, said: “You get a psychological evaluation before and after but once you are done on the show you don’t get any support unless you’re number one.”
His wife Jessica, who he met on Love Island, added: “Shows offer you ‘support’ but only while you are in their care.
“Minute you get home and are no longer making them money it’s out of sight out of mind.”
Rykard Jenkins, from Series 2, tweeted: “On a real the Big bosses at @ITV & @LoveIsland need to bring all there cast members into a room and have a proper talk as a group and see how we’re doing.”
Season 2 star Malin Andersson, 26, hit out at Love Island bosses saying she was only sent flowers by the ITV2 team when her four-week-old daughter Consy passed away in January.
Malin tweeted: “I got flowers from the producers when my daughter died.
“No f***ing phone call. No support, or help.”
Last night an ITV chief said: “Care for our Islanders is a process the show takes very seriously and is continuous for all those taking part.
“We ensure that all of our contributors are able to access psychological support before, during and after. The programme will always provide ongoing support when needed and appropriate.
“We also discuss at length with all of our islanders how their lives might change and they have access to support and advice to help with this.”