Love Island urged to do more to help ‘vulnerable’ stars after second death
THE reality show Love Island has come under fire for failing to support “vulnerable” contestants after a second death linked to the programme.
Mike Thalassitis, a 26-year-old former contestant on the ITV series, was found dead in woods near his home in Essex on Saturday in what were said to be non-suspicious circumstances.
While his fellow former contestants shared condolences on social media sites, some aired anger at what they believed was a lack of aftercare on leaving the programme.
Mr Thalassitis’s death follows that of Sophie Gradon, 32, who appeared on the show in 2016 and was found dead at her home in June last year.
The Daily Telegraph can today reveal that Ofcom and the British Psychological Society are working on guidelines to enforce the provision of best-conduct mental health practices for reality television contestants.
Dr Jo Hemmings, a behavioural expert who has been involved in drawing up the guidelines, said she hoped changes would be made.
“With a few notable exceptions, there is no aftercare or very little, and they will not be prepared for the glare of the spotlight when they come out,” she said.
“They can’t go back to their previous jobs. Their relationships fail and it is hard to make new ones because people have expectations from seeing them on TV. Their lives are turned upside down … the only way for many, many people who appear on reality TV is down.”
A number of former contestants echoed the concerns. Sophie Fenton, who appeared on the show in 2016, said on Twitter: “I hope this educates Love Island producers to provide the neces- sary support to everyone who enters the show. You get a ‘chat’ with a mental health nurse before you enter the villa but that’s it. Not a single thing after you leave … This cannot continue.” Dom Lever, another contestant, said: “You get a psychological evaluation before and after you go on the show, but hands down once you are done on the show, you don’t get any support.” Malin Andersson, who appeared in 2016 and lost a baby in January this year, said: “I got flowers from the producers when my daughter died. No f----phone call. No support.”
Ben Fogle, who made his name as an adventurer after he appeared on Castaway 2000, said: “We need to take a closer look at the connections between reality TV and mental health.” “Many critics like to point out that those who apply for reality shows should know what they are getting in to, but over the last 20 years I have noticed that reality TV often attracts and preys on the vulnerable.
“A lot of people want fame as a form of validation. The loss of fame can be pretty miserable.” He added: “Producers and broadcasters need to do more. They have a duty … to offer long-term, post-show support.” A spokesman for ITV denied accusations that the company was not doing enough. “Care for our Islanders is a process the show takes very seriously and is a continuous process for all those taking part,” he said. “We ensure that all of our contributors are able to access psychological support before, during and after appearing on the show. [We] will always provide ongoing support when needed and where appropriate. “We also discuss at length with all of our Islanders, before and after the show, how their lives might change and they have access to support and advice to help with this.”