Love Island cast given contracts warning they face 'mental pressure' by appearing on show after suicides
LOVE Island stars are given contracts warning of "pressure" they are likely to face by appearing on the show.
It comes after two of the reality TV contestants have taken their own lives after a stint in the villa.
The deaths raised questions about the aftercare given to the stars once the show ends, and now ITV bosses have brought in a measure to better prepare people for the sudden spotlight on their lives.
Mike Thalassitis, a star of the show in 2017, was found dead in a park in March.
The 26-year-old took his own life after a cocaine and booze binge, an inquest found earlier this month.
And former beauty queen Sophie Gradon's death also saw Love Island come under fire.
The 32-year-old tragically hanged herself last year in her family home.
She had reportedly told pals she felt anxious after "selling her soul" to appear on the show in 2016.
Yesterday ITV bosses went before the Commons culture select committee inquiry into reality TV and shared documents sent to people before they appear on Love Island and the Jeremy Kyle show.
As well as the 27-page contact with an aftercare form, the show also reaches out to their GPs to check if suicidal thoughts have been a factor in their history.
WHAT LOVE ISLAND STARS ARE TOLD
If you engage in sex we advise you to practise safe sex. However, if you engage in unsafe sex there are risks you are taking which you take full responsibility for.
Taking part in Love Island will hopefully be a very positive experience for you. However, when you resume your regular life, there are potential downsides to be aware of.
If you’re hoping that you will become famous by taking part in the show, there are no guarantees that this will happen. This is a dating show where the main goal is to find love.
You may find yourself in the public spotlight in ways that you didn’t anticipate, including press interest and negative comments on social media. You could become famous but then find that the public quickly loses interest.
Your family and friends, as well as your past actions, may also become the subject of negative press attention.
The stars are also told if they don't declare any mental health or psychological conditions they cannot claim damages for any issues following the show.
During the committee appearance the boss of Jeremy Kyle was also blasted after admitting the show's lie detector tests are not accurate, as he was quizzed following a guest's suicide.
Executive producer of the ITV show, Tom McLennan, told MPs he had no idea how accurate the tests were, but said the love-cheat tests are not always right.
And the head of aftercare, Graham Stanier, confessed: “I totally accept I don’t know the percentage of success or the percentage of failure.”
The show’s bosses were hauled into Parliament to be quizzed in the wake of the tragic death of Steve Dymond, 63, who overdosed days after failing the test on the show.
It was then axed after Steve was found dead by his landlady 10 days after appearing to try and convince his partner he hadn't been unfaithful.
In this year's series – running until July 29 – there are apparently strict rules for the contestants.
Following a huge wave of complaints surrounding the constant smoking in the villa after the series in 2017, ITV producers cracked down ahead of the fourth season last year.
And there is no nudity or unsafe sex allowed, with stars who have sex now required to see a therapist.
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost – to suicide.
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes. And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet, it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun has launched the You're Not Alone campaign. To remind anyone facing a tough time, grappling with mental illness or feeling like there's nowhere left to turn, that there is hope.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others. You're Not Alone.
For a list of support services available, please see the Where To Get Help box below.
WHERE TO GET HELP
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
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