Love Island could see ITV pulled off air, warns Ofcom boss

TELLY channels face being taken off air if Love Island and similar shows fail to look after contestants, TV watchdog Ofcom says.

The news came just two weeks into the new series of the controversial ITV2 dating contest.

Stars of previous series — who found themselves in the limelight — later took their own lives, raising questions over how much help they received in dealing with their sudden fame.

Adam Baxter, director of broadcasting standards for the telly watchdog, told the Radio Times: “We have the power in the most serious of cases to fine broadcasters or take away their licence to broadcast.”

He said TV bosses now have a duty of care to those “who might be at risk of significant harm”, primarily vulnerable people and those not used to being in the public eye.

Mr Baxter explained: “We are talking about shows like Love Island that attract a high level of media or social media interest, involve conflict, emotionally challenging situations, or require a person to disclose life-changing or private aspects of their lives.

“We’ve also made clear that, before a person agrees to take part in a TV or radio show, broadcasters must tell them about any possible risks to their welfare, and how they will seek to minimise these.”

Love Island contestant Mike Thalassitis was found in a park in Edmonton, North London, in 2019 after committing suicide, aged 26.

He was caught up in the glare of publicity following the show and was later said to have found himself “in a dark place”.

In the same year a coroner recorded that ­former Love Islander Sophie Gradon took her own life.

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She was 32.

ITV later said it would be offering contestants training.

Shannon Singh, who was the first to be evicted this year, praised the show’s support.