Mum of tragic Love Island star Sophie Gradon blasts government probe into reality TV in wake of Caroline Flack’s death
THE mum of tragic Love Island star Sophie Gradon has claimed the 'landmine' of suicides linked to reality TV has been 'swept under the carpet' by MPs.
Deborah Gradon spoke out following the death of Love Island host Caroline Flack, 40, who took her own life at her London flat on Saturday.
Caroline is the third person to kill themselves after appearing on the show in the last two years.
Sophie took her own life aged 32 in June 2018 having struggled with crippling anxiety and depression after taking part in the reality series.
Fellow contestant Mike Thalassitis, 26, was found hanged in a park in Edmonton, North London, in March last year.
The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee launched an inquiry into reality TV last year following Sophie and Mike's deaths and the suicide of Jeremy Kyle Show guest Steve Dymond.
But Deborah said the inquiry had been a whitewash and demanded MPs reopen its investigations into the issue.
She wrote on Twitter: "Inquiry into ITV’s duty of care to participants.
"The DCMS Committee’s decision to launch the inquiry into reality TV comes after the death of a guest on the Jeremy Kyle Show and the deaths of two former contestants in the reality dating show Love Island. NOW CONCLUDED.
"The inquiry has not been concluded but swept under the carpet. Not so much a lump but a landmine.
"Truth, respect and honesty are not a lot to ask for when precious lives are at risk. It's our RIGHT."
Sophie, a former Miss Great Britain, said after leaving the Love Island villa she had been the victim of intense cyber bullying and trolling.
In an interview, Sophie described it as "horrific".
She said: "I think when you get so many comments on the scale we did coming out of thousands of followers.
"There are fans and positive comments but people would focus on the negatives. Sometimes I would look for it. There would be so many negative comments. They are commenting on the way you look, the way you talk.
"They would come up with an opinion of you on a TV show where they’ve watched you for 45 minutes. And you’ve probably only be on ten minutes and its cut down from 24 hours."
Love Island host Caroline was found dead at her flat in Stoke Newington, North East London, on Saturday.
An ambulance had been called to her home at 10.30pm the previous night following a concern for welfare report but crews assessed she did not need hospital treatment.
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 launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
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.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, , 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,
- Mind, , 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus,, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, , 116 123
Pals say the 40-year-old had been tormented as she faced an assault trial after allegedly attacking boyfriend Lewis Burton, 27, at her then home in December last year.
Caroline was due to stand trial at Highbury magistrates court on March 4 charged with common assault after the December 12 incident in Islington, North London.
She strongly denied the charge and Lewis stood by her following her arrest saying he did not support the prosecution.
Caroline had made no secret of her mental health struggles since her first court appearance in December.
She had also spoken publicly and bravely about her long-standing issues.
In an Instagram post on October 14, she wrote: “I wanted to write something about mental health day last week but I was knee deep in work.
"And some days it’s hard to write your feelings or your not in the right place.
‘The last few weeks I’ve been in a really weird place . . . I find it hard to talk about it . . . I guess it’s anxiety and pressure of life . . . and when I actually reached out to someone they said I was draining.
"I feel like this is why some people keep their emotions to themselves.
"I certainly hate talking about my feelings. And being a burden is my biggest fear."
- If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123
