Love Island star Sophie Gradon called for action against trolls who ‘drive people to suicide’
TRAGIC Love Island star Sophie Gradon called for action to stop trolls who drive people to suicide weeks before she is feared to have taken her own life.
Sophie, 32, told a cyber bullying conference in March she “descended into a dark place” after the ITV2 show because of vicious online abuse.
She told the conference in Leeds that action was needed because “kids as young as nine are taking their own lives”.
She said: “Online bullying is as destructive as face-to-face bullying, sometimes worse.
“Trolls leave you feeling vulnerable, unsafe and upset.”
She was invited to speak at the conference in Leeds in March with fellow Love Islander Zara Holland, who was also hit by depression after appearing on the show with Sophie in 2016.
The pair spoke movingly about how they had been plunged into a pit of despair because of online abuse.
Sophie, 32, said: “No-one anticipated [Love Island’s] success and in an instant I was catapulted from every day life into the limelight. We became public property overnight and everyone had an opinion both good and bad.
“On leaving the show I descended into quite a dark dark place owing to the amount of negativity focused towards me.
“There were positives and some lovely people but I would always let the negatives outweigh the positives.
“I started to believe what these people were saying about me was true.”
Sophie also opened up about her abuse from trolls online in a final interview before her death.
Speaking to Radio Aire, also alongside Zara, she said: “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.”
She added: “The harsh reality is, it can end up with that person taking their own life. And as you’ve seen in the media, that is what happens. Can you imagine being responsible for that?”
Sophie had previously shared messages on social media about her mental health struggles.
Writing to a fan last year, she tweeted: “Hi guys, no not dead just battling a little bit of depression. I’ll come back I promise x”.
She added in October: “Feel so guilty when my anxiety takes over, for not wanting to see or speak to anyone. Some days I get so overwhelmed I just want to nap!”
A source close to Sophie’s family told The Sun Online: “Social media has a lot to answer for. She had the world at her feet but was so unhappy.
“Her parents are in turmoil. Their world is broken in two.”
After Sophie’s death, co-star Zara also shared her battle with depression, warning Love Island contestants: “You will be haunted by this for the rest of your life.”
The former Miss Great Britain, who was stripped of her title after having sex on the show, is now on anti-depressants.
And she urged show chiefs to give extra support to those who need it.
She said: “I changed as a person. I didn’t want to go out or socialise. I came out of Love Island and they didn’t contact me.
“I didn’t hear from anyone. Love Island called me for the first time in two years on Thursday to ask if I was OK. Funny they call me now when something terrible has happened.
“People applying need to know how serious things can be.
“They see a claim to fame, they don’t see that in ten years’ time, when you’re married with babies, you’ll still be haunted for the rest of your life.”
ITV2 said: “All islanders are offered psychological support before, during and after their time in the villa. We take our duty of care very seriously.”
Sophie was found dead last Wednesday at her parents’ house near Newcastle.
Police have said there were no suspicious circumstances.
The former Miss GB was said to be in “good spirits” in the hours before her suspected suicide.
She gave no impression of being unwell when she arrived to stay at her parents’ home near Newcastle – which she had promised to house-sit while they were on holiday.
She was discovered by her devastated boyfriend Aaron Armstrong who posted an emotional tribute on Instagram.
He said: “To think I will never see your beautiful smile again haunts me you are the girl of my dreams we spoke of having kids and spending the rest of our lives together.
“I’m so devastated that we will never get that chance to grow old together and raise a family I love you will all my heart Sophie u will always be in my heart you are my angel and I know that you will be by my side everyday.”
- If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans free on 116123.