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LOVE Island contestants have slammed the show for abandoning them once cameras stopped rolling after one of its biggest stars Mike Thalassitis was found hanged in a park in North London.

A string of former Islanders have rounded on the ITV2 hit for not helping them, with Mike's co-star Dom Lever insisting: "Once you are done on the show you don't get any support."

 The showbiz world has been left reeling by Mike's death aged just 26
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The showbiz world has been left reeling by Mike's death aged just 26Credit: Instagram/mike_thala

Mike, who police confirmed today was discovered hanged in Edmonton, is the second Love Island contestant to have died, after 2016 star Sophie Gradon was found dead in her flat in June last year.

Dom tweeted: "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 unless you're number one."

That was echoed by 2016 star Kady McDermott, who added: "Hopefully going forward reality shows will help more with the aftermath of being on one, because I can say it definitely didn’t happen after my series when lots of us needed it."

Another , claimed she was offered nothing more than a "chat" with a mental health nurse before being flung into the spotlight.

 This Instagram gym selfie was the last picture Mike posted
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This Instagram gym selfie was the last picture Mike postedCredit: Instagram/mike_thala
 He became a huge star after appearing on Love Island in 2017
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He became a huge star after appearing on Love Island in 2017Credit: Rex Features
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She wrote: "I hope this educates Love Island producers to provide the necessary 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.

"I hope to god this changes. This cannot continue."

Malin Andersson, whose four-week-old daughter Consy passed away in January, also rounded on the programme, writing: "WAKE UP @LoveIsland !!!!"

Mike Thalassitis  and Megan McKenna can't keep their hands off each other at Love Island party
 Mike with ex-girlfriend Megan McKenna last summer
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Mike with ex-girlfriend Megan McKenna last summerCredit: Getty Images - Getty

"I got flowers from the producers when my daughter died. No f**king phone call. No support, or help. Enough is enough."

She continued: "Nothing when my mum died. Nothing when Sophie died. Change needs to happen."

There is no suggestion that Love Island is responsible for Mike's death and The Sun Online has contacted a rep for the show for comment.

Mike died just days after the death of his beloved nan, whom he had moved in with to become her full-time carer.

 Mike had been a fanatic football player since childhood
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Mike had been a fanatic football player since childhoodCredit: Instagram
 He went on to play for teams including Bishop's Stortford FC
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He went on to play for teams including Bishop's Stortford FC

Taking to social media to pay their respects, stars said that they were shocked and devastated to hear of his passing.

Actress Sheridan Smith called Mike's death is a "massive wake up call", encouraging people who are struggling to seek help.

The 37-year-old tweeted: "This should be a massive wake-up call, I feel sick, reach out, sometimes to the most confident friend. We can only learn and try to change."

She also offered to directly help people starting out in the entertainment industry, adding: "Anything I can do. I think we owe it to these kids who don’t know what they are getting into."

 Sheridan Smith said Mike's death was a 'massive wake up call'
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Sheridan Smith said Mike's death was a 'massive wake up call'Credit: Refer to Caption

Chris Hughes, who appeared in the same series as Mike, tweeted: "His name was Mike Thalassitis, and every inch of my heart goes out to his family and friends. A good guy, taken far, far to soon."

Chris was the one who gave Mike his famous nickname after the reality star was branded "muggy" for trying to steal the heart of Olivia Attwood.

Olivia shared a broken heart emoji on Twitter, posting a photo of herself with Mike, writing: "Literally don't know what to say. Another one gone too young.

"Thinking of Mike's family and friends at this horrendous time. You will be missed terribly."

 Love Island star Sophie Gradon died last year aged 32
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Love Island star Sophie Gradon died last year aged 32Credit: Rex Features

Fellow Love Island star Sophie died in June last year aged 32, with the inquest into her untimely death scheduled to begin next week.

However, a representative for the coroner’s court said that Sophie’s parents have asked for the hearing to be cancelled so they could digest a new report.

The Love Island star was found dead by her boyfriend Aaron Armstrong at the age of just 32 at a house in her hometown of Newcastle.

Just 20 days after her shock death Aaron was also discovered dead in his Northumberland flat.

Mike's cause of death is not yet known and police are yet to release any information.

Megan McKenna and Mike Thalassitis eat McDonald's in bed after The Sun's Love Island launch party

 


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