'CHEWED UP, SPAT OUT'
Love Island stars urge ITV to protect contestants after the show ends following deaths of Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon
FORMER Love Island contestants have urged ITV to help protect reality stars from psychological trauma after show hunk Mike Thalassitis killed himself.
Zara Holland — dumped as Miss Great Britain after having sex on the show in 2016 — said care had not improved since Sophie Gradon’s suspected suicide last June.
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The 23-year-old blasted: “Contestants are chewed up and spat out. Nothing’s changed. There’s zero care — and now something terrible has happened again.”
Mike, 26, was found hanged in woodland in Edmonton, North London, on Saturday.
The former semi-pro footballer found fame on the 2017 series of the ITV2 dating show and was set to launch a restaurant.
He was said to be upset by his split last summer from Towie star and girlfriend of seven months Megan McKenna, 26.
He was also mourning the recent death of his gran, 94.
His death comes nine months after the suspected suicide of Sophie, 32, who was on the show’s 2016 series. She was found dead at home in Ponteland, near Newcastle.
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Her boyfriend, Aaron Armstrong, 25, died 20 days later. Sophie’s mum Anastacia paid tribute to Mike yesterday, wishing his family “love in your darkest hours.”
Zara added: “More must be done to help contestants. Yes, they have a psychiatrist behind-the-scenes but there is zero aftercare. You can’t just be forgotten.”
She said returning to real life when the “fame bubble bursts” is tough as internet trolls “target your weakest insecurity.”
Zara added: “You have money coming in left, right and centre. You have lots of people that want to be your friend but they only want to use you.
“But then the new series comes out a year later and no one wants to pay you.”
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Zara said reality shows should arrange weekly therapy sessions for contestants for one to two years after they leave.
She also blasted ITV for selling Love Island to Netflix because contestants will face their embarrassments all over again.
Politicians also urged TV companies to look after reality stars’ welfare.
Suicide Prevention Minister Jackie Doyle-Price told The Sun: “Every death by suicide is preventable. Many organisations can play their part in suicide prevention and I am really pleased that the Sun is launching this campaign.
“Suicide happens when people feel they can’t cope anymore. No one should feel like they can’t ask for help.
“Being in the public eye brings with it additional pressure. Reality TV stars become celebrities overnight.
“That pressure doesn’t end when the show is over.
“It is incumbent on the producers of these programmes to consider the emotional wellbeing of their stars and what more they can do to prevent their stars coming to harm.”
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WHERE TO GET HELP
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
Barbara Keeley, the Shadow Cabinet Minister for Mental Health, urged television companies to “do the right thing” for stars.
Norman Lamb, former Lib Dem Health Minister, said TV companies must accept that they have a “duty of care”.
He added: “There are sometimes profound consequences flowing from participating in popular shows.
“Along with celebrity comes risk. The companies responsible need to recognise that and provide proper support.”
Celebrity Big Brother star Chloe Goodman said: “How many more deaths do we need before the cries for help are heard?”
Mike’s manager and close friend, Dave Read of Neon Management, added: “It’s with great sadness that I can confirm Mike took his own life.
“His family and close friends are devastated as he was a loyal, loving and kind-hearted soul who would always look out for them.
“Mike loved his job and enjoyed all the trappings that came with being a reality star.
“But losing such a young life in this way is an absolute tragedy and shows why anybody who is battling a mental health issue shouldn’t feel scared to speak up.
“If we can learn anything about Mike’s passing it’s that we should destroy this stigma that young men can’t talk about their problems.
“They should be encouraged to speak, otherwise this will keep on happening.”
Model Jessica Shears, 25, who took part in the same series as Mike, claimed ITV were interested only in profiting from contestants before discarding them.
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She said: “Shows offer you ‘support’ but realistically it’s only while you are in their care.
“The minute you get home and are no longer making them money it’s out of sight, out of mind.
“There should be ongoing support and also financial advice. Life after these shows isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be.”
Kady McDermott, 23, who was in the 2016 show, 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.
“People’s lives change overnight and no one can mentally be prepared for it, the good and bad.”
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Tyla Carr and Mike Thalassitis dumped from Love Island after public vote
He is now a mental health campaigner for Childline.
He said: “I am passionate about trying to open up the conversation around mental health.”
Yesterday ITV insisted that it took welfare of Love Island contestants “very seriously”.
It said psychologists and medical help were available “before, during and after” shows.
A spokeswoman said: “Care for our Islanders is a continuous process for all those taking part.
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“We ensure that all of our contributors are able to access psychological support before, during and after appearing on the show.
“The programme will always provide ongoing support when needed and where appropriate.
“We also discuss at length with all our Islanders, before and after the show, how their lives might change. They have access to support and advice to help with this.”
Megan McKenna breaks down as she opened up on split from Mike Thalassitis on Celebs Go Dating
SUN BID TO HELP CUT THE TOLL
TODAY The Sun launches a new campaign to raise awareness of suicide prevention and help combat the tragic numbers of young people taking their own lives.
An unacceptable 1,600 people under 35 die each year by suicide - a staggering three quarters of whom are men.
Backed by leading suicide prevention charity, Papyrus, we are urging those driven to think about suicide to TALK , to share their concerns with friends, loved ones and professionals before it is too late.
And, our Let’s Talk campaign - last night backed by all three major political parties - asks those same friends and loved ones to talk to anyone they feel is acting suicidal.
Below we hear from Papyrus boss, Ged Flynn, who says: “We need to help children and young people know that all human beings struggle.
“We can’t protect them from pain, but by having open conversations, we can make sure they know they have choices.”
Last night Suicide Prevention Minister Jackie Doyle-Price said: “Every death by suicide is preventable. Many organisations can play their part in suicide prevention and I am really pleased that the Sun is launching this campaign.
“Suicide happens when people feel they can’t cope anymore. No one should feel like they can’t ask for help.”
Labour’s shadow minister for mental health, Barbara Keeley MP, said: “Mike Thalassitis’ tragic death should be a wake-up call to the whole country about the emotional pressures that young people face today, not least when they are thrust into the limelight.
“Mental ill health and suicide among our young people is one of the greatest challenges of our times and needs to be recognised and combatted right across society.
“That is why I am backing the campaign by the Sun and Papyrus to encourage people to speak up about their mental health.”
Lib Dem MP Norman Lamb, a former health minister, added: “I strongly support this campaign and thank The Sun for making a stand.
“We can do much more, as a country, to save lives.”
- IF you’ve been affected by issues in this story, call Samaritans on 116 123 or email [email protected].