Love Island stars to be offered therapy after Mike Thalassitis' death, ITV confirms
They will also receive social media training and financial advise
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Your support makes all the difference.Future Love Island contestants will be offered therapy, social media training and financial advise.
ITV's announcement comes just days after Mike Thalassitis, who appeared on the show in 2017, was found dead in a north London park. Police are said to not be treating the death as suspicious.
Richard Cowles, creative director of ITV Studios, outlined the new plans in a letter to The Sun.
“When something so awful happens we naturally enter a period of soul searching and ask whether anything could have been done," the statement reads.
“This review has led us to extend our support processes to offer therapy to all Islanders and not only those that reach out to us. And we will be delivering bespoke training to all future Islanders to include social media and financial management.
"The key focus will be for us to no longer be reliant on the Islanders asking us for support but for us to proactively check in with them on a regular basis.”
Dr Paul Litchfield, a government mental health advisor, has been brought on board to independently review the arrangements.
Following the death of Thalassitis, who had been branded "Muggy Mike" on the show, multiple former Love Island stars called on ITV to introduce new measures to help those who shoot to fame on the series.
One former Love Island star, Kady McDermott, explained the detrimental impact instant fame can have when participants leave the villa.
"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," she tweeted.
"People's lives change overnight and no one can mentally be prepared for it. The good and the bad."
Sophie Gradon, who appeared on the show in 2016, was found dead last year. She had made history on the show as one half of the show's first same-sex couple with contestant Katie Salmon.
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For confidential support on mental health call Samaritans free from any phone, at any time, on 116 123 (UK & RoI) or email jo@samaritans.org. In the US call 1-800-273-TALK or chat online.