Love Island has finally responded to calls for better aftercare for Islanders

Ex-Islanders have been calling them out this weekend

8 years ago

Hayley Soen | News

Love Island producers have released a statement regarding the aftercare of ex contestants, after they were called out over the weekend by some Islanders.

Ex-Islanders such as Kady McDermott, Jessica Shears, Dom Lever and Malin Andersson have called out the ITV2 show, saying "change needs to happen" with the way Islanders are treated when they leave the show. This comes after the tragic news that Mike Thalassitis, a favourite from season three of the show, died on Saturday. It was later confirmed by police that he died by suicide, and tributes to him have been flooding in ever since.

It's not the first time former contestants have raised the issue of aftercare, many criticised the show after series two contestant Sophie Gradon passed away last year, aged 32.

Kady McDermott, from season two, said in a tweet that "reality shows need to help more with the aftermath". She also claims she did not receive help when she left the show.

https://twitter.com/kadymcdermottx/status/1106996890250432514

Jessica Shears, who was on the same series as Mike, said that when contestants leave the show they are "out of sight out of mind" and that "life after these shows isn't all it's cracked up to be".

Shows offer you ‘support’ but realistically it’s only while you are in their care. Minute you get home & are no longer making them money it’s out of sight out of mind. There should be ongoing support & also finacial advice. Life after these shows isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

— Jessica (@Jessica_Rose_UK) March 16, 2019

Her husband who she met on the show, Dom Lever, also spoke out, claiming only the winners of the show get any sort of Love Island aftercare. He said: "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".

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

— Dom Lever (@_DomLever) March 16, 2019

Season two favourite, Malin Andersson, whose daughter tragically died aged just one month old in January, had a particularly strong opinion. She directly told Love Island to "WAKE UP" and that "enough is enough", she also shared that she had received just a bunch of flowers from producers after her daughter's passing.

WAKE UP @LoveIsland !!!!

— Malin Andersson (@MissMalinSara) March 16, 2019

Enough is enough

— Malin Andersson (@MissMalinSara) March 16, 2019

Christa Pike ‘angry’ as she shares message from prison after surviving lethal injection

Praised Farage to full-on socialist: The Celebrity Traitors who are surprisingly super political

Bella Ramsey on Celebrity Traitors made me nervous as a queer person, but then came Ross Kemp

Nothing when my mum died. Nothing when Sophie died. Change needs to happen.

— Malin Andersson (@MissMalinSara) March 16, 2019

I got flowers from the producers when my daughter died. No fucking phone call. No support, or help.

— Malin Andersson (@MissMalinSara) March 16, 2019

Other ex-Islanders such as Alex Beattie and Rykard Jenkins also spoke out.

Not everyone sits and watches tv before they get asked to go on. I thought it was a dating show I’d not watched it before. Nor is it acceptable to be thrown in the deep end and expected to swim. I’m simply asking for more support where it’s needed.

— Alex (@_alexbeattie) March 16, 2019

On a real the Big bosses at @ITV & @LoveIsland need to bring all there cast members into a room and have a proper talk as a group and see how we’re doing.

That will help a lot.

— Rykard (@ItsRykard) March 17, 2019

Love Island producers have released a statement responding to everything that has been said. It read: "Care for our Islanders is a process the show takes very seriously and is a continuous process for all those taking part in the show.

"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 of our Islanders, before and after the show, how their lives might change and they have access to support and advice to help with this."

A rep for the show paid tribute to Mike Thalassitis, saying: "Everyone at ITV2 and Love Island are shocked and saddened by this terrible news. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Mike’s family and friends at this very sad time."