Virtually eight years in the past, I sat with Mike Thalassitis at an awards ceremony.
He was one of the vital charming males I had ever met; we talked about his household, his new restaurant and his time on Love Island.
A month later I reported on his dying, aged solely 26.
Mike had been in a ‘darkish place’ within the run-up to his suicide, the inquest was advised.
When it was introduced that Amazon Prime Video was releasing a two-part documentary analyzing the three deaths linked to the ITV courting present (Mike, Sophie Gradon and Caroline Flack), I used to be anxious.
The topic alone is delicate for a lot of. How do you even start to deal with a lot disappointment in two episodes?
I believed many more moderen Love Island viewers won’t concentrate on the darkish aspect of the present, the person tales of Sophie, Mike and Caroline, and the way a lot actuality TV has modified since then.
However The Curse of Love Island, which guarantees to disclose ‘the pressures of fame, on-line abuse and the devastating impression they will have’, reduces three very advanced and devastating deaths to an outdated and pointless query: who’s in charge?
“This is not about pointing the finger at a present, or an organization, or an individual,” psychologist Dr. Linda Papadopoulos displays within the docu-series. “There are infinite causes to create this type of good storm. It might be unfair to pick one commonality and say that was the one.”
Samaritans are right here to hear, day and night time, one year a yr. You’ll be able to name them free on 116 123, electronic mail [email protected] or go to samaritans.org for extra data.
Whereas lots of the present’s contributors agree that Love Island and ITV should not liable for what occurred, former contestants on the present, who must be thought-about the actual consultants, disagree.
Anton Danyluk, who appeared in collection 5 of the present in 2019 after which once more within the All Stars spin-off in 2024, declares ‘there is no such thing as a increased pinnacle than the summer time of getting ready for Love Island’, earlier than revealing the way it all got here crashing down for him.
Anton says he began consuming and taking medicine after his first look on the present earlier than ultimately attempting to commit suicide. He states that the long-term aftercare he wanted was not offered by the broadcaster.
Malin Andersson, who appeared within the present’s a lot rawer and unpolished season two in 2016, remembers her interval as “fairly poisonous, so superficial and synthetic,” earlier than revealing her monetary issues as soon as the celebrity and glory had all however disappeared.
A childhood good friend of Sophie Gradon, who dedicated suicide in 2018 on the age of 32, provides: ‘I want she had by no means achieved that present.’
The arguments and factors made within the present are put to ITV, who say in an announcement that their responsibility of care procedures have ‘developed considerably’ over time.
They’re now working with medical professionals in assessing welfare procedures and sustaining ‘proactive contact’ with islanders for 14 months after the present ends.
The documentary comes throughout as extra of a blame sport than an investigation into what occurred and why, and extra importantly, whereas the present continues to air to today, it begs the query: what wants to alter?
What it lacks are newer contestants who’ve skilled the present’s post-aftercare overhaul.
The Curse of Love Island: Key Particulars
Episodes
Two episodes (48 minutes and 47 minutes)
Director
Anabelle Marshall
Producers
Peter Beard, Josie Besbrode
Contributors
Anton Danyluk, Luis Morrison, Malin Andersson, Marcel Somerville, Orlaith Condon, Dr. Linda Papadopoulos, Dave Learn, Steven Douglass, Paula Akpan, Caroline Frost
The place to look
Amazon Prime Video
Love Island responsibility of care protocols
Preliminary filming and filming
A registered psychological well being skilled concerned all through the collection – from pre-filming to aftercare. Thorough pre-filming of psychological and medical assessments, together with assessments by an impartial physician, psychological guide and stories from every islander’s personal GP to examine medical historical past. Potential Islanders are required to make full disclosure in confidence of any medical historical past that might be related to their admission to the Villa and the manufacturing’s capacity to offer an appropriate setting for them. Managing Forged Expectations: Detailed explanations, each verbal and written, of the implications, each constructive and destructive, of taking part within the collection are given to potential forged members in the course of the casting course of and strengthened throughout the contract in order that it’s clear. The forged are advised that they need to contemplate all potential implications of taking part within the present and undergo this decision-making course of in session with their households and people closest to them, to make sure they really feel it’s proper for them. The senior crew on web site has undergone coaching in psychological well being first assist. A welfare crew devoted completely to the islanders, each in the course of the present and afterwards.
Aftercare
ITV encourages Islanders to safe administration to characterize them after the present and handle them in the event that they select to participate in different TV reveals, promoting campaigns or different public appearances. Bespoke coaching on methods to use social media and recommendation on funds and adjusting to life at residence. Every island resident is obtainable a minimal of eight remedy periods upon returning residence. Proactive contact with Islanders for a interval of 14 months after the collection during which they seem has ended, with extra help as wanted.
Are issues higher now? What’s going to help appear like in 2026? What occurs to former members when work dries up?
With out this, we’re left in a vicious cycle of the identical age-old debate about whether or not the present is match for follow and whether or not it must be canceled.
Other than three deaths linked to the present, Love Island has confronted accusations of racism, misogyny and classism through the years. That alone, some would possibly argue, is well worth the axe.
These are all issues that ought to have been woven into the unraveling of the very sophisticated historical past of one in all Britain’s hottest TV franchises, not least a point out of the murky world of actuality and tabloid reveals on this nation which have suffered comparable scandals (The Jeremy Kyle Present, Married at First Sight, and many others.)
Is there sufficient to substantiate claims of a “curse” with out trying on the present with a a lot wider lens? Completely not.
What it does do effectively is shine a light-weight on the three folks we misplaced, who should be remembered for a lot extra than simply Love Island.
The Curse of Love Island is now on Prime Video.
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