Love Island USA is urging fans to stay calm and be mindful ahead of the show’s season 6 reunion, which drops August 19 on Peacock.
The popular reality show took to social media with a plea for civility ahead of what is rumored to be a high-drama reunion for the cast. The message came after one cast member spoke out about feeling “exhausted” by the experience of appearing on the dating show.
‘Love Island USA’ reminds fans that the cast are real people (L-r) Serena Page, JaNa Craig, and Leah Kateb attend ‘Love Island USA: The Reunion’ photo call at Chelsea Studios on August 14, 2024 in New York City | John Nacion/Getty Images
Last week, the Love Island USA Season 6 cast descended on New York City to film the reunion. Around the same time, rumors began to circulate that there would be no shortage of drama when the islanders came together on stage.
The popular reality show took to social media with a plea for civility ahead of what is rumored to be a high-drama reunion for the cast. The message came after one cast member spoke out about feeling “exhausted” by the experience of appearing on the dating show.
‘Love Island USA’ reminds fans that the cast are real people (L-r) Serena Page, JaNa Craig, and Leah Kateb attend ‘Love Island USA: The Reunion’ photo call at Chelsea Studios on August 14, 2024 in New York City | John Nacion/Getty Images
Last week, the Love Island USA Season 6 cast descended on New York City to film the reunion. Around the same time, rumors began to circulate that there would be no shortage of drama when the islanders came together on stage.
- 8/19/2024
- by Megan Elliott
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Love Island, The Traitors, Love Is Blind: they’re so popular, they’ve gone global. Reality TV is an ever-evolving beast that can guarantee hefty viewership with the promise of drama. But show bosses in the U.K. are facing an influx of concerns surrounding the welfare of their contestants and crew. A two-pronged problem has emerged.
On Tuesday last week, the BBC confirmed a myriad of welfare measures are to be put in place on its beloved dance competition series Strictly Come Dancing — watched by an average of 6.6 million people per episode in 2023 — after two former professionals on the show had exited following allegations of “gross misconduct.”
Tim Davie, the broadcaster’s director-general, issued an apology as the company’s annual report was released. Though he did not refer to any specific competitors or employees, he spoke about “a degree of competitiveness, hard work and will to do...
On Tuesday last week, the BBC confirmed a myriad of welfare measures are to be put in place on its beloved dance competition series Strictly Come Dancing — watched by an average of 6.6 million people per episode in 2023 — after two former professionals on the show had exited following allegations of “gross misconduct.”
Tim Davie, the broadcaster’s director-general, issued an apology as the company’s annual report was released. Though he did not refer to any specific competitors or employees, he spoke about “a degree of competitiveness, hard work and will to do...
- 7/26/2024
- by Lily Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Former X Factor contestant Katie Waissel has retrained as a lawyer in order to sue Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment for “ruining her life”.
Competing in 2010 on the popular British singing show, Waissel was considered the “most hated” contestant of the series by audiences.
At the time, she received acid attack threats online and death threats, allegedly from al-Qaeda, which she said caused her to suffer panic attacks and suicidal thoughts.
Since then, she’s seen therapists to treat post-traumatic stress disorder.
“The show ruined my life,” Waissel told The Times in a new interview.
In April 2021, she established the Owhl Foundation, a charity aiming to “oversee the welfare, human rights and liberty within the creative industry sector”.
A year later, she “fought tooth and nail” to join Bpp University in London’s postgraduate law course after deciding to retrain as a lawyer. Qualifying in July, the 36-year-old Waissel is...
Competing in 2010 on the popular British singing show, Waissel was considered the “most hated” contestant of the series by audiences.
At the time, she received acid attack threats online and death threats, allegedly from al-Qaeda, which she said caused her to suffer panic attacks and suicidal thoughts.
Since then, she’s seen therapists to treat post-traumatic stress disorder.
“The show ruined my life,” Waissel told The Times in a new interview.
In April 2021, she established the Owhl Foundation, a charity aiming to “oversee the welfare, human rights and liberty within the creative industry sector”.
A year later, she “fought tooth and nail” to join Bpp University in London’s postgraduate law course after deciding to retrain as a lawyer. Qualifying in July, the 36-year-old Waissel is...
- 1/16/2023
- by Inga Parkel
- The Independent - TV
Love Island contestants will be restricted from accessing their social media accounts this winter season.
The upcoming change is being made in an effort to protect the contestants from the “adverse effects of social media”.
According to The Guardian, it comes in response to the latest season’s drama, which resulted in viewers bombarding Ofcom with thousands of complaints.
Typically, contestants’ accounts are managed by friends, relatives or PR teams in order to increase support and expand their brand while they’re away at the villa.
However, for the first time ever, contestants will be asked that nothing be posted to their Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter accounts on their behalf for the duration of season nine.
Instead, they will receive “guidance and training around mutually respectful behaviour in relationships”.
“The bold decision to pause Islanders’ social media activity during the new series is testament to ITV’s serious intent, especially...
The upcoming change is being made in an effort to protect the contestants from the “adverse effects of social media”.
According to The Guardian, it comes in response to the latest season’s drama, which resulted in viewers bombarding Ofcom with thousands of complaints.
Typically, contestants’ accounts are managed by friends, relatives or PR teams in order to increase support and expand their brand while they’re away at the villa.
However, for the first time ever, contestants will be asked that nothing be posted to their Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter accounts on their behalf for the duration of season nine.
Instead, they will receive “guidance and training around mutually respectful behaviour in relationships”.
“The bold decision to pause Islanders’ social media activity during the new series is testament to ITV’s serious intent, especially...
- 12/30/2022
- by Inga Parkel
- The Independent - TV
Love Island contestants will have their social media accounts taken away for the duration of the upcoming winter season and receive “guidance and training around mutually respectful behavior in relationships” following thousands of complaints earlier this year.
For the first time in the show’s history, the ninth winter season will oblige the contestants to pause all activity on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and nothing will be published on their behalf.
Ordinarily, Islanders’ accounts are overseen by friends, relatives or PR professionals during their time in the villa, in order to drum up support and build up their brand.
“The bold decision to pause Islanders’ social media activity during the new series is testament to ITV’s serious intent, especially as this input provides both a benefit to the appeal of the programme and a potential source of mental health problems,” said Dr Matthew Gould, a Psychologist who consults on the Lifted Entertainment show.
For the first time in the show’s history, the ninth winter season will oblige the contestants to pause all activity on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and nothing will be published on their behalf.
Ordinarily, Islanders’ accounts are overseen by friends, relatives or PR professionals during their time in the villa, in order to drum up support and build up their brand.
“The bold decision to pause Islanders’ social media activity during the new series is testament to ITV’s serious intent, especially as this input provides both a benefit to the appeal of the programme and a potential source of mental health problems,” said Dr Matthew Gould, a Psychologist who consults on the Lifted Entertainment show.
- 12/30/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The eighth series of Love Island, the UK’s hit dating reality show, has confounded critics who thought it would lose its appeal with the introduction of more robust guidelines to preserve contestants’ mental health.
The show has bagged the top slot with British TV audiences in the prized 9pm slot since it returned last month to an audience of five million – the show’s biggest launch in its eight-year run.
Since then, it has broken ITV’s record with more than 100million streams in less than four weeks, and drawn 57.2 per cent of live viewers in the hard-to-reach 16-34 age bracket, music to the ears of ITV and potential advertisers. This year, the show is sponsored by Just Eat.
Exclusive: Love Island’s Producer And Narrator Discuss ‘Toxic Masculinity’ After Two Dramatic Exits From This Year’s Show
While some critics have complained that the sparky voiceover by commentator...
The show has bagged the top slot with British TV audiences in the prized 9pm slot since it returned last month to an audience of five million – the show’s biggest launch in its eight-year run.
Since then, it has broken ITV’s record with more than 100million streams in less than four weeks, and drawn 57.2 per cent of live viewers in the hard-to-reach 16-34 age bracket, music to the ears of ITV and potential advertisers. This year, the show is sponsored by Just Eat.
Exclusive: Love Island’s Producer And Narrator Discuss ‘Toxic Masculinity’ After Two Dramatic Exits From This Year’s Show
While some critics have complained that the sparky voiceover by commentator...
- 7/17/2022
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: ITV’s popular reality TV game show Love Island is in the spotlight once again. The polarizing dating program, back on UK screens for an eighth season, remains appointment viewing for its many fans. For others, the format still raises concerns.
This eight-week season began with a bang and interest has remained strong. The launch episode in early June hit 5 million views, making it the franchise’s biggest premiere since 2019.
Last week’s dramatic Casa Amor recoupling achieved the show’s highest overnight audience since the 2019 Love Island final. Almost 4 million tuned in real-time across all devices, including a TV audience of 3 million which was up on the equivalent episode last year by 800,000. Social media has been abuzz each night with memes and quips relating to the show.
Season 8 has included the perennial bust ups and love-ins, outsized characters and social media ‘villains’, hilarious and cringe moments. But this...
This eight-week season began with a bang and interest has remained strong. The launch episode in early June hit 5 million views, making it the franchise’s biggest premiere since 2019.
Last week’s dramatic Casa Amor recoupling achieved the show’s highest overnight audience since the 2019 Love Island final. Almost 4 million tuned in real-time across all devices, including a TV audience of 3 million which was up on the equivalent episode last year by 800,000. Social media has been abuzz each night with memes and quips relating to the show.
Season 8 has included the perennial bust ups and love-ins, outsized characters and social media ‘villains’, hilarious and cringe moments. But this...
- 7/15/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
The 2022 cast of “Love Island” will be given extended duty of care protocols and offered inclusion training, ITV and Lifted Entertainment confirmed today.
The eighth season of ‘Love Island’ is set to air this summer (pictured above: season 7 contestants).
The inclusion training, which will be delivered by Black Collective of Media in Sport’s Leon Mann, diversity, equity and inclusion consultant Hayley Bennett, disability specialist Shani Dhanda and broadcaster Sean Fletcher, will cover language around “disability, sexuality, race and ethnicity, behaviours and microaggressions,” according to ITV.
It will be offered to participants before they enter the villa.
Meanwhile welfare measures will be in place “before, during and after filming,” ITV confirmed. These include psychological support, social media training (including how to handle abuse on social media) and financial management training.
ITV’s extended duty of care protocols come after the show was rocked by three deaths in three years: former...
The eighth season of ‘Love Island’ is set to air this summer (pictured above: season 7 contestants).
The inclusion training, which will be delivered by Black Collective of Media in Sport’s Leon Mann, diversity, equity and inclusion consultant Hayley Bennett, disability specialist Shani Dhanda and broadcaster Sean Fletcher, will cover language around “disability, sexuality, race and ethnicity, behaviours and microaggressions,” according to ITV.
It will be offered to participants before they enter the villa.
Meanwhile welfare measures will be in place “before, during and after filming,” ITV confirmed. These include psychological support, social media training (including how to handle abuse on social media) and financial management training.
ITV’s extended duty of care protocols come after the show was rocked by three deaths in three years: former...
- 5/27/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Contestants on this year’s Love Island will take part in inclusion training and hear from former Islanders before appearing on the show as producer, ITV Studios’ Lifted Entertainment, boosts its duty of care protocols for season eight.
Ahead of the series, which launches shortly on ITV 2, the Islanders will be offered video training and guidance covering inclusive language around disability, sexuality, race and ethnicity, behaviors and microaggressions.
A number of experts will helm the training, which is designed to create a safe space within the Love Is land villa, while contestants will also watch a video fronted by the show’s exec and head of welfare interviewing former participants about their experiences such as being filmed 24/7 and dealing with social media trolling.
The move forms part of a package of improvements to the Love Island duty of care procedures, which are now highly extensive including thorough pre-filming psychological assessments,...
Ahead of the series, which launches shortly on ITV 2, the Islanders will be offered video training and guidance covering inclusive language around disability, sexuality, race and ethnicity, behaviors and microaggressions.
A number of experts will helm the training, which is designed to create a safe space within the Love Is land villa, while contestants will also watch a video fronted by the show’s exec and head of welfare interviewing former participants about their experiences such as being filmed 24/7 and dealing with social media trolling.
The move forms part of a package of improvements to the Love Island duty of care procedures, which are now highly extensive including thorough pre-filming psychological assessments,...
- 5/27/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
ITV managing director Kevin Lygo used questionable phrasing to defend the duty of care standards applied to the channel’s juggernaut show “Love Island,” which has lost two former contestants and its host Caroline Flack to suicide.
In a discussion of the 25,000 complaints lodged against an episode of the most recent season, which saw contestant Faye Winter verbally abuse her partner Teddy Soares, Lygo said the channel’s duty of care overall was the “gold standard” for the industry.
“So, with how people are selected [for ‘Love Island’], you know, GPs [doctors] are consulted. People are psychoanalyzed to death now,” said Lygo. “Loads of people don’t make it through and find themselves on other programs that maybe aren’t so rigorous.”
The term “pscyhoanalyzed to death” shocked those watching his virtual Edinburgh TV Festival session on Wednesday given the sensitivities around the deaths by suicide of Flack, Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis...
In a discussion of the 25,000 complaints lodged against an episode of the most recent season, which saw contestant Faye Winter verbally abuse her partner Teddy Soares, Lygo said the channel’s duty of care overall was the “gold standard” for the industry.
“So, with how people are selected [for ‘Love Island’], you know, GPs [doctors] are consulted. People are psychoanalyzed to death now,” said Lygo. “Loads of people don’t make it through and find themselves on other programs that maybe aren’t so rigorous.”
The term “pscyhoanalyzed to death” shocked those watching his virtual Edinburgh TV Festival session on Wednesday given the sensitivities around the deaths by suicide of Flack, Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis...
- 8/25/2021
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Between the azure waters, caramel-coloured sand and taut beach bodies, ITV Studios’ hit reality TV dating show “Love Island,” which returned to British screens this week, offers viewers a Mediterranean dream away from their own humdrum lives. The strapline on the U.S. version is “Escape Nightly.”
The show’s premise is, of course, to find love and some couples have gone the distance after meeting in the infamous “Love Island” villa, with a handful even going on to get married and have children. Even “Love Island’s” latest presenter, Laura Whitmore, and its long-time narrator, Iain Stirling, are now coupled up, after reportedly meeting at an ITV party several years ago.
But romance isn’t the only — or even the primary — impetus for many contestants. Instead, they’re lured onto the show by the promise of untold fame and riches. “Going on ‘Love Island’ now is like winning the lottery,...
The show’s premise is, of course, to find love and some couples have gone the distance after meeting in the infamous “Love Island” villa, with a handful even going on to get married and have children. Even “Love Island’s” latest presenter, Laura Whitmore, and its long-time narrator, Iain Stirling, are now coupled up, after reportedly meeting at an ITV party several years ago.
But romance isn’t the only — or even the primary — impetus for many contestants. Instead, they’re lured onto the show by the promise of untold fame and riches. “Going on ‘Love Island’ now is like winning the lottery,...
- 6/30/2021
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
It was a straight up fight between dating and soccer for U.K. television audiences on Monday evening as the Euros squared off against the first episode of “Love Island” season 7.
ITV Studios’ “Love Island,” which premiered at 9 p.m., achieved a peak of 2.8 million (13.1%) near the end of its 95-minute episode on ITV. It had an average viewership of 2.5 million (11.9%). The ratings were published in U.K. outlet Broadcast, with figures supplied by Overnights.tv.
In the ongoing UEFA Euro 2020 soccer championship, Spain defeated Croatia while fancied France were eliminated by Switzerland in a shock result after a penalty shootout. The latter game attracted a mighty 10.5 million (58.9%) viewers, also on ITV, while over on the BBC, the Wimbledon tennis tournament attracted 3.3 million (17%).
According to Broadcast, the “Love Island” numbers lagged behind its 2019 summer edition, which drew 3.4 million (19.3%), and its inaugural 2020 winter edition, which attracted 2.7 million (13.7%).
The contestants — or “Islanders...
ITV Studios’ “Love Island,” which premiered at 9 p.m., achieved a peak of 2.8 million (13.1%) near the end of its 95-minute episode on ITV. It had an average viewership of 2.5 million (11.9%). The ratings were published in U.K. outlet Broadcast, with figures supplied by Overnights.tv.
In the ongoing UEFA Euro 2020 soccer championship, Spain defeated Croatia while fancied France were eliminated by Switzerland in a shock result after a penalty shootout. The latter game attracted a mighty 10.5 million (58.9%) viewers, also on ITV, while over on the BBC, the Wimbledon tennis tournament attracted 3.3 million (17%).
According to Broadcast, the “Love Island” numbers lagged behind its 2019 summer edition, which drew 3.4 million (19.3%), and its inaugural 2020 winter edition, which attracted 2.7 million (13.7%).
The contestants — or “Islanders...
- 6/29/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran and Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
ITV’s top dating reality series, “Love Island,” has revealed its contestants — or “Islanders” as they’re known on the show — for its seventh season.
They include self-described “social butterfly” Liberty Poole, a waitress and marketing student; luxury events host Aaron Francis, who has worked at not one but two royal weddings; and “outrageous” civil servant Sharon Gaffka, who, during a stint at the Department of Health, spent part of the pandemic delivering testing kits and managing operations.
The trio will be joined by Hugo Hammond, a perennially single physical education teacher; model and “party girl” Shannon Singh; water engineer Jake Cornish, who recently emerged from a seven-year relationship; and fashion blogger Kaz Kamwi, who describes herself as “dramatic.” “Laid-back” labourer Brad McClelland has also been added to the line-up.
The rest of the cast will be revealed throughout Monday. The show, which is filmed in a Mallorca villa, uses...
They include self-described “social butterfly” Liberty Poole, a waitress and marketing student; luxury events host Aaron Francis, who has worked at not one but two royal weddings; and “outrageous” civil servant Sharon Gaffka, who, during a stint at the Department of Health, spent part of the pandemic delivering testing kits and managing operations.
The trio will be joined by Hugo Hammond, a perennially single physical education teacher; model and “party girl” Shannon Singh; water engineer Jake Cornish, who recently emerged from a seven-year relationship; and fashion blogger Kaz Kamwi, who describes herself as “dramatic.” “Laid-back” labourer Brad McClelland has also been added to the line-up.
The rest of the cast will be revealed throughout Monday. The show, which is filmed in a Mallorca villa, uses...
- 6/21/2021
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
The producers of ITV’s popular but troubled series “Love Island” on Wednesday released a set of “duty of care” protocols ahead of the show’s highly anticipated seventh season, which launches June 28.
The measures include welfare plans “to support participants before, during and after filming.”
The unusual step of detailing the protocols follows extensive discussion of the show’s duty of care towards its contestants after being rocked by three suicides, including that of its host Caroline Flack, within 24 months.
Season 2 contestant Sophie Gradon died by suicide in June 2018. The following March, Mike Thalassitis, who appeared on season 3 of the show, also died by suicide. In February 2020, the show’s longtime host Caroline Flack died by suicide while awaiting trial on assault charges after allegedly attacking her boyfriend.
ITV’s new protocols include guidance on pre-filming, filming and “aftercare”, including:
Assessments by doctors, psychologists and contestants’ own general practitioners Social media training,...
The measures include welfare plans “to support participants before, during and after filming.”
The unusual step of detailing the protocols follows extensive discussion of the show’s duty of care towards its contestants after being rocked by three suicides, including that of its host Caroline Flack, within 24 months.
Season 2 contestant Sophie Gradon died by suicide in June 2018. The following March, Mike Thalassitis, who appeared on season 3 of the show, also died by suicide. In February 2020, the show’s longtime host Caroline Flack died by suicide while awaiting trial on assault charges after allegedly attacking her boyfriend.
ITV’s new protocols include guidance on pre-filming, filming and “aftercare”, including:
Assessments by doctors, psychologists and contestants’ own general practitioners Social media training,...
- 6/16/2021
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
‘Love Island’ was back on air Monday for the first time since the death of former host Caroline Flack on Feb. 15. Amid the reality series’ return, broadcaster ITV insists it supported the star after she was removed from the show.
Monday night’s episode began somberly with narrator Iain Stirling providing voiceover over scenes of crashing waves and South Africa’s coastline.
“We are all absolutely devastated by the tragic news that Caroline, a much loved member of our ‘Love Island’ family, has passed away,” said Stirling, who is never seen on the show. “Caroline and me were together from the very start of ‘Love Island,’ and her passion, warm and enthusiasm connected with millions of viewers.
He continued, “Right now, we are all just trying to come to terms with what happened. I hope we can all be kinder, always show love and listen to one another. Caroline, I...
Monday night’s episode began somberly with narrator Iain Stirling providing voiceover over scenes of crashing waves and South Africa’s coastline.
“We are all absolutely devastated by the tragic news that Caroline, a much loved member of our ‘Love Island’ family, has passed away,” said Stirling, who is never seen on the show. “Caroline and me were together from the very start of ‘Love Island,’ and her passion, warm and enthusiasm connected with millions of viewers.
He continued, “Right now, we are all just trying to come to terms with what happened. I hope we can all be kinder, always show love and listen to one another. Caroline, I...
- 2/17/2020
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
The death of popular “Love Island” host Caroline Flack has sent shockwaves across the U.K. and again raised long-running concerns about broadcaster ITV’s support of cast members on the hit reality competition as well as the country’s intense media scrutiny of public figures.
Flack, one of the U.K.’s most recognizable reality hosts, was found dead in her apartment on Saturday, a lawyer for her family confirmed. Tributes have begun accumulating for Flack, a mainstay on British television, outside her home in East London.
In response to her death, ITV cancelled Saturday’s edition of “Love Island,” while Channel 4 confirmed it is pulling cosmetic surgery series “The Surjury,” which was to be hosted by Flack.
The 40-year-old star was set to face trial in just over two weeks, months after she was arrested and charged with assault in December following a domestic dispute with partner Lewis Burton.
Flack, one of the U.K.’s most recognizable reality hosts, was found dead in her apartment on Saturday, a lawyer for her family confirmed. Tributes have begun accumulating for Flack, a mainstay on British television, outside her home in East London.
In response to her death, ITV cancelled Saturday’s edition of “Love Island,” while Channel 4 confirmed it is pulling cosmetic surgery series “The Surjury,” which was to be hosted by Flack.
The 40-year-old star was set to face trial in just over two weeks, months after she was arrested and charged with assault in December following a domestic dispute with partner Lewis Burton.
- 2/15/2020
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Salacious behavior, twists that push the human psyche to the extreme, and pressure-cooker production schedules are just some situations for which reality-show contestants may be signing on. Add in the increasing role of social media and audience tendencies to see contestants as characters, and providing proper mental-health support becomes more important than ever.
Before Melissa Barrera broke through with American audiences as one of the leads on Starz’s “Vida,” she made her television debut in the 2011 Mexican reality show “La Academia.” At 21 years old, she says she loved the experience, but admits it nearly broke her.
“Reality TV is like a snake pit,” she says. “You think the entertainment industry can be hard, but reality TV? That’s the epitome of whether you’re ready for this or not. If I could survive that show, it meant I could do anything. I wouldn’t change anything, but it was...
Before Melissa Barrera broke through with American audiences as one of the leads on Starz’s “Vida,” she made her television debut in the 2011 Mexican reality show “La Academia.” At 21 years old, she says she loved the experience, but admits it nearly broke her.
“Reality TV is like a snake pit,” she says. “You think the entertainment industry can be hard, but reality TV? That’s the epitome of whether you’re ready for this or not. If I could survive that show, it meant I could do anything. I wouldn’t change anything, but it was...
- 6/13/2019
- by Amber Dowling
- Variety Film + TV
The British government is conducting an inquiry into reality television after the recent suicide of a participant on ITV’s “The Jeremy Kyle Show,” which resulted in the long-running talk show’s cancellation. Parliament’s culture and media committee announced the probe Wednesday hours after ITV CEO Carolyn McCall confirmed that production on “The Jeremy Kyle Show” would be permanently closed down.
The Jerry Springer-style talk show found itself in the cross-hairs after a participant, Steve Dymond, was found dead last Thursday from an apparent suicide. The week before, Dymond had filmed an episode of show in which he reportedly took a lie-detector test to determine if he had cheated on his fiancée, which he failed. The episode has not aired.
Dymond’s death follows the recent suicides of two former “Love Island” contestants. Sophie Gradon, who appeared on the 2016 season of “Love Island,” died in June 2018. This was followed...
The Jerry Springer-style talk show found itself in the cross-hairs after a participant, Steve Dymond, was found dead last Thursday from an apparent suicide. The week before, Dymond had filmed an episode of show in which he reportedly took a lie-detector test to determine if he had cheated on his fiancée, which he failed. The episode has not aired.
Dymond’s death follows the recent suicides of two former “Love Island” contestants. Sophie Gradon, who appeared on the 2016 season of “Love Island,” died in June 2018. This was followed...
- 5/15/2019
- by Robert Mitchell
- Variety Film + TV
ITV has reviewed how it cares for contestants on its hit reality show “Love Island” and said it will now offer all participants therapy and train them in how to deal with social media. The broadcaster added that it will also proactively check in with those who have taken part in the reality series on a regular basis.
The review started six months ago, before the death of Mike Thalassitis, who was found hanged last weekend. Another former “Love Island” contestant, Sophie Gradon, has also been found dead after appearing on the show. Her boyfriend subsequently committed suicide.
A debate is now underway in the U.K. about the role of reality TV producers that goes beyond “Love Island” and covers how they ensure the welfare of participants on their shows. Several former stars of various unscripted series on different channels and from different producers have come forward to say...
The review started six months ago, before the death of Mike Thalassitis, who was found hanged last weekend. Another former “Love Island” contestant, Sophie Gradon, has also been found dead after appearing on the show. Her boyfriend subsequently committed suicide.
A debate is now underway in the U.K. about the role of reality TV producers that goes beyond “Love Island” and covers how they ensure the welfare of participants on their shows. Several former stars of various unscripted series on different channels and from different producers have come forward to say...
- 3/20/2019
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
British Health Minister Matt Hancock has warned broadcasters and producers to do more to look after reality TV contestants following the death of Love Island contestant Mike Thalassitis.
Thalassitis, who died over the weekend, is the latest star of the ITV2 reality series to have reportedly died by suicide in recent years following the death of Sophie Gradon.
Thalassitis starred in the third season of the villa-based dating format, which is being remade by ITV America for CBS. He also starred in E4 dating show Celebs Go Dating.
Hancock, who was the former Culture Minister, speaking at the Spectator Health Summit, said, “I am very worried about the support for the mental health of contestants on reality TV shows. The sudden exposure to massive fame, I suppose, can have significant impacts on people and I think that it is a duty on any organization that is putting people in the...
Thalassitis, who died over the weekend, is the latest star of the ITV2 reality series to have reportedly died by suicide in recent years following the death of Sophie Gradon.
Thalassitis starred in the third season of the villa-based dating format, which is being remade by ITV America for CBS. He also starred in E4 dating show Celebs Go Dating.
Hancock, who was the former Culture Minister, speaking at the Spectator Health Summit, said, “I am very worried about the support for the mental health of contestants on reality TV shows. The sudden exposure to massive fame, I suppose, can have significant impacts on people and I think that it is a duty on any organization that is putting people in the...
- 3/18/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The death of former “Love Island” contestant Mike Thalassitis has led to calls for the producers of this and other reality shows to take greater steps to ensure that participants are properly equipped to handle the effects of being in the spotlight – before, during, and after they appear on TV.
Thalassitis, who had been dealing with a recent family bereavement, was found hanged in a park near his home in London on Saturday in an apparent suicide. Police said they were not treating the death as suspicious.
Fellow participants on the ITV show and others who knew him paid tribute, and several criticized the show’s producers for not making better provision for contestants’ welfare. A wider debate is now underway in the U.K. about reality producers’ duty of care to people who appear on their shows.
“Love Island” sees a group of young contestants living together, dating and...
Thalassitis, who had been dealing with a recent family bereavement, was found hanged in a park near his home in London on Saturday in an apparent suicide. Police said they were not treating the death as suspicious.
Fellow participants on the ITV show and others who knew him paid tribute, and several criticized the show’s producers for not making better provision for contestants’ welfare. A wider debate is now underway in the U.K. about reality producers’ duty of care to people who appear on their shows.
“Love Island” sees a group of young contestants living together, dating and...
- 3/18/2019
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
Tragedy has hit the Love Island family again. Almost three weeks after TV star Sophie Gradon passed away at the age of 32, multiple outlets report that her boyfriend Aaron Armstrong has died. A Northumbria Police spokesperson confirmed to E! News that authorities received a report from the ambulance service that a 25-year-old man had been found deceased at a property on Furnace Road in Bebside, Blyth. "There is not believed to be any third party involvement and a report will now be prepared for the coroner," police shared with us. Soon after the news broke, several cast members reacted to the news on social media. Former Love Island star Katie Salmon wrote on Twitter,...
- 7/10/2018
- E! Online
Richard Harrison, who starred on the hit show Pawn Stars, has died. He was 77. His son, Rick Harrison, revealed the heartbreaking news Monday morning on Instagram. "Richard Benjamin 'The Old Man' Harrison passed away this morning surrounded by those he loved," Rick wrote in the caption. "He will be tremendously missed by our family, the team at Gold & Silver Pawn, and his many fans the world over. He was my hero and I was fortunate to get a very cool 'Old Man' as my dad. That I got to share him with so many others and they got to see what a great family man he was is something I am grateful to have experienced with him." Richard Benjamin ‘The Old Man’ Harrison passed away this morning surrounded by those he loved. He will be tremendously missed by our family, the team at Gold & Silver Pawn and...
- 6/25/2018
- by Megan Heintz
- In Touch Weekly
British star Sophie Gradon, who appeared on the reality dating show Love Island, has passed away at the age of 32. "At about 8:27 p.m. yesterday (20 June) police attended a property in Medburn, Ponteland, where sadly a 32-year-old woman was found deceased," Northumbria Police told BBC News in a statement Thursday. "There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding her death. A report will now be prepared for the coroner." BBC News also reports that Gradon's boyfriend, Aaron Armstrong, posted a tribute to her on his Facebook page. "I will never forget that smile I love you so so much baby your my world forever ever and always," Armstrong wrote along with a photo with...
- 6/21/2018
- E! Online
Former Miss Great Britain and Love Island contestant Sophie Gradon has died, her boyfriend confirmed. She was 32. Aaron Armstrong announced the news on his Facebook page Thursday, saying he is "absolutely devastated" by her passing. "I will never forget that smile I love you so so much baby your my world forever ever and always," he captioned a photo of them. Officers arrived at a home in Medburn, Ponteland, just before 8:30 p.m. and found the 32-year-old woman dead, Sky News reported. "There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding her death. A report will now be prepared for the coroner," the statement read. Sophie appeared on the second season of the British dating show in 2016. She was part of the show's first-ever same-sex couple. In 2009, she was crowned Miss Great Britain. Just prior to her death, Sophie shared a sweet post for her dad on Father's Day.
- 6/21/2018
- by Megan Heintz
- In Touch Weekly
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