The top boss of ITV has dismissed claims that the death of former Love Islander Mike Thalassitis and the ITV2 show are linked, as "extremely tenuous".
Chief Executive Dame Carolyn McCall has spoken out after a number of Islanders revealed that they had suffered from mental health issues since appearing on the show.
Dame Carolyn said that the channel does 'everything it can' to look after those that appear in the show but indicated they "can’t do that forever with an individual”.
The 57-year-old was following up on an announcement by the channel that they would be changing how they look after the Love Island contestants in the future, including in the villa and after their experience ends.
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There are plans to give those on the show therapy, social media training and financial management.
Dame Carolyn admitted though that the aftercare couldn't carry on indefinitely and said: “There’s got to be a framework and it will come to an end.”
Former contestant Mike was found hanged in a North London park and the death of the 26-year-old was "devastating" according to Dame Carolyn.
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Speaking to the Broadcasting Press Guild, Dame Carolyn pointed towards Mike's appearances on reality shows, MTV's Ex on the Beach and E4's Celebs Go Dating, as reasons why Love Island shouldn't take all the blame.
Dame Carolyn said: "We did have a duty of care. We had clear processes and procedures.
"I don’t think anybody has made a direct link between what happened to Mike and Love Island and that is very important to say.
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“It would be an extremely tenuous thing to do given he was very happy on Love Island and all of his mates have actually said that, and he has done two other reality TV shows in the two-year gap.”
With another former Love Island contestant, 32-year-old Sophie Gradon, also dying from a suspected suicide, the set-up of the show is going to be independently reviewed by Government mental health adviser Dr Paul Litchfield.
* Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org
