Love Island bosses have defended the use of lie detector tests on the show, after a Jeremy Kyle Show guest died a week after reportedly failing one.
63-year-old Steve Dymond was found dead last month after taking a lie detector test in an attempt to prove that he had been faithful, his partner said. The ITV daytime show has since been cancelled.
Despite the controversy surrounding the use of polygraph tests, ITV Studios’ managing director Angela Jain said that it is “entirely normal” to “test” the islanders’ relationships.
“The lie detector is 57 episodes into the run,” she told The Sun. “The lie detector is one episode, one element, it’s not even a big deal in terms of the format of the show.
“What we do in terms of format twists - as this is ongoing casting - we’re trying to mirror real life and relationships do get tested, that’s entirely normal.
“So we will test them and the islanders are fully aware their relationships will get tested. We do that because that’s the expectation for the audience and the islanders.”
The show released a revised duty of care statement earlier this month, following the deaths of former contestants Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon, confirming all participants will be offered “enhanced psychological support” before and after filming.
They will also receive “bespoke social media training” and eight therapy sessions on returning home.
Addressing the show’s new aftercare procedure, Jain suggested that “the level of scrutiny has changed and the profile of the show has changed.
“It’s entirely normal to keep evolving those after care procedures that in no way is going to impact the editorial,” she said. “Our duty of care is always first and foremost. We really care about the show and those islanders.”
Love Island returns on Monday, June 3 at 9pm on ITV2; Love Island: Aftersun returns on Sunday, June 9.
