Love Island bosses insist they are “not a***holes” - and will take care of their new contestants.
Two former contestants took their own lives in the past year, prompting enhanced duty of care measures on the show.
ITV Studios Entertainment boss Angela Jain says: “We’re not a***holes. We really do care about the show and we really care about those Islanders.”
But the show will go on as before.
She says:“We’re trying to mirror real life. Relationships in real life get tested - that’s entirely normal."
She said more training on finance and social media was in place. Islanders will have eight therapy sessions and the show’s team will stay in “proactive contact” with them for 14 months after they leave.
Angela says: “It's entirely normal to keep evolving those aftercare procedures.
“That in no way is going to impact on our editorial. That in no way is going to make us make the show differently – we wont.”
Last year, Ofcom received 2644 complaints after Dani Dyer appeared distressed when producers showed her footage of her then boyfriend Jack Fincham in a separate villa with his ex-girlfriend.
Former contestants Sophie Gradon, who appeared in 2016, and Mike Thakassitis, who starred in the show the following year, both took their own lives.
Producers said adjustments to their aftercare procedures ensure they are “responsible programme makers”.
“We’re doing social media and financial training which feels more important,” adds Angela. “The level of scrutiny we’re under has changed. It’s entirely normal to keep evolving those aftercare procedures - that in no way is going to impact on our editorial. That in no way is going to make us make the show differently - we wont.
“Our duty of care is always first and foremost for the Islanders.”
Love Island starts on Monday at 9pm on ITV2.
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