Love Island bosses scrap lie detector tests following spate of reality TV suicides

Love Island has axed its controversial on-screen lie detector tests following a number of suicides linked to reality TV shows.

According to an ITV source, the decision was made as part of efforts to clean up the show’s image, and was made in the wake of the death of a Jeremy Kyle guest.

It also comes following outcry over the treatment of last year’s eventual winners Jack Fincham and Dani Dyer .

Speaking to the Sun, the source said:  “A series of top-level meetings have been held over the past few weeks with regard to safety measures and duty of care procedures.

Dani Dyer and Jack Fincham went on to win but their relationship was briefly strained after a failed lie detector test (ITV)

“One of the issues raised was the lie detector. The feeling was, in the wake of the Jeremy Kyle case, bosses must be whiter than white — they cannot mess with people’s emotions.”

News of the axed polygraphs comes just days after ITV released a statement confirming a more comprehensive after-care package will be offered to help Love Island contestants cope with their new-found fame.

According to the statement, cast members will get eight counselling sessions and 14 months of contact with the Love Island crew.

They will also undergo training sessions on how to deal with fame, as well as lessons in social media and money management.

The new measures comes following the suicides of Love Island stars Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon, as well as the death of a Jeremy Kyle guest following a failed lie detector test.

Love Island 2017 star Mike Thalassitis took his own life in March 2019 (ITV)

Last year’s Love Island series saw viewers accusing producers of trying to create a rift between Jack Fincham and Dani Dyer.

The show was accused of manipulation after showing Dani footage of Jack failing a lie detector test when asked if he was likely to stray.

The fifth series of Love Island is set to hit screens on Monday, June 3 on ITV2.

The show has been extended to eight weeks - a week longer than last year - and will see contestants return to the same villa in Majorca as before.

They will also have to abide by strict new rules that include a ban on drunken sex, masturbation and even nudity.

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