Sophie Gradon's mum says "it's a disgrace" that Love Island is still on screen after the death of her daughter, fellow contestant Mike Thalassitis and host Caroline Flack.
Former Miss Newcastle and Miss Great Britain Sophie appeared on the second series of the ITV2 dating show in 2016, but, just two years later, in June 2018, was found dead at her parents' home in Ponteland, after taking her own life at the age of 32.
Essex lad Mike appeared on Love Island a year later and took his own life in early 2019, aged just 26.
The Mirror reports that Sophie's mum Deborah and Mike's mum Shirley met for the first time this week, for an emotional dinner which saw them bond over their tragic shared experience.
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Deborah, 62, told Shirley: “I’ve wanted you to know I’ve been thinking of you for so long.
"How many parents can say they’ve lived the hell of losing a daughter to suicide? Not many people can truly understand that pain.”
Shirley, 63, said: “I told myself I wasn’t going to cry. It’s such a comfort to meet you.”
This week ITV revealed a new Love Island duty of care protocol in time for the new series starting on June 28 and said: "Welfare and duty of care towards our contributors is always our primary concern," adding that there are "extensive measures" in place to support the islanders before, during and after participation in the show.
But both Deborah and Shirley don't think the show does enough for its contestants, with Deborah publicly slamming ITV a year after Sophie's death on The Jeremy Vine Show for "exploiting the vulnerable" for "the most evil & puerile form of entertainment."
And as they sat down for dinner together in London, both heartbroken parents were in agreement that Love Island shouldn't still be on screen, with popular presenter Caroline Flack also taking her own life in February 2020 after walking away from what she called her "dream job," after an assault charge.
Deborah said: "It’s a disgrace that they should be allowed to bring it back after three adored, precious people with connections to the show have taken their own lives.”
Admitting she rarely switches the TV on over the summer as she knows Love Island is on and other programmes will be talking about it, she added: “Even the theme tune makes me feel sick.
"Now everyone knows what it can do to a life and I really worry for anyone taking part. Those young people become household names.
“They’re on our screens every night for six weeks and people feel like they really know them – but Sophie was never the same after going on it.
"They don’t understand just how much the overnight fame and the trolling can affect them. They should walk away before it’s too late."
ITV have upped their duty of care protocol for this year, with the full statement from the broadcaster reading: "Welfare and duty of care towards our contributors is always our primary concern, and we have extensive measures in place to support the islanders before, during and after participation.
“We have continued to evolve our process with each series, as the level of social media and media attention around the Islanders has increased.
“This includes enhanced psychological support, more detailed conversations with potential Islanders regarding the impact of participation on the show, bespoke training for all Islanders on social media and a proactive aftercare package.”
This year's Islanders will get extensive media training, including how to deal with online trolls, but Deborah said it's not enough.
"No matter what training they get, nothing can prepare those kids for what they are letting themselves in for on social media.
"It basically said if anything happens to you we’re not liable. This whole care package just feels like a box-ticking exercise. I won’t be happy until the show is off air.”
