Love Island viewers left in tears at tribute to Mike Thalassitis
Love Island 2019: Viewers left in tears at Mike Thalassitis tribute as series five launches three months after former Islander’s death
- The late reality star was honoured after the series five launch show on Monday
- Mike, who starred in the 2017 series of Love Island, was found dead in a woodland near his Edmonton home in March
- The episode was dedicated in ‘loving memory’ to the reality star
- For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, or see samaritans.org for details
Love Island viewers were left in tears after the show paid tribute to Mike Thalassitis three months after he was found dead in a woodland near his Edmonton home in March.
The reality star had appeared on last year’s series of the hit ITV2 show, and bosses reportedly made a U-turn to honour him as they acknowledged it was ‘the right thing’ to do,.
Viewers took to Twitter after the series five launch show on Monday night ended with a picture of Mike and a caption that read: ‘In loving memory of Mike Thalassitis 1993 – 2019’.
Tribute: Love Island viewers were left in tears after the show paid tribute to Mike Thalassitis three months after he was found dead in a woodland near his Edmonton home in March
Viewers penned: ‘In tears all over again now, rip mike ❤️ #LoveIsland’; ‘I’m happy #LoveIsland paid respect to Mike!; ‘ Omg that tribute to Mike at the end #loveisland
‘Aww lil tribute to Mike #LoveIsland; ‘ in memory of mike ❤️ #LoveIsland’; ‘aw man was not expecting that for mike #loveisland’; ‘aw that was lovely for mike at the end❤️ #loveisland’ ;’The tribute to Mike was the sweetest ever #LoveIsland
‘Yoo that tribute caught me off guard man big up Mike #loveisland’ ;’How lush at the end for mike #LoveIsland’; ‘Awwww RIP Mike ❤️ #LoveIsland
‘It was nice of them to leave that at the end of the episode for Mike. I hope all other islanders past and present are leaving their best lives. #LoveIsland’; ‘Aw he little tribute for mike #LoveIsland’ [sic].
Emotional: Viewers took to Twitter after the series five launch show on Monday night ended with a picture of Mike
According to past claims, the late reality star – who was found dead in March – was allegedly not going to be mentioned on the show.
However, ITV made a U-turn amid reports the producers accepted that it was ‘the right thing’ to acknowledge it.
A Love Island insider told The Mirror: ‘Producers wanted to pay their respects to Mike and show his friends, family and fans that he was a part of the Love Island family and is missed deeply by everyone.
Honoured: According to past claims, the late reality star – who was found dead in March – was allegedly not going to be mentioned on the show. However, ITV made a U-turn
‘It is a really difficult subject but they wanted to address it rather than sweep it under the carpet or pretend it hasn’t happened.’
Love Island has faced backlash in recent months with its critics arguing that the show should have been cancelled in the wake of Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis’ deaths.
The show, which is fronted by Caroline Flack, reportedly had a more stricter acceptance procedure this year, with contestants having to pass mental health and STI tests to make it onto TV screens this year.
Paying respect: Mike appeared on season three of Love Island in 2017 (pictured on the show)
Tragic: Sophie Gradon who took part in the 2016 series of the show, was found dead at her parents’ home in June 2018
Sophie, who took part in the 2016 series of the show, was found dead at her parents’ home in June 2018 and the inquest into her death found she had hanged herself.
Fans have called for changes in light of the tragic suicides.
It was recently confirmed that Love Island producers have offered extensive care to 2019 contestants before the dating show, and will do during and after, including increased therapy, social media training and even financial management.
‘Evolved’: The show, which is hosted by Caroline Flack, reportedly had a more stricter acceptance procedure this year, with Islanders having to pass mental health tests
Host Caroline Flack, 39, said Love Island’s duty of care has ‘evolved’ following the suicides of ex contestants.
In an interview with The Sun’s Fabulous Magazine, the presenter candidly discussed the wide-ranging issue of mental health aftercare, but added that no-one should be apportioning blame in the wake of the tragedies
The ITV2 show, which returns on Monday night, have written an extra clause in the Islanders’ contracts which vows to help the loved-ones of cast mates, as well as the contestants themselves.
Change: Fans have called for changes in light of the tragic suicides of Sophie and Mike who appeared on the reality series in 2016 and 2017 respectively
In a statement, they wrote: ‘The production team have continued to evolve their processes with each series, as the show’s popularity has risen and the social and media attention on Islanders has increased.
‘The key changes this year are – 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 financial management and a proactive aftercare package which extends our support to all Islanders following their participation.’
The extension in the welfare section means the whole family can have the support of ITV bosses throughout the duration of the Love Island experience.
For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, or see samaritans.org for details.
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