Caroline Flack: It's not fair to blame 'Love Island' for contestant deaths

Caroline Flack is “angry” about Love Island being blamed for the death of two of its former contestants.

The ITV2 show has come under fire over its duty of care to the people who take part in the show following the tragic deaths of Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon.

Flack told Cosmopolitan magazine:“It’s dangerous and I’m really, really angry.

“It’s not just that you’re blaming a TV show, you’re blaming people and their jobs.”

Read more: 'Love Island': ITV to offer enhanced psychological support to contestants

The 39-year-old TV presenter went on: “In life, we all have a duty of care to look out for each other, but I don’t think it’s fair to point fingers of blame.

“This is a much bigger issue than just a reality TV show, and when something this bad happens… when something this horrible and sad occurs, it’s so dangerous to point fingers within hours and minutes of it happening.

“None of us know what’s going through someone’s mind and we can’t sit there and speculate.

“It’s time to think about the bigger picture, about what’s going on with young men and young people and the pressures of modern life. It’s just too sad and too sensitive to talk about.”

Love Island returns to ITV2 on Monday 3 June for its fifth series, despite calls for it to be axed due to the deaths of Thalassitis and Gradon. This follows the cancellation of The Jeremy Kyle Show after one of its guests died shortly after taking part in the show and prompted a government inquiry into reality TV.

Read more: ‘Love Island’ contestant denies she's racist after claiming she 'doesn't like black guys'

Love Island bosses have announced an enhancement in their care process ahead of the new series. Contestants will be given a minimum of eight therapy sessions. ITV also promised there would be more detailed discussions with contestants around the potential impact of the programme on their lives, and bespoke training for all Islanders on social media and financial management.

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