Yahoo News Eamonn Holmes questions future of 'Love Island' after death of Caroline Flack
Veteran ITV presenter Eamonn Holmes has questioned the future of Love Island after the death of its former host Caroline Flack.
The 40-year-old TV presenter was found dead in her London flat on Saturday after taking her own life.
Tributes have been pouring in for Flack, but some have questioned whether the dating show should remain on air. Flack’s death is the fourth suicide linked to the ITV2 programme.
Read more: ITV pulls single episode of 'Love Island' after death of Caroline Flack
This Morning host Holmes tweeted: “Caroline Flack... Dear God. Shocked beyond belief. May she have found peace. Has to be repercussions for Love Island now surely?”
He followed that question by tweeting another: “Meaning out of respect, can the series continue?”
Meaning out of Respect, can the series continue ? https://t.co/nHscTtakby
— Eamonn Holmes (@EamonnHolmes) February 15, 2020
Former Big Brother contestant Rebeckah Vaughan also called for action via social media.
She tweeted: “1 show. 3 deaths. This must stop. I’ve been on the wrong side of the effects of reality TV and people don’t understand how it can make you want to die. Please pay attention, we can stop this! Rest in peace Caroline Flack.”
1 show. 3 deaths. This must stop. I’ve been on the wrong side of the effects of reality TV and people don’t understand how it can make you want to die. Please pay attention, we can stop this! Rest in peace Caroline Flack xx pic.twitter.com/baih7Zg5eG
— Rebeckah Vaughan (@RebeckahVaughan) February 15, 2020
Flack’s death is the fourth suicide linked to the programme.
Sophie Gradon, who appeared as a contestant in 2016, was found hanged at her home in 2018 at the age of 32. Her boyfriend Aaron Armstrong, who had found her body, went on to hang himself three weeks later. He was 25.
Mike Thalassitis, who appeared in the 2017 series, was 26 when he was found hanged in a park in March last year.
When will things change? How many more? Heartbreaking 💔
— Sheridan Smith (@Sheridansmith1) February 15, 2020
Actress and singer Sheridan Smith also paid tribute to Flack on Saturday and called for change.
She tweeted: “When will things change? How many more? Heartbreaking.”
Read more: Celebrities tweet their shock after TV host Caroline Flack dies
After news of Flack’s death broke early Saturday evening, ITV cancelled plans to air a Love Island episode featuring unseen bits from the week.
ITV2's programme announcer said: "In light of today's sad news we're replacing tonight's episode of Love Island: Unseen Bits with a double bill of You've Been Framed."
Yahoo has approached ITV for comment on the Eamon Holmes tweets and the future of Love Island.
