'Ex On The Beach' star Jess Impiazzi likens the show to a 'brothel' and said she felt pressurised to have sex
Ex On The Beach star Jess Impiazzi has said she felt “under pressure” from producers to have sex on camera.
The 30-year-old model and actress appeared on the MTV reality show which has now been cancelled following the death of Mike Thalassitis.
Impiazzi told BBC's Victoria Derbyshire: "I had a producer say, 'Lots of shagging tonight please girls,' and I thought, 'I need to leave now.'
"You feel like you're in a brothel. It made me feel really cheap… these were all random guys."
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The Celebrity Big Brother contestant said she felt she had “signed my life away” after she “begged” producers not to air footage of her having sex with her boyfriend, which had happened when she was drunk.
Impiazzi, who appeared in two series of the show between 2015 and 2016, said: "I cried my eyes out. I said, 'Please don't show this.’”
The footage was broadcast and Impiazzi eventually quit the show. She said she received no aftercare, despite having previously suffered from depression.
Farah Sattaur, who also appeared on the MTV show, said it had been a positive experience overall.
Sattaur said: "Great cast members, great experience, going abroad, I love to travel.
"Your social media rockets. You can collaborate with different brands. You're driving your career the way you want it to go."
The show was cancelled in March after running for nine series since 2014. The tenth series, which had already been filmed featured former Love Island contestant Mike Thalassitis, who was found dead in March.
MTV said in a statement: "Contributors' welfare across our programming is of paramount importance to us.
"We work with our production company partners to ensure there is an appropriate support structure for contributors and protocols in place to protect them."
Whizz Kid Entertainment, who produce Ex On The Beach, said a support structure had been implemented before filming and all cast members had been carefully interviewed and screened.
A spokesman said: "Contributors are made fully aware of the nature of the programme before filming and we clearly highlight the impact of an increased public profile resulting from appearing in the show.
"Strict protocols around sex are in place to protect our cast."
Read more: Jeremy Kyle Show linked to other suicides following axeing after guest's death
MPs have now launched an inquiry into reality TV following the cancellation of The Jeremy Kyle Show. The ITV daytime talk show has been axed following the suspected suicide of one of its guests, calling to question the duty of aftercare to reality TV contestants.
The Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee (DCMS) will consider production companies’ duty of care to participants taking part in reality shows and explore whether enough support is offered both during and after filming.
ITV has also faced scrutiny over its support for reality show talent following the deaths of former Love Island contestants Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon.
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