Love Island's Jonny Mitchell slams show bosses after Mike Thalassitis death: 'There is absolutely no support'

Love Island star Jonny Mitchell has said if he was offered a spot on the show in the wake of Mike Thalassitis’ death he would probably turn it down.

Mitchell called for a complete overhaul to the way contestants are treated before, during and after starring in reality TV shows after Thalassitis took his own life two years after appearing on the ITV2 show.

Mitchell, who appeared alongside Thalassitis, said he was trolled “mercilessly” on leaving Love Island and claims he was only spoken to by a psychologist minutes after his exit, something he deemed “completely irrelevant”.

“There is absolutely no support involved,” he said on Sky News. “The producers’ see these things going on and they need to intercept it. I was trolled mercilessly. For me it wasn’t a big deal because I was coping with it, but I never got a call from the show to ask me how I’m coping.

“I got a psychology interview within 10 minutes of coming off the show but at that point I had no idea about public perception it’s completely irrelevant. They should ask me six months down the line, or even a week. I think the entire way it’s structured needs to change.”

Mitchell said people as young as late teens need to be made aware that life after the show is not as “glamorous” as it can look, and that there is a “shelf life”. He said there is no financial help for those making thousands in the weeks immediately after the show and that some struggle to deal with tax bills and work drying up.

“If you come off of one of the nation’s biggest TV shows you can’t go back into normal work so if you’re not making money somewhere else,” he said, “this is what causes states of depression.”

Asked if Thalassitis’ death would have affected his decision to go on the show he replied: “Would I do it again? After Mike, no. Before Mike, maybe.”

Addressing the backlash over aftercare, ITV said in a statement: “Everyone at ITV2 and Love Island are shocked and saddened by this terrible news. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Mike's family and friends at this very sad time.

“Care for our Islanders is a process the show takes very seriously and is a continuous process for all those taking part in the show.

“We ensure that all of our Contributors are able to access psychological support before, during and after appearing on the show.

“The programme will always provide ongoing support when needed and where appropriate.

“We also discuss at length with all of our Islanders, before and after the show, how their lives might change and they have access to support and advice to help with this.”

Several Love Island stars including Dom Lever and Kady McDermott have called on show bosses to intervene more with the pastoral care.

Scotland Yard officers said they found the body of a man in his 20s hanged in a park in Edmonton on Saturday. The death is not being treated as suspicious.