'Love Island' contestants to have inclusion training before entering villa
Love Island's new crop of singles are going to take part in inclusivity training, it has been announced.
The ITV dating reality show - which is hosted by Laura Whitmore - gets under way in June.
But beforehand, the contestants will be offered video training and guidance "covering inclusive language around disability, sexuality, race and ethnicity, behaviours and microaggressions".
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The inclusion training will consist of conversations chaired by BCOMS (Black Collective of Media in Sport) founder Leon Mann MBE and including DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) consultant Hayley Bennett, disability specialist Shani Dhanda and broadcaster Sean Fletcher.
Inclusive language, behaviour, creating safe spaces and being a good ally will be among the topics discussed.
Islanders will also be shown a video of former contestants being interviewed about their experiences on the show.
It will include details on the fortnight before they enter the villa and how to cope being filmed around the clock.
Other issues on the agenda will be dealing with the trolling on social media and adapting to life away from the show.
Ade Rawcliffe, ITV's group director of diversity and inclusion, said: "The world we live in is changing every day, and we want all of our Islanders to feel they are part of an inclusive environment in the villa.
"As part of our duty of care process, it is also important we play our part in educating our participants to understand and empathise with different perspectives and lived experiences.”
ITV has also shared details of the aftercare that will be offered to the contestants.
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It includes advice on finances and the offer of a minimum of eight therapy sessions once they are back home.
Love Island previously came under scrutiny for the effect taking part can have on participants' mental health, after former contestants Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon both took their own lives.
Love Island returns on 6 June.
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