Love Island stars to be offered therapy and social media training after Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon deaths

Love Island bosses will offer therapy, social media training and financial advice to all future contestants following the deaths of two former stars, ITV has said.

Mike Thalassitis, 26, who took part in the reality show last year, was found dead in a park in north London on Saturday. Police are not treating his death as suspicious.

It comes less than a year since 32-year-old Sophie Gradon, who appeared on season two of Love Island in 2016, was found dead at her home on June 20.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has since said reality TV shows have a duty to care for contestants after they become famous.

Love Island has said it undertook a review six months ago to evaluate the aftercare it was providing and said it will now offer support to all contestants rather than just those who ask for it.

The care will focus on helping contestants with social media and financial management after achieving overnight fame on Love Island, which has become a cultural phenomenon.

A statement from the show said: "This review has led us to extend our support processes to offer therapy to all Islanders and not only those that reach out to us. And we will be delivering bespoke training to all future Islanders to include social media and financial management.

"The key focus will be for us to no longer be reliant on the islanders asking us for support but for us to proactively check in with them on a regular basis."

Following the death of Thalassitis, former Love Island contestants criticised the level of care they had received since leaving the show.

The majority who take part go from anonymity to intense public scrutiny overnight, often amassing millions of social media followers.

Megan Barton Hanson, who appeared on Love Island last year, said she found it difficult to cope after being "cast as a pantomime villain" following her on-screen relationship with Wes Nelson.

Jonny Mitchell, who starred in the 2017 series alongside Thalassitis, told BBC on Monday that many people struggle to return to normal life after appearing on the dating programme.

Love Island defended the casting process, insisting all potential contestants are screened for physical and mental health issues before entering the villa.

And while on the show, contestants are monitored for any signs of problems developing, Love Island said.