'Love Island' will pay tribute to Mike Thalassitis in tonight's launch episode

Love Island will honour the memory of former contestant Mike Thalassitis in the opening episode of the new series tonight.

The 26-year-old footballer - who took part in the ITV2 dating reality show in 2017 - was found hanged in a park after a suspected suicide in March this year.

Thalassitis’ death - which follows the suicide of 2016 Love Island contestant Sophie Gradon in June last year - sparked calls for the show to be axed and has seen bosses overhaul its duty of care process for contestants.

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A source involved with the show told The Daily Mirror: “Producers wanted to pay their respects to Mike and show his friends, family and fans that he was a part of the Love Island family and is missed deeply by everyone.

“It is a really difficult subject but they wanted to address it rather than sweep it under the carpet or pretend it hasn’t happened.”

Love Island paid a short tribute to Gradon when it aired last year.

There was a backlash last month when Thalassitis was not included in the tributes to television personalities who had died in the past year during the 2019 TV Baftas, which aired on BBC1.

Love Island producers have announced that this year’s contestant’s will be offered enhanced psychological support during and after the show.

Among the key changes will be more detailed discussions with contestants around the potential impact of the programme on their lives, and bespoke training for all Islanders on social media and financial management.

Participants will be given at least eight therapy sessions upon returning home, and contact with each Islander would last for 14 months after the series.

And a psychological consultant will contact each contestants's GP to check their medical history.

Read more: Mike Thalassitis's inquest is delayed until after the start of new Love Island series

Presenter Caroline Flack has said she is “angry”about those who were blaming the show for contestant’s deaths.

She said: “It’s not just that you’re blaming a TV show, you’re blaming people and their jobs.”

Tonight will see 12 contestants enter the villa for this year’s show, including plus-size model Anna Vakili, 28, beauty therapist Amber Gill, 21, gym owner Anton Danyluk, 24, and Tommy Fury, the 20-year-old younger brother of boxer Tyson Fury.

Love Island airs on ITV2 at 9pm.