Love Island bosses respond to backlash following Mike Thalassitis' tragic death
Bosses have been hit with backlash
Following the sad news that Love Island 2017 star Mike Thalassitis was found dead at the age of just 26 on Saturday night, many former Love Island contestants and fans of the show have slammed producers for their 'after care'.
The likes of Dom Lever and Malin Andersson took to Twitter to hit out at the 'lack of support' the show gives Islanders, and actress Sheridan Smith even expressed her opinion on the matter.
Dom, who took part in the same series of Love Island as Mike, wrote online, 'You get a psychological evaluation before and after you go on the show but hands down once you are done on the show you don't get any support unless you're number one.'
Malin, who tragically lost her baby girl Consy last month when she was born premature, then added, ''If I didn't have a strong head on me that my mum passed down to me, I wouldn't have been able to cope with this all. But not everyone is like this. PLEASE IF YOU FEEL ALONE, OR SAD, OR STUCK REACH OUT TO SOMEBODY!' sic
'Nothing when my mum died. Nothing when Sophie died. Change needs to happen. I got flowers from the producers when my daughter died. No phone call. No support, or help.'
Sheridan Smith then added, 'This should be a massive wake up call, I feel sick, reach out, sometimes to the most confident friend. We can only learn & try to change.'
After the tragic news of Mike's death broke, Love Island bosses shared a picture of the former footballer online, writing, 'Everyone at ITV2 and Love Island are shocked and saddened by the terrible news about Mike. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends.'
However, following the mass backlash, producers of the show have now responded about the show's after care.
An insider for the show told Metro.co.uk, "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."
It comes after Mike's cause of death was confirmed as suicide by hanging, with the Met police confirming the news. The semi-professional footballer was found dead in woodland near his Essex home on Saturday March 16th.
A Met Police spokesperson said, "Police were called to a park near Latymer Way, N9 at 0928hrs on Saturday, 16 March to reports of a man found hanged. Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended and found a man, aged in his 20s deceased.
"At this early stage, the death is not being treated as suspicious. Police are in the process of informing the man's next of kin. A file will be prepared for the coroner."
Our thoughts are with Mike's friends and family at this difficult time.