Caroline Flack’s ex-fiance spoke of suicide epidemic in Sydney before death
Caroline Flack’s former fiance Andrew Brady spoke about the epidemic of reality TV suicides at a private event in Sydney just days before the former Love Island UK host committed suicide.
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The former fiance of late British TV presenter Caroline Flack spoke of the reality TV suicide epidemic in the UK just days before her tragic death.
Andrew Brady, who was engaged to the former Love Island host in 2018, called for urgent changes to the reality TV industry following the high profile deaths of Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon.
“I’m from the UK so for us reality TV is different. We’ve had three suicides in two years, how do you stop that? Brady asked during a Q&A at the Uncovered podcast launch in Sydney on February 5.
“You get nothing [no support] in the UK … these people from Love Island got nothing and they need to change it.
“It’s the audience, not you guys (you guys aren’t the ones who make people kill themselves), but the consumers what we’re doing is shadowing the idea of what we’re capable of by consuming media. It needs to be addressed. It comes down to everything, brands, channels, people who go on it and to know ourselves whether we’re strong enough for it.”
Brady was among VIP guests at the event hosted by The Amazing Race stars Nick Evbuomwan and Femi Ogunsiji at Jackalberry.
The former Big Brother star left the UK for Australia after ending his engagement to Flack two years ago.
Last week, Flack was found dead of a suspected suicide in her East London flat amid ongoing personal struggles.
She is reported to have taken her own life after learning she would face trial on charges of allegedly assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton following a dispute last year. She stepped down as host of Love Island UK after being arrested and charged over the incident.
Flack is the latest victim of suicide from the ITV reality series, which has raised questions about the show’s future.
In 2018 season two star Sophie Gradon died aged 32 and season three’s Mike Thalassitis died aged 26 last year.
On his blog, Brady said more needs to be done to support reality stars.
“I really do believe that more needs to be done to protect reality stars, Mike and Sophie’s lives aren’t worth our entertainment,” he wrote last year.
“Production companies – start being honest with your contestants about life during and after the process and provide more aftercare.
“Tabloids – start realising that your bulls**t headlines cause people and their family and friends pain. Trolls – grow up and put yourself in their shoes.
“What if they were your brother or sister and you saw what people were sending them. Wouldn’t feel like the big guy anymore I bet.”
Contestants currently receive a minimum of eight therapy sessions after appearing on the show.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide get help immediately.
Call Lifeline 13 11 14
Originally published as Caroline Flack’s ex-fiance spoke of suicide epidemic in Sydney before death