Love Island ‘curse’ as second star in nine months takes their own life

They’re young, beautiful and wildly popular — so why are the stars of this raunchy reality show taking their own lives?

Love Island UK contestants have slammed the reality show for abandoning them once cameras stop rolling after one of its biggest stars, Mike Thalassitis, was found dead in a park in London, having taken his own life.

A string of former Love Island contestants have rounded on the hit reality series for not helping them, with Thalassitis’ co-star Dom Lever insisting: “Once you are done on the show you don’t get any support.”

Thalassitis, who police confirmed was discovered in a park in Edmonton, is the second Love Island contestant to have died after 2016 star Sophie Gradon was found dead in her flat in June last year. Her cause of death was reported at the time as suicide.

Thalassitis is the second Love Island contestant in nine months to die by suicide.

Lever tweeted: “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.”

That was echoed by 2016 contestant Kady McDermott who added: “Hopefully going forward reality shows will help more with the aftermath of being on one because I can say it definitely didn’t happen after my series when lots of us needed it.”

Another 2016 UK Love Island contestant, Rachel Fenton, claimed she was offered nothing more than a “chat” with a mental health nurse before being flung into the spotlight.

Sophie Gradon died in June last year — and her heartbroken boyfriend died just 20 days later. Picture: Instagram

She wrote: “I hope this educates Love Island producers to provide the necessary support to everyone who enters the show.”

“You get a ‘chat’ with a mental health nurse before you enter the villa but that’s it. Not a single thing after you leave.

“I hope to God this changes. This cannot continue.”

Contestant Malin Andersson, whose four-week-old daughter Consy died in January, also rounded on the program, writing: “WAKE UP @LoveIsland! I got flowers from the producers when my daughter died. No f***ing phone call. No support, or help. Enough is enough.”

She continued: “Nothing when my mum died. Nothing when Sophie died. Change needs to happen.”

There is no suggestion Love Island is responsible for Thalassitis’ death, and The Sun has contacted a rep for the show for comment.

Thalassitis died just days after the death of his beloved nan who he had moved in with to become her full-time carer.

This was Thalassitis’ final post to Instagram.

Taking to social media to pay their respects, stars said that they were shocked and devastated to hear of his death.

British actress Sheridan Smith called Thalassitis’ death a “massive wake up call”, encouraging people who are struggling to seek help.

The 37-year-old tweeted: “This should be a massive wake-up call, I feel sick, reach out, sometimes to the most confident friend. We can only learn and try to change.”

She also offered to help people starting out in the entertainment industry, adding: “Anything I can do. I think we owe it to these kids who don’t know what they are getting into.”

Chris Hughes, who appeared in the same series as Thalassitis, tweeted: “His name was Mike Thalassitis, and every inch of my heart goes out to his family and friends. A good guy, taken far, far to soon.”

The reality star was nicknamed “Muggy”.

Hughes gave Thalassitis his famous nickname after the reality star was branded “muggy” for trying to steal the heart of Olivia Attwood.

She shared a broken heart emoji on Twitter, posting a photo of herself with Thalassitis and writing: “Literally don’t know what to say. Another one gone too young.

“Thinking of Mike’s family and friends at this horrendous time. You will be missed terribly.”

Gradon’s death last year shocked her friends and fans. Picture: Instagram

Fellow Love Island star Gradon died in June last year aged 32, with the inquest into her untimely death scheduled to begin next week.

However, a representative for the coroner’s court said Gradon’s parents had asked for the hearing to be cancelled so they could digest a new report.

Gradon was found dead by her boyfriend Aaron Armstrong at a house in her hometown of Newcastle.

Just 20 days after her shock death, Armstrong was also discovered dead in his Northumberland flat.

Thalassitis’ cause of death is not yet known and police are yet to release any information.

If you or someone you know needs help, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au/gethelp.

This story originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission.