Six Love Island stars accuse show bosses of making them feel suicidal, treating them like ‘performing monkeys’ and giving them depression
SIX former Love Island stars have ganged up together to make a series of accusations against the show – claiming they were made to feel suicide after being treated like “performing monkeys”.
In a scathing article, Alex Miller, Malin Andersson, Josh Denzel, Paul Knops, Callum MacLeod and Adam Collard accused bosses of pulling the strings behind the scenes which left them feeling depressed and anxious.
Their claims come amid an ongoing debate about the care for the mental health of contestants on reality shows after former Islanders Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon both killed themselves.
Alex Miller, who appeared on the show last year, revealed he found it very tough adjusting to real life following his short-lived romance with Megan Barton-Hanson on the show.
He was brought into show during Casa Amor where he promptly connected with man-eater Megan before being just as quickly dumped when they returned to the main villa.
It wasn’t long until he was booted out and when he returned to his job in construction after his 15 minutes ran out, he started having suicidal thoughts.
He told : “I never thought I would get into that mind frame.
“But I would be driving to work, contemplating ending things.”
Alex later added: “Love Island producers got in touch and put me back in touch with a psychiatrist.”
Malin, who has demanded better aftercare since her appearance in 2016 alongside Sophie Gradon, accused bosses of orchestrating the action.
She said: “We were like performing monkeys for them. I remember crying a bit.”
Adam Collard agreed, claiming he was told he had to go in and steal someone’s girlfriend or he would be booted out.
He said: “They interviewed me, they knew my personality, and then they put me in the villa and said, ‘You’ve got 48 hours [to steal someone’s girl], otherwise you’re gone’.
“I cottoned on to the idea that if I didn’t go and hurt someone’s feelings, I was going to be out.”
He claims he was told he would get a lot of bad press over it but if he could “cope with this mentally” it would do his career “a world of good".
But Adam – who was accused of being emotionally abusive towards Rosie Williams - made it clear it hasn’t affected him and says he watched the episodes that had hit headlines with producers who gave him advice and a number to call if he needed help.
Callum, who was the first to be booted out this series, also confirmed that Islanders do get aftercare when they leave.
He revealed he was warned about trolling and had to watch a video – made by former Islanders – about what life is like following the villa.
Josh Denzel, who was on the show last year and famously dumped Georgia Steel for Kaz in Casa Amor, admitted the negative online comments is one of the harder parts of the show – and was something his friends struggled with while looking after his account.
He claims they decided to stop posting and approached ITV for help about it when viewers turned on over ditching Georgia.
“I don’t know how those conversations went," he admitted. "But I think as long as ITV are making a good TV show, they don’t care. If I’d left then I’d have been in a very, very bad situation.”
Paul Knops said of leaving the show: "You go through anxiety. It can be pretty stressful. And then you go back to your own home, and there’s no one really to talk to about what you’ve been through. It all comes down to dealing with stuff on your own, and not everyone’s great at that."
Other Islanders have been much more positive about the care they have received during and after the show.
More from Love Island
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society - from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others... You're Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, , 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,
- Mind, , 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus,, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, , 116 123
Olivia Buckland, who has gone on to marry Alex Bowen, who she met in the villa, said: “I was in constant contact with the producers for a very long time. I got offered psychological tests when I got out. I got offered counselling when I got out.
“I got a list of agencies. Honestly, they really did look after me and Alex. They always checked in with us and I’m still good friends with them now. Love Island’s there for you if you need them.”
While Megan Barton-Hanson added: “When I came out of the villa ITV sat down with me and went through everything that had happened to make sure I was prepared. I don’t blame ITV for any of this – they’ve been amazing.
“They are in regular contact and whenever anything difficult happens they make an extra special effort to check in on you to see if you’re OK. I’ve got the number of the show’s psychologist in my phone and I know I can call her whenever I need to.”
Love Island bosses previously said that relationships will be "tested" on the series - but insisted they are "not a**eholes".
