The ITV2 reality series has come under intense scrutiny in recent months after two of its former contestants were found dead, prompting producers to introduce a raft of changes to their aftercare processes.
Asked if there was ever a consideration to stop producing Love Island, ITV Studios Entertainment’s Managing Director Angela Jain said at a press conference in Mallorca, Spain: “No. Our duty of care has always been really robust as we’ve reflected in the statement, it’s an ongoing process.
“We engaged with [mental health specialist Dr Paul Litchfield] well before Christmas, and it was just what we do in terms of being responsible programme makers.
“Those procedures will evolve as the show changes as well. It’s a continuous process.”
Changes to their processes include new financial and social media training for the Islanders, as well as a more specific aftercare plan, which will see them have to attend a minimum of eight therapy sessions.
However, Angela has insisted this doesn’t mean contestants won’t continue to be tested during their time in the villa.
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Love Island
ITV
Speaking to journalists including HuffPost UK, she said: “That in no way is going to impact on the editorial in so much as to make us make the show differently.
“We always say this to the Islanders to [journalists] and to the public that we’re trying to mirror real life here, and relationships in real life get tested and that is entirely normal. So we are going to, and the Islanders are fully aware their relationships will be tested.
“We will do that because that’s what the expectation is for the audience and definitely for the Islanders.”
Angela also did not confirm whether or not the lie detector tests that have featured in every previous series of Love Island would return in 2019, in light of The Jeremy Kyle Show’s demise.
She said: “It’s 57 episodes in the run. Lie detector is one episode and one element of 57 episodes. It’s not even a big deal in the format of the show.”
Love Island launches on Monday at 9pm on ITV2.
Love Island Contestants 2019
Yewande Biala(01 of12)
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Age: 23
From: Dublin, Ireland
Occupation: Scientist
She says: "I think people may be surprised. Every time I say that I’m a scientist, people are shocked. I think there are loads of intelligent people on reality television." (credit:ITV)
Lucie Donlan(02 of12)
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Age: 21
From: Newquay
Occupation: Surfer
She says: "I stand out and I’m different to the usual girls that might go on the show. I’m more into sports as well as being glam. I can do both, which makes me stand out compared to other girls. I’m more of a guy’s girl than a girl’s girl."
Claim to fame: "The last guy I was with was Charlie [Frederick] from last year’s Love Island. We got together a few weeks after he came out of the villa." (credit:ITV)
Amber Gill(03 of12)
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Age: 21
From: Newcastle
Occupation: Beauty therapist
She says: "I like tall guys who are muscly and athletic, I like people that go to the gym because that’s what I like. I want someone who is funny and that I can have fun with and doesn’t take themselves too seriously because I am daft."
Claim to fame: "I know a few of the former Islanders from Newcastle, like Adam Collard and Ellie Brown. Everyone knows everyone in Newcastle!" (credit:ITV)
Amy Hart(04 of12)
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Age: 26
From: Worthing, Sussex
Occupation: Cabin crew
She says: "I I have weird celebrity crushes like David Walliams and Simon Cowell. You’d never go there obviously but there is something about them."
Claim to fame: "I went on a night out once and Liam from One Direction was there. We were in the VIP bit and so was he and he walked past me and I smiled and he said ‘Hey, you alright? What’s your name?’ He told us to come and sit in his booth and we had a picture together." (credit:ITV)
Anna Vakili(05 of12)
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Age: 28
From: London
Occupation: Pharmacist
She says: "I’m difficult to handle, I’m a drama queen and I overreact. I’m clumsy and I’m a messy eater. I spill my drinks all the time. I’m stubborn as well, if I’m in a mood then it’s really hard to get me out of the mood."
Claim to fame: "I ended up on the Iranian News earlier this year when my sister and I were away in Qatar with two Iranian footballers who have a huge following. Suddenly my followers went up by 20,000 and I started being tagged in fan pages!" (credit:ITV)
Anton Danyluk(06 of12)
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Age: 24
From: Airdrie, Scotland
Occupation: Gym owner
He says: "That’s a medical condition that I have… a wandering eye! I’ve never really been loyal in any of my relationships. My last relationship, I actually got caught cheating for the first time in my life and it changed everything for me. I saw how much it hurt her and what it did to her. So, for me going to into Love Island, it’s going to be the biggest test of my life." (credit:ITV)
Tommy Fury(07 of12)
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Age: 20
From: Manchester
Occupation: Boxer
He says: "I won’t be afraid to go and have a splash about in the pool, I’ll mingle with people and find out about everyone because at the end of the day I’ll be living with these people for a long time so it’ll be nice to see if I have a bromance in there, along with a relationship. It’s nice to be a bit standoutish."
Claim to fame: "It’s probably my brother, Tyson, but I’m my own man and I’ve said it throughout my whole boxing career. I don’t want to be labelled as his little brother, I’m my own man and I’m doing the best that I can do in life and that’s all I’m setting out to achieve." (credit:ITV)
Joe Garratt(08 of12)
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Age: 22
From: South east London
Occupation: Catering company owner
He says: "I’ve only had one girlfriend. I knew her locally but I think we started chatting through social media. I meet people in bars, that’s my go-to."
Claim to fame: "I used to play semi-professional rugby." (credit:ITV)
Michael Griffiths(09 of12)
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Age: 27
From: Liverpool
Occupation: Firefighter
He says: "I get complimented on my smile a lot. People seem to be obsessed with my lips. I’d rate myself ten out of ten, I would have said nine but I’m a hero so it bumps it up." (credit:ITV)
Sherif Lanre(10 of12)
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Age: 20
From: London
Occupation: Chef and semi-pro rugby player
He says: "I’m upbeat and cheeky and outrageous with my own friends so hopefully that continues in the villa. I’m always on a mission to make people laugh.That’ll be of value in there." (credit:HuffPost UK)
Callum MacLeod(11 of12)
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Age: 28
From: South Wales
Occupation: Aircraft engineer
He says: "I would say my best feature is my tan - give me an hour and I am golden." (credit:ITV)
Curtis Pritchard(12 of12)
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Age: 23
From: Shropshire
Occupation: Ballroom and Latin dancer
He says: "I have lived a very sheltered life because of my dancing, I’ve not done a lot of going out partying, going on dates because I haven’t had time to. Being truthful I’ve probably been on less than ten dates, maybe five dates. I have never met anyone online, I’ve never used a dating app."
Claim to fame: "I would say my claim to fame is that I’m on Dancing with the Stars Ireland and AJ Pritchard from Strictly Come Dancing is my brother." (credit:ITV)
Useful websites and helplines:
Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393
Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill.)
The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email: help@themix.org.uk
Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0300 5000 927 (open Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on www.rethink.org.