Caroline Flack has defended Love Island after the show came under scrutiny following the deaths of two former contestants in the last year.
The presenter is currently gearing up for the launch of the fifth series – the first full run since the deaths of Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis, which prompted debate about the level of aftercare the show offers its contestants.
Defending Love Island in an interview with Metro, Caroline said that much of the criticism it faces is a symptom of people “pulling [things] to pieces” once they become popular.
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Caroline Flack
ITV/REX/Shutterstock
She said: “The show is a journey of love and emotions that everyone can relate to and learn from. We are a feelgood show.
“When something becomes popular there seems to be a desire to pull it to pieces and over-analyse it.
“This is about young singletons having fun, getting to know each other, in an amazing villa in the Spanish sun.”
Caroline added: “There is a spotlight on reality TV shows at the moment but sadly this is a global problem we are dealing with; a modern-day life for all that is becoming overwhelming.
“We need to stop blaming speculating without the facts. As a human race we all need to come together, communicate, open up, express ourselves, be kind and be understanding of what all of us are dealing with on a daily basis.”
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Last year's Love Island stars
PA Entertainment
Since Mike Thalassitis’ death earlier this year, Love Island has announced they are committed to improving the aftercare contestants receive, full details of which have now been revealed.
A rep for Love Island confirmed this week that those who appear on the show will receive psychological consultations throughout their journey, from pre-filing to aftercare, with a minimum of eight mandatory therapy sessions for contestants once they return home.
Love Island will return to our screens on Monday 3 June, and following Dani Dyer’s success on the show last year, it seems the series could feature more Islanders who already have links to the world of celebrity.
Curtis is the brother of Strictly Come Dancing professional, AJ Pritchard, and is said to be entering the villa in the hope of finding love.
Like his brother, Curtis is a dancer and served as a pro on the Irish version of Strictly.
However, he was forced to pull out of the series earlier this year when he and AJ were the victims of a nightclub attack, which left Curtis needing surgery on his knee. (credit:Rex/Shutterstock/Ken McKay)
Tommy Fury(02 of13)
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From the surname alone, you might be able to tell that Tommy is the brother of boxer Tyson Fury.
Like his brother, the 19-year-old is also a boxer, and is said to be hoping to move out of his sibling’s shadow by appearing on the show. (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)
Sophie Piper(03 of13)
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Sophie (seen here on the right) is the half-sister of former Saturdays singer Rochelle Humes.
Following reports Rochelle had been reunited with her half-siblings with the help of Love Island winner Kem Cetinay after years apart, Sophie was linked to a spot on the reality show. (credit:Instagram)
Sairah Pinnock(04 of13)
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Continuing the theme of rumoured contestants with famous siblings is the younger sister of Little Mix’s Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Sairah.
She was previously rumoured to be part of the Casa Amour twist last year, but never materialised, and has now been linked to the show once again. (credit:Getty Editorial)
Lotan Carter(05 of13)
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Lotan is no stranger to the spotlight, as he appeared as a housemate on Big Brother back in 2017.
More recently, Lotan appeared on an episode in the current series of Britain's Got Talent, where his dance troupe the Dreamboys stripped as part of a stunt involving the judges. (credit:Getty Editorial)
Ethan Allen(06 of13)
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Ethan has a bit of history with Love Island, as he popped up on the show in 2017 when he paid a visit to his sister Gabby during the final week of the third series.
At the time fans called for him to become an Islander, and two years later, it looks like that might finally become a reality. (credit:Getty Editorial)
Jane Park(07 of13)
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Jane hit headlines six years ago when she became the UK's youngest Lottery winner at the age of 17.
Reports have claimed bosses have previously approached her to appear on the show, with claims she now feels the time is right to say yes. (credit:Instagram)
Taylor Ward(08 of13)
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Real Housewives Of Cheshire star Dawn Ward has dropped a big hint her daughter Taylor will be among the new set of Islanders, after admitting she was lined up to appear last year.
Revealing the reason why Taylor ultimately didn't, Dawn told Heart radio: "Ashley's [Taylor's dad] mum's got Alzheimer's, his dad was diagnosed with a brain tumour so we had a lot of family things going on.
"Taylor and the family decided the family needed to be around, and so it wasn't the right time for Taylor."
Asked whether she thought she might go on this year, Dawn added: "Never say never. She's really busy with her influencing and bringing out a fashion brand."It's not something we've discussed, but you never know..." (credit:Press Association)
Ted Pullin(09 of13)
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Model Ted has been rumoured for the show after apparently being being a stand-in contestant during the last series. According to reports he was set to enter the villa alongside Charlie Frederick, but got replaced by Josh Denzel at the last minute.
He also has other connections to the show, as he is friends with series four contestant Jack Fowler and shares the same modelling agent as Eyal Booker. (credit:Instagram)
Amelia Goodman(10 of13)
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Instagram influencer Amelia is apparently ready to follow in the reality TV footsteps of her sister Chloe, who found fame on Ex On The Beach, before enjoying a stint in the Celebrity Big Brother house. (credit:Getty Editorial)
Braelin Kail Peery(11 of13)
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This US Instagram star claimed to have been approached by Love Island bosses when she posted on Twitter about it back in March.
While she later insisted she had no intention of signing up for the show when quizzed by one of her followers, could she just have been covering her tracks? (credit:Instagram)
Ercan Ramadan(12 of13)
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Ercan enjoyed a short spell in TOWIE, popping up in the recent Marbella specials, which is apparently where he caught the eye of Love Island producers. He is also pals with last year's winner Jack Fincham.
However, he is now said to be dating former Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison, so we guess she'd have something to say if he somehow popped up on the Island. (credit:Instagram)
Sav Berry(13 of13)
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Sav is an 'influencer' and model and sparked speculation he would be entering the villa when the Daily Star obtained an image of him on a shoot that looked to be similar to previous Love Island press shots.
However, further investigation revealed the picture actually came from a shoot he had done for men's fashion brand Jacamo. (credit:Instagram)