Former Love Island contestant Amy Hart has spoken out for the first time since quitting the villa, revealing she “chose her mental health over the reality show”.
Amy had a particularly difficult final week on Love Island, and was frequently seen in tears after her split from “half-boyfriend” Curtis Pritchard.
Shortly before departing, she explained to Curtis that she was hoping an early exit would help her “heal” from their break-up, while leaving him free to couple up with other Islanders.
Now, Amy has also told The Sun her mental health was beginning to suffer as a result of being on the show.
“I was in a very horrible place over the last week, to be told that the gloves were off with Maura and I had to ‘brace myself’, like a storm,” she explained. “I knew I had to leave when I did.
“I’m kidding myself thinking that I can watch Curtis cracking on with Maura. It would be self-sabotage. It’s not nice. I have to put myself and my sanity first.”
Amy went on to say she lost six pounds on Love Island because she “couldn’t eat”, with producers eventually “standing over” her to ensure that she ate, and forbidding her taking part in challenges unless she did.
During her time on the show, Amy’s distress led almost 200 viewers to complain to Ofcom, concerned for her welfare, while a representative for the show spoke out to deny tabloid reports she had “left the villa” to seek counselling.
The former air hostess did say she had made repeated visits to the show’s psychiatrist, and said she will continue to use whatever help is offered by ITV to help her through the fall-out from her time on the show.
Since Amy and Curtis’ split, fellow Islander Maura Higgins has also expressed interest in the ballroom star, with producers denying claims they put her up to making a move on him.
Reality TV Walk-Outs
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.