Love Island bosses included a tribute to former contestant Mike Thalassitis as the show returned to screens on Monday.
After the titles rolled on the first episode of the new series, a moment was taken to remember the late 2017 Islander, who died earlier this year.
A black screen appeared along with a photo of Mike and a message that read: “In loving memory of Mike Thalassitis 1993 - 2019”
It had been previously reported bosses had not planned to include the tribute to Mike in the new series’ debut, as a similar message had already been added to the box set of his season of Love Island on the ITV Hub.
Mike was found dead in a park near his north London home in March, with police later confirming they were not treating his death as suspicious.
His death, as well as that of series two contestant Sophie Gradon, prompted much discussion about the support producers offer Islanders after they leave the show.
The debate brought about a raft of changes to their aftercare processes for the new series, including new financial and social media training.
Contestants will also have to attend a minimum of eight therapy sessions after leaving the Island, while the show will take a more proactive approach in reaching out to participants.
Despite this, many have still called for the show to be taken off the air completely, especially after ITV decided to cancel The Jeremy Kyle Show earlier this month, when a participant died after a week after failing a lie detector test on the programme.
However, Love Island bosses insisted they had never considered the idea to stop producing the series, with ITV Studios Entertainment’s Managing Director Angela Jain saying at a press conference earlier this month: “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.”
An inquest into Mike’s death is set to begin later this month.
Love Island airs Sunday to Friday at 9pm on ITV2.
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.
