Love Island bosses have confirmed that they have been working on overhauling their reality show aftercare policy, in a statement released days after the death of former contestant Mike Thalassitis on Saturday.
In the lengthy message from producers, published on Tuesday, the ITV2 show confirmed they would change policies to ensure that all Islanders are offered support before, during and after their time on the show, as well as social media and finance management training.
It comes after Mike was found dead on Saturday morning in a park in North London aged just 26, with police later confirming he was found hanged.
Important: Love Island bosses have confirmed that they have been working on overhauling their reality show aftercare policy, in a statement released days after the death of former contestant Mike Thalassitis on Saturday
In the statement producers explained that they would be changing the outlying police towards mental care of all contestants, after many former stars hit out at producers for the lack of aftercare.
Outlining the process, they said: ‘When the time comes for each Islander to leave the show, our aftercare process kicks in.
‘Every Islander has a series of debrief meetings on location with the executive team and the medical team, including the psychological consultant.
‘After this, they are told how to access after care support as well as information on seeking professional representation.
![Changes: In a statement, producers of the ITV2 show confirmed they would change policies to ensure that all Islanders are offered support before, during and after their time on the show](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/20/00/11207584-6828655-image-a-45_1553042873255.jpg)
Changes: In a statement, producers of the ITV2 show confirmed they would change policies to ensure that all Islanders are offered support before, during and after their time on the show
This review has led us to extend our support processes to offer therapy to all Islanders and not only those that reach out to us. We will be delivering bespoke training to all future Islanders to include social media and financial management. The key focus will be for us to no longer be reliant on the islanders asking us for support but for us to proactively check in with them on a regular basis.
Love Island producers statement
‘They also meet with the press team the day after leaving the villa and are briefed and advised on their press coverage whilst in the villa. We have had requests for help from former Islanders, and have provided this.’
Bosses then confirmed that they would be making changes to their police to ensure that they were better equipped to handle their newfound fame, including training in social media and finances.
They also explained that it would be a compulsory for all former contestants to be contacted regularly to check in, whether it is asked for or not.
It comes after many former stars, including Malin Anderson, hit out at producers for not offering enough support.
![Changing: The statement also outlined plans for all contestants to undergo social media and financial training, to cope with life after appearing on the show](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/20/01/11207582-6828655-Changing_The_statement_also_outlined_plans_for_all_contestants_t-a-32_1553044356338.jpg)
Changing: The statement also outlined plans for all contestants to undergo social media and financial training, to cope with life after appearing on the show
In a series of tweets, season two star Malin, 26, admitted she was only sent flowers by the ITV2 team when her four-week-old daughter Consy passed away in January.
When something so awful happens it is natural to enter a period of soul searching and ask whether anything could have been done
Love Island producers statement
She said: ‘WAKE UP @LoveIsland !!!! I got flowers from the producers when my daughter died. No f**king phone call. No support, or help. Enough is enough.
‘Nothing when my mum died. Nothing when Sophie died. Change needs to happen.’
‘If I didn’t have a strong head on me that my mum passed down to me, I wouldn’t have been able to cope with this all. But not everyone is like this.’
![Inadequate: It comes after many former stars, including Malin Anderson, hit out at producers for not offering enough support](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/20/00/11084472-6828655-Inadequate_Malin_Andersson_has_hit_out_at_Love_Island_for_its_la-a-47_1553042900802.jpg)
Inadequate: It comes after many former stars, including Malin Anderson, hit out at producers for not offering enough support
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![Speaking out: In a series of tweets, season two 2016 star Malin, 26, admitted she was only sent flowers by the ITV2 team when her four-week-old daughter Consy passed away in January](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/20/00/11084504-6828655-Speaking_out_In_a_series_of_tweets_season_two_2016_star_Malin_26-a-49_1553042905736.jpg)
Speaking out: In a series of tweets, season two 2016 star Malin, 26, admitted she was only sent flowers by the ITV2 team when her four-week-old daughter Consy passed away in January
Dom Lever, who appeared in the Love Island villa alongside Mike, joined Malin’s call for change.
He said: ‘I’m shocked at the news!! me and @MikeThalassitis may not have seen eye to eye but he was a top guy.
‘You get a psychological evaluation before and after you go on the show but hands down once you are done on the show you don’t get any support unless you’re number one.’
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/20/01/11084518-6828655-image-a-29_1553044356325.jpg)
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![Joining forces: Dom Lever and his wife Jessica Shears, who both appeared in the Love Island villa alongside Mike, joined Malin's call for change](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/16/21/11084524-6817601-image-a-25_1552770604474.jpg)
Joining forces: Dom Lever and his wife Jessica Shears, who both appeared in the Love Island villa alongside Mike, joined Malin’s call for change
His wife Jess Shears, who also starred on the show, added: ‘In complete shock, was lucky enough to get to know Mike, he was the loveliest guy. My heart breaks for his family.
‘Shows offer you ‘support’ but realistically it’s only while you are in their care. Minute you get home & are no longer making them money it’s out of sight out of mind.
‘There should be ongoing support & also financial advice. Life after these shows isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.’
A spokesperson for Love Island said at the time: ‘All of our islanders are offered psychological support before, during and after their time in the villa. We take our duty of care very seriously and this is always our top priority.’
![RIP: Metropolitan Police confirmed that Mike was found hanged in a park in Edmonton, North London on Saturday morning, with the star's manager confirming the news later that evening](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/20/00/11207580-6828655-image-a-53_1553042961515.jpg)
RIP: Metropolitan Police confirmed that Mike was found hanged in a park in Edmonton, North London on Saturday morning, with the star’s manager confirming the news later that evening
Metropolitan Police confirmed that Mike was found hanged in a park in Edmonton, North London on Saturday morning, with the star’s manager confirming the news later that evening.
The former League One footballer enjoyed a successful playing career before appearing on season three of the revamped dating show Love Island in 2017.
Speaking to MailOnline on Monday, Mike’s grandmother Rose Leitlands said the star’s death is ‘like a nightmare’.
Speaking at her home in Poole, Dorset, his 89-year-old nan, admitted: ‘I just can’t believe it. There was no reason for it and I keep thinking I’m going to wake up. I have nothing else to say’.
![Sad: The former League One footballer enjoyed a successful playing career before appearing on season three of the revamped dating show Love Island in 2017](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/20/00/11207340-6828655-image-a-54_1553042963518.jpg)
Sad: The former League One footballer enjoyed a successful playing career before appearing on season three of the revamped dating show Love Island in 2017
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/20/01/11207700-6828655-image-a-31_1553044356331.jpg)
Tragic: Sophie – who featured on Love Island in 2016 – was tragically found dead at her home in Ponteland in June last year, aged 32
Sophie – who featured on Love Island in 2016 – was tragically found dead at her home in Ponteland in June last year, aged 32.
Mike’s death comes after the inquest into Sophie’s death was cancelled after her parents received a report.
Her boyfriend, Aaron Armstrong, died 20 days later at his home in Blyth, Northumberland.
The inquest, scheduled for next Thursday, was cancelled by Northumberland Coroner’s Court.
A statement said: ‘Please note that it has been necessary to cancel the hearing date.
‘Sophie’s parents have requested further time to consider a report which was only recently received.’
If you have been affected by this story, call The Samaritans at any time, from any phone for FREE. Call 116 123.
![Devastating: Sophie's boyfriend Aaron died 20 days later in his home in Blyth, Northumberland](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/20/01/11074992-6828655-Devastating_Sophie_s_boyfriend_Aaron_died_20_days_later_in_his_h-a-30_1553044356328.jpg)
Devastating: Sophie’s boyfriend Aaron died 20 days later in his home in Blyth, Northumberland