‘Love Island’ bosses have insisted they are “not a**eholes” and that their duty of care for is “always first and foremost for Islanders”, but admitted contestants’ relationships will be “tested” on the upcoming series.
Angela Jain, ITV Studios Entertainment managing director, insists the company’s duty of care is “always first and foremost for Islanders”, and says it is “entirely normal” to update aftercare procedures.
ITV confirmed a number of changes to their duty of care processes earlier this month after the dating show came under fire following the deaths of former contestants Sophie Gradon, 32, and Mike Thalassitis, 26 – and some called for the programme to be axed after ITV dropped ‘The Jeremy Kyle Show’ following a participant death.
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Angela said:
“The level of scrutiny we’re under has changed, it’s entirely normal to keep evolving those aftercare procedures – that in no way is going to impact on our editorial.
That in no way is going to make us make the show differently.
Our duty of care is always first and foremost for the Islanders. We’re not a**eholes. We really do care about the show and we really care about those Islanders. [The lie detector] – that’s one episode of 57 episodes. It’s not even a big element.”
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The show’s bosses have vowed to make contestants – who this year include AJ Pritchard’s brother Curtis Pritchard – “fully aware that their relationships will be tested” once they head into the villa.
Angela added:
“With regard to format twists, we’re trying to mirror real life. Relationships in real life get tested – that’s entirely normal. We are going to and the Islanders are fully aware that their relationships will be tested.
How we do that … often we’re reacting to the narrative in the villa, but we try to be entirely flexible about that.
But we will do that, because that’s what the expectation is from the audience, and from the Islanders.”
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ITV recently confirmed they will give contestants “enhanced psychological support” and “a proactive aftercare package”, and said there will be more detailed conversations with potential Islanders regarding the impact of participation on the show.
What’s more, there will also be bespoke training for all Islanders on social media and financial management, which extends support to all Islanders following their participation.
‘Love Island’ returns on Monday (03.06.19) at 9pm on ITV2.