Jake Quickenden has pleaded with people to ‘be nice’ to reality stars on social media after news broke of Love Island’s Mike Thalassitis’ suicide over the weekend.
Jake is well experienced in reality TV – competing in X Factor in 2012 and 2014, finishing off as a runner-up in I’m A Celebrity 2014 and winning Dancing On Ice 2018 – and says that he understands why stars can find life ‘hard’ after achieving sudden fame.
Speaking following the sad passing of former footballer Mike – who appeared in Love Island in 2017 and Celeb’s Go Dating in 2018 – Jake said on Jeremy Vine on Monday morning that he has been in ‘horrible places before.’
‘Before I did reality TV, I was just a bricklayer and you get thrown into this public spotlight, everything is scrutinised,’ he revealed.
‘If you’re painted in a certain way on these reality shows, it’s so hard to get rid of that. The abuse you can receive on social media can make anyone down, no matter how strong you are.’
He added: ‘I’ve been in horrible places before, luckily not from social media, because I don’t care what you say, my friends and family love me for who I am, I don’t care about your opinion of me because you don’t know the real me.
‘After my brother and dad died, lucky enough I was open enough to talk about it but I could easily have gone down a downward spiral.
‘So I can’t say enough how important it is to be nice.’
Jake also urged Love Island bosses to do more for contestants after they leave the ITV2 show.
He said: ‘They do provide help but it’s obviously not enough.’
Love Island has come under fire from some of its stars over the weekend, who claimed they weren’t sufficiently prepared for life after the villa.
ITV have since told Metro.co.uk: ‘Care for our Islanders is a process the show takes very seriously and is a continuous process for all those taking part in the show.
‘We ensure that all of our Contributors are able to access psychological support before, during and after appearing on the show.
‘The programme will always provide ongoing support when needed and where appropriate.’
On Sunday the police confirmed Mike died by suicide after his body was found in a North London park.
In a statement to Metro.co.uk, a Mets spokesperson said: ‘Police were called to a park near Latymer Way, N9 at 09:28hrs on Saturday, 16 March to reports of a man found hanged.
‘Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended and found a man, aged in his 20s, deceased.
‘At this early stage, the death is not being treated as suspicious.
‘Police are in the process of informing the man’s next of kin.
‘A file will be prepared for the coroner.’
Need support? Contact the Samaritans
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
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