Peter Andre calls for 'duty of care' across reality TV show networks: 'Look at a guy like Mike Thalassitis'

'It’s not just one person or one show'

(Getty Images)

Peter Andre has called for better aftercare for reality TV contestants in light of the suicide of former Love Island star, Mike Thalassitis, who Andre said “looked in peak condition”.

The musician-turned-stage actor came under fire last month for appearing to defend Jeremy Kyle after his namesake show was cancelled following the death of guest Steve Dymond. In an Instagram post, the 46-year-old said “it’s not right to hold Jeremy Kyle personally responsible for this”.

In a new interview with The Guardian, Andre, who has starred in several reality TV shows since appearing on I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here in 2004, explains that the psychological wellbeing of contestants needs to be examined from a wider perspective.

“I thought: what about all these other shows – Love Island, for example – where people have died?” he said.

“They were attacking Jeremy Kyle because his name is attached to the show. There has to be a duty of care across the networks. It’s not just one person or one show.”

Andre was shocked after Thalassitis’ death, telling the publication: “I only met him once or twice, Greek guy, 26 years old, looked in peak condition, good-looking guy, and he went and took his own life because of mental health. Twenty-six years old!”

Discussing what it’s like to leave a reality show, Andre said it’s almost inevitable to “fall into some sort of depression if you’ve got one ounce of weakness”, adding that even talent programmes such as The Voice of The X Factor can leave people feeling “devastated” because of the criticism they receive from viewers.

In order to combat the issue, Andre urged TV networks to conduct thorough psychological checks with prospective reality stars to see if they have the mental wherewithal to cope with the pressure. “They can’t just go, OK, that person looks good,” he said.

In light of the deaths of Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon, another former Love Island contestant, ITV announced new duty of care processes. Under the new strategy, cast members of the popular dating show will be offered psychological consultations throughout the series and a minimum of eight therapy sessions following their departure from the show. Producers will also maintain “proactive contact” with Islanders for a period of 14 months.

The processes have been reviewed by a former Chief Medical Officer, Dr Paul Litchfield, who described them as showing “a degree of diligence that demonstrates the seriousness with which this is taken by the production team”.