TV

Love Island star Sophie Gradon’s mum hits out at ITV boss in heartbreaking letter


After battling mental health issues for a number of years, former Love Island star Sophie Gradon tragically committed suicide in 2018. 

Now, her mum Deborah Gradon has spoken out against comments made by ITV boss Dame Carolyn McCall during an appearance on The Today Programme. 

In an open letter published by The Sun, the heartbroken mum said that the CEO’s choice of words “belittled” and “trivialised” her daughter’s passing. 

The letter was published just as the highly publicised Love Island 2019 final was broadcasted across the UK, to millions of viewers. 

Sophie, 32, took her own life on June 20 of last year at her parents’ home in Medburn, Northumberland. 

Back in April, an inquest ruled that she had hanged herself after consuming cocaine and alcohol, with no third-party involvement in her death. 

Deborah was particularly upset by a comment Dame Carolyn had reportedly made about it being “strange” to link Sophie’s suicide to the reality dating series. 

She said: “It is an unspeakable loss.

Love Island

TRAGIC: Sophie’s mum remains heartbroken by her daughter’s passing (Pic: INSTAGRAM / SOPHIE GRADON)

INSTAGRAM / SOPHIE GRADON

FONDLY REMEMBERED: Sophie was just 32 at the time of her death (Pic: INSTAGRAM / SOPHIE GRADON)

“I feel the agony and all it’s attended miseries every day and I will continue to do so for the rest of my life.

“In my beautiful darling daughter’s own words: ‘I sold my soul to ITV’.”

Slamming the CEO for her comments, she added: “As a mother yourself, I hope your hypocrisy and haughtily placed remarks sit well with your conscience.”

Earlier this year, another Love Island star, Mike Thalassitis, 26, was found dead in the woods near his home, with an inquest ruling his cause of death as a suicide. 

INSTAGRAM / SOPHIE GRADON

THROWBACK: Sophie appeared on Love Island back in 2016 (Pic: ITV)

INSTAGRAM / SOPHIE GRADON

HEART-BREAKING: Mike was found dead in the woods near his home (Pic: GETTY)

ITV was under fire for the lack of counselling and support on offer for reality stars, many of whom were forced to deal with the pitfalls of fame as soon as they left the show. 

Mum Deborah added: “How dare you try to trivialise and belittle the deaths of our beloved children. To try and exercise some right of removal from the show, is principally evil.”

She added: “I have no authority to speak on behalf of Mike’s family, but I have no doubt that your insensitive and tactless remarks would have had the same influence on them, as it did on me.” 

Before adding: “The same pattern seems to repeat over and over. When will you ever learn?”

Daily Star Online has approached ITV for comment. 



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