THE inquest into the death of Love Island star Mike Thalassitis will open today.
Mike, 26, was found hanged in a park after a suspected suicide near his family home in Edmonton, North London on March 15.
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The probe into the tragic reality TV star’s death had been scheduled for May 29 but was delayed until two days after Love Island 2019 started.
Mike is believed to have been grieving the death of his 94-year-old gran and faced mounting debts before his death.
A new series of the smash-hit ITV series launches on June 3 with 12 new Islanders.
But Love Island has come under fire after the deaths of Mike and another ex-contestant, Sophie Gradon, 32.
GRIEVING
Former beauty queen Sophie took cocaine and drank alcohol before hanging herself on June 20 at her family home, an inquest heard last month.
ITV bosses are boosting after-care for Love Island contestants in the wake of the tragedies.
Stars of the show will be given training in dealing with social media trolls and financial planning.
This is a much bigger issue than just a reality TV show, and when something this bad happens… when something this horrible and sad occurs, it’s so dangerous to point fingers within hours and minutes of it happening
Caroline Flack
But Love Island presenter Caroline Flack, 39, hit back at critics blaming the show for the deaths.
She told Cosmopolitan magazine: “It’s dangerous and I’m really, really angry.
“It’s not just that you’re blaming a TV show, you’re blaming people and their jobs.
“In life, we all have a duty of care to look out for each other, but I don’t think it’s fair to point fingers of blame.
“This is a much bigger issue than just a reality TV show, and when something this bad happens… when something this horrible and sad occurs, it’s so dangerous to point fingers within hours and minutes of it happening.”
She added: “None of us know what’s going through someone’s mind and we can’t sit there and speculate.”
According to fellow contestant Montana Brown, Mike had been in a “dark place” in the months before he died.
‘LOVING MEMORY’
The inquest will open at North London Coroner’s Court today.
With a career in lower league football, Thalassitis joined the cast for Love Island in 2017. He was also filmed for Celebs Go Dating.
His death helped to spark national discussion over the welfare of reality star and the aftercare provided to those who are suddenly thrown into the spotlight.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said in the wake of the star’s death: “The sudden exposure to massive fame, I suppose, can have significant impacts on people and I think that it is a duty on any organisation that is putting people in the position of making them famous overnight, that they should also look after them afterwards.”
Producers paid tribute to Thalassitis at the end of the opening episode of the new series, which aired on Monday night.
Beneath a photo, a message on screen read: “In loving memory of Mike Thalassitis 1993-2019.”
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123, or visit Mind’s website.
