Mike Thalassitis’ parents have spoken out about his tragic suicide on the fifth anniversary of his death, insisting that ITV could have offered him better support after Love Island.
Mike took his life at the age of 26 in March 2019, after shooting fame on the hit reality show on series three in 2017.
He was found dead by a jogger in a park near his north London home, where he left notes to his family making clear his intention to kill himself.
His friends revealed he had been ‘in a dark place’ in the months leading up to his death, thought to have been struggling to come to terms with the death of his grandmother and was said to have been dealing with debt.
Mike’s death came less than a year after fellow Love Island contestant Sophie Gradon, 32, also took her own life, being found at her home in Ponteland, Northumberland, by her boyfriend and his brother in June 2018.
Mike Thalassitis ‘ parents have spoken out about his tragic suicide on the fifth anniversary of his death, insisting that ITV could have offered him better support after Love Island
Mike took his life at the age of 26 in March 2019, after shooting fame on the hit reality show on series three in 2017 (pictured on show)
Less than 12 months after Mike’s passing, Love Island host Caroline Flack also died by suicide in February 2020, a day after hearing the Crown Prosecution Service would go ahead with a trial for allegedly attacking her boyfriend Lewis Burton.
Following the tragic deaths, producers announce new duty of care policies towards contestants, saying all would be able to access therapy sessions, social media and financial training, and a minimum of 14 months of ‘proactive’ contact.
But Mike’s heartbroken parents Shirley and Andy Thalassitis have said that the changes were ‘too slow coming’, adding: ‘It’s too late for Michael and Caroline’.
Speaking to The Mirror, they said that the show had let them down, and added that they would be open to meeting Caroline’s family.
Shirley, 66, said: ‘Mike never received any support after he came out of the show, although ITV bosses were supportive when he passed. They introduced more support after the suicides, but it’s too late for Michael and Caroline. We would be open to meeting them – we feel that the show really let Caroline down.’
The couple added that Mike struggled to deal with the sudden fame from being on the show and had to deal with online trolls calling him names and branding him ‘vile’.
Shirley explained Mike went from 15,000 Instagram followers to over 500,000, and couldn’t walk down the street without being called out by stranger, but protected his family from the abuse.
Andy, 68, added: ‘The contestants going in now know what the score is but back seven years ago when the show was in its infancy they had no idea.’
Mike’s death came less than a year after fellow Love Island contestant Sophie Gradon, 32, also took her own life in June 2018 (pictured on Love Island)
Less than 12 months after Mike’s passing, Love Island host Caroline Flack also died by suicide in February 2020, a day after hearing the Crown Prosecution Service would go ahead with a trial for allegedly attacking her boyfriend Lewis Burton (Caroline pictured on show in 2018)
Mike had been battling with his mental health in the lead up to his death, and had been prescribed antidepressants by his GP, which Shirley revealed that her and Andy didn’t know about, until after he passed.
She said: ‘Andy and I wish Michael had confided in us or his friends but he kept everything bottled up and put on a fake exterior when really he was dying inside.
‘Whoever said time heals has obviously never lost a child. There isn’t a day that goes by when we don’t think about him. We love and miss him so much.’
Andy went on to say that the one thing that they find ‘very comforting’ is knowing that Mike’s death has ‘helped men talk more openly about their mental health’, adding he know that Mike would ‘be pleased’ to know this.
Shirley and Andy insisted that anyone else suffering should not rely on a doctor and should ensure they open up to their loved ones, as ‘they’re the ones who love you and will do everything and anything to help you.’
They also revealed that they are still in touch with Mike’s close friend and fellow Love Island star, Montana Brown.
The mother-of-one, 27, previously revealed she suffered from depression following Mike’s death, admitting that she was plagued with thoughts of whether she could have ‘saved him’.
She appeared on This Morning shortly after Mike’s death and discussed how he had texted her prior to his death but she didn’t reply.
Mike’s heartbroken parents Shirley and Andy Thalassitis have said that the changes were ‘too slow coming’, and added that they would be open to meeting Caroline’s family (Shirley pictured with Mike)
The couple added that Mike struggled to deal with the sudden fame from being on the show and had to deal with online trolls calling him names and branding him ‘vile’ (pictured 2018)
‘I spoke to him two days before. But I’m kicking myself because he text me but I didn’t actually reply. I’m really bad on my phone. I wish I had replied,’ she said, through tears.
She said: ‘Losing someone to suicide is up there with one of the worst ways to lose somebody because you are always left with the feeling you could have saved them in some way.’
In 2021, Shirley met Sophie’s mother Deborah, 64, for the first time in London, where both women broke down in tears as they consoled one another for the loss of their children.
Deborah tearfully told Shirley: ‘I’ve wanted you to know I’ve been thinking of you for so long.’
Both mothers revealed that neither of them can stand to watch the show, with Deborah admitting even the theme tune makes her feel sick.
She has called for disciplinary action against ITV and demanded the show be axed, claiming her daughter was never the same again after taking part in the reality series.
She told The Sunday Mirror: ‘It’s a disgrace that they should be allowed to bring it back after three adored, precious people with connections to the show have taken their own lives.’
And she warned upcoming contestants: ‘They don’t understand just how much the overnight fame and the trolling can affect them. They should walk away before it’s too late.’
They also revealed that they are still in touch with Mike’s close friend and fellow Love Island star, Montana Brown (Shirley and Montana pictured at Mike’s funeral in June 2019)
The mother-of-one, 27, previously revealed she suffered from depression following Mike’s death, admitting that she was plagued with thoughts of whether she could have ‘saved him’
In 2021, Shirley met Sophie’s mother Deborah, 64, (pictured) for the first time in London, where both women broke down in tears as they consoled one another
While Shirley spoke candidly about her and Andy’s grief to the Mirror, saying: ‘We have to live with what happened and he is on our mind every single day.’
Andy explained that they weren’t aware of their son’s mental health struggles, saying: ‘We just didn’t see it coming. I felt utter disbelief.
‘He came to the house the Thursday before and said he was fine. He said, “I’ll see you Sunday”, and that was it.’
Shirley added that she visits Mike’s grave several times a week because it comforts her, and says she takes the time to have a ‘quiet moment’ when she is there.
An ITV spokesman told The Mirror: ‘Welfare and duty of care towards our contributors is always our primary concern, and we have extensive measures in place to support the islanders before, during and after their participation on the show.
‘We have continued to evolve our process with each series, as the level of social media and media attention around the islanders has increased.
For confidential support or advice call the Samaritans on 116 123 for free or visit www.samaritans.org