Love Island stars and Jeremy Kyle guests to be quizzed by MPs

4 September 2019, 12:08

Former Love Island contestant Marcel Somerville will meet with MPs along with Yewande Biala and Chris WIlliamson
Former Love Island contestant Marcel Somerville will meet with MPs along with Yewande Biala and Chris WIlliamson. Picture: PA

By Maddie Goodfellow

Former Love Island contestants including Marcel Somerville, whose failed on-air romance played out on the show in front of millions of viewers, will be questioned by MPs over the impact of reality shows on contestants' mental health.

Three former Love Island contestants will appear before the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee later today as it discusses how people are treated after leaving reality TV shows.

MPs are investigating "representations of race, gender and body image and contestant preparedness for life after Love Island".

Marcel Somerville, Yewande Biala and Chris Williamson will be telling the committee their experiences on the ITV2 dating show.

The contestants will also be joined by two ex-guests from the Jeremy Kyle Show to discuss their treatment and aftercare on the show.

The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee announced, "We are questioning Chris Williamson, Marcel Somerville and Yewande Biala from Love Island and then Dwayne Davison and Robert Gregory from The Jeremy Kyle Show."

The official Twitter account also asked its followers, "How are race, gender and body image represented on reality TV shows? How do producers prepare participants for life after the show?"

The investigation comes after both shows have been heavily scrutinised since the deaths of former contestants and guests.

Love Island has been criticised following the deaths of two former contestants, Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis.

Sophie Gradon took her own life in June 2018, two years after she appeared on the show.

Mike Thalassitis was found dead in a park in North London after taking his own life in March 2019. He features as a Love Island contestant in the 2017 series.

Former Love Island contestant Mike Thalassitis look his own life in March 2019
Former Love Island contestant Mike Thalassitis look his own life in March 2019. Picture: PA

MPs will also hear from former guests on the Jeremy Kyle show.

The long running ITV daytime series was cut in May 2019 following the death of participant Steve Dymond.

Mr Dymond allegedly took his own life after reportedly failing a lie detector test on the programme.

The committee will hear from former guests Dwayne Davison and Robert Gregory.

Both men have previously stated, "the aftercare given to them was not robust and has had a serious negative impact on their lives".