Love Island’sSophie Gradon’s mum has hit out at the ITV2 show following the recent death of the former host Caroline Flack.
Deborah Gradon was torn between grief and anger when she heard that beloved presenter Caroline had taken her own life, last week.
Sophie, who starred in the second series of Love Island went on to take her own life in 2018, two years after catapulting to fame.
The star was found hanged at her family home in rural Northumberland.
Sophie’s parents Deborah and Colin have not recovered from the death of their only child.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Deborah, 60, said: “That poor girl was thrown to the wolves.
Sophie Gradon’s mum has spoken out following the death of Caroline Flack (Image: Twitter)
“ITV2 must have seen the vulnerability in her. They must have known what her career meant to her.”
She went on to say: “She was all over the place. They have access to the best clinical psychiatrists London has to offer.
“The question that haunts me is whether they could have done more to help her. I feel they owed Caroline and our daughter the same duty of care when they left the show.”
Caroline Flack tragically took her own life after a tough period (Image: PA)
Speaking about hearing the news of Caroline’s death, Deborah claimed she could “hardly breathe”.
“I managed to walk through to the kitchen, where my husband asked what was wrong. I said, ‘Caroline Flack’s been found dead in her flat.’ He just put his head in his hands and we both sat in stunned silence.”
She went on to say: “Then my phone started to bleep with messages from people… it catapulted me back into Hell — all those emotions we had after the loss of Sophie.”
Sophie was the first Love Island contestant to take their own life (Image: WENN.com)
Sophie Gradon, 32, was the first person involved with Love Island to take her own life after struggling with anxiety and depression.
Gradon’s boyfriend, Aaron Armstrong subsequently killed himself 20 days after the death of his girlfriend.
A coroner ruled that the pair had consumed the same substances and had both hung themselves.
Mike Thalassitis took his life last year and was discovered by a jogger (Image: PA)
Fellow Islander, Mike Thalassitis, 26, was found hanged in a London park by a jogger, close to his home in March 2019.
Deborah and Colin hoped that the “Machiavellian project” would be held to account when the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport set up its own inquiry into the deaths as well as the death of Jeremy Kyle Show guest, Steve Dymond.
“I hoped we’d be called as parents,” said Deborah.
“I thought we’d be asked to give evidence about the mindset, the manipulation and how Sophie was.
Deborah has hit out at ITV2
“When I heard about Caroline, I thought I’d find out where the Committee is with this now. Surely Caroline’s suicide has to add to it. But when I checked online, it said ‘status closed’.”
She went on to say: “You hope they will pick up the inquiry because there was no mention of reality TV.
“I feel as if ITV has been allowed to wriggle off a very uncomfortable hook, and that the Government is sweeping this issue under the carpet.”
For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
