Love Island’s Malin Andersson thinks the show needs to provide more "aftercare" to the contestants following the tragic death of her co-star Sophie Gradon this week.
The 25-year-old make-up artist – who starred alongside Sophie on the dating series in 2016 – has admitted it came as a huge "shock" when she found out the former Miss Great Britain model had died at the age of just 32 in an apparent suicide but thinks the ITV2 programme, which catapulted them both into the limelight, is to blame.
Speaking to BBC’s ‘Newsbeat’, she said: "There just needs to be more done about it and a lot more aftercare provided by certain reality TV shows. She did talk to me a lot about personal situations quite close to when the show had finished.
"It was a shock for both of us when we came out of the villa, and I completely understood where she was coming from because I felt the same."
The brunette beauty thinks reality TV is a "weird industry" and can understand why people who are thrown into the limelight like that develop depression when it’s over.
She explained: "It’s like you’re constantly reaching for some kind of high and when work dies down and things go quiet you’re constantly trying to chase it – and that’s where depression can kick in. A lot of fellow friends that have been on shows have said the same, and it’s something that’s not looked into as much. It’s really serious. I’ve been there myself and it’s horrible."
Malin last heard from Sophie a "few days ago" and has admitted her passing still hasn’t sunk in for her and she doesn’t think she’ll come to terms with it for a "while."
She said: "I didn’t believe it. A friend of mine rang and told me. I thought it was a joke or something. It still hasn’t sunk in to be honest and I don’t think it will for a while."
Sophie was found dead at her parents’ home near Newcastle on Wednesday (20.06.18). Her death is not being treated as suspicious.
Malin Andersson thinks Love Island should provide better ‘aftercare’
