Ellie Brown says changes were "necessary" for the new series of ‘Love Island’ following the death of two former contestants.
The TV babe appeared in last year’s season of the hugely popular summer romance show and has praised ITV2 bosses for setting up new mental health and STI tests for contestants to undergo before they’re accepted on this year’s upcoming series.
And Ellie revealed that ‘Love Island’ had to make changes to the programme’s set-up following the tragic early deaths of former Miss Newcastle Sophie Gradon, who appeared in the second series, and 2017 star Mike Thalassitis, who both took their own lives.
Speaking at the Pride of Manchester Awards, Ellie told the Manchester Evening News: "I think after what’s happened the past year, that was necessary.
"It was something that the show had to do. If it hadn’t, there would be a lot of people that wouldn’t have felt the same way about it.
"’Love Island’ is loved by the nation and they want to continue it that way and I think this was the necessary step to make sure everyone was happy."
And the 21-year-old reality star admitted she felt pressure when she came out of the Majorcan villa, and moved to London despite not wanting too.
She added: "When we got out the show I felt that I needed to move to London but it was the worst thing ever. I remember telling Kendall [Knight], and she said, ‘You don’t need to do it.’ It was the worst thing I ever did."
This news comes as it was recently revealed that ‘Love Island’ chiefs are said to be prepared to axe potential contestants if they show "any hint of mental instability".
The source told The Sun newspaper: "They are prepared to cut potentially strong personalities from the line-up if there is any hint of mental instability."
In March, Richard Cowles, creative director of ITV Studios, admitted contestants on the ITV2 dating show will receive more support and ITV will be "proactively checking in" with former ‘Love Island’ stars "on a regular basis".
Ellie Brown: Love Island had to change
