Calum Best has called for ‘Love Island’ viewers and bosses to "make sure" former Islanders are receiving plenty of "support and monitoring".
The 37-year-old reality TV star was left devastated when his pal and former ‘Love Island’ star Sophie Gradon – who appeared on the programme in 2016 – tragically passed away aged 32 last month, and he hopes show bosses make sure contestants’ "minds are right" after the programme.
He told Metro.co.uk: "I think that realistically, without getting too full on – because it is just a reality show and a lot of people are having fun – but … a friend of mine passed recently, Sophie Gradon, and she did the show as well.
"It really made me think that as much as fun as the show can be living on an island in sunshine, people need to make sure that people’s minds are right.
"Whether that’s viewers or the people on the show, we need to make sure there is support and monitoring."
ITV have insisted they always make sure their "duty of care" for contestants is a "top priority".
A spokesperson for the channel said: "All of our islanders are offered psychological support before, during and after their time in the villa. We take our duty of care very seriously and this is always our top priority."
Calum – who appeared on ITV’s ‘Celebrity Love Island’ in 2005 and 2006, winning the latter alongside Bianca Gascoigne – took to Twitter to pay tribute to Sophie following her passing, admitting her death was "so damn sad".
He tweeted: "Jesus how sad what a good woman and friend I’m so sorry for this loss ! My thoughts and prayers are with her family . So damn sad @sophiegradon RIP (sic)"
‘Love Island’ presenter Caroline Flack also paid tribute to Sophie on the programme’s spin-off show ‘Love Island: Aftersun’.
She said: "Tragically this week, we lost a beautiful soul in Sophie Gradon.
"She was a gorgeous person both inside and out, and everyone’s thoughts here at ‘Love Island’ are with Sophie’s friends and family at this really terrible time.
"Sophie, we’ll never forget you."
Calum Best calls for Love Islanders ‘support’
