Gladiators star Diane Youdale has shared the downsides of reality TV fame, reflecting on the tragic deaths of former Love Island stars.
The 52-year-old rose to fame as Jet on the popular 90s show and now works as a psychotherapist.
She has worked directly with those who have struggled mentally following their time on reality TV and hopes to educate people on the benefits of therapy.
Over the years, ITV2's Love Island has been criticised for the poor mental health guidance offered to those who enter the villa looking for love.
Since the show first launched back in 2015, former contestants Sophie Gardon and Mike Thalassitis have taken their own lives, followed most recently by host Caroline Flack.
Now, Diane is working to promote British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy’s (BACP) latest campaign, Therapy talks.
The former reality star is hoping the campaign will highlight how to look after your mental health.
Diane has shared her heartbreak for those who have tragically died following their time on reality shows.
"I find it so painful. I do know people who directly know one of the first contestants who didn’t survive her mental health battle outside of the show of Love Island.
"It was one of the character’s very early on who tragically took her life. Fame isn’t for everybody," she told Daily Star.
She also talked about Jacques O'Neill after he became the latest contestant to voluntarily leave the villa.
Jacques left the show during an emotional episode which aired last week, after admitting: "I just can't be myself so I'm trying my best but I'm not a fake person.
"I'm not gonna start faking things and act like I'm, okay when things inside are not okay, so I'm gonna be leaving today."
Diane said Jacques, 23, was showing visible signs of suffering from poor mental health and said the show wasn't for him.
His sister had previously confirmed that the former islander has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which can impact the way he behaves in social settings.
Diane has also spent time working as a therapist on Big Brother's Bit On The Side.
She explained how producers often don't know how individuals will cope in the reality TV environment until they're on the show.
She said: "The producers do the best to support them behind the scenes but no one knows until you’re in front of the camera."
Diane added there will always be come people who are going to suffer following their time on a reality show, "but they'll get a lot of love and support."
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@mirror.co.uk or call us direct 0207 29 33033.
