Health Secretary Matt Hancock has voiced concerns about the support offered to reality show contestants following the death of Love Island star Michael Thalassitis.
The UK Cypriot celebrity TV star and footballer was tragically found dead at a park near Latymer Way in Edmonton, North London at 9.30am on Saturday, aged just 26.
Speaking at the Spectator health summit in London, the Health Secretary said: “The sudden exposure to massive fame… can have significant impacts on people. I think that it is a duty on any organisation that is putting people in the position of making them famous overnight, that they should also look after them afterwards. I think that people need to take responsibility for their duties to people’s well-being very seriously.”
Mike’s death comes after his grandmother Despina who was born in Lofou, Cyprus – whom he had lived with for a month in order to care for her – died on 4th March, while his best friend Danny Cutts passed away on Christmas Eve.
Reports also suggest he was plagued with “huge debts” and was still distraught after his split from Towie star Megan McKenna late last year.
In the wake of Mike’s death, former Love Island contestants have slammed the show for not providing aftercare. Dom Lever tweeted: “Once you are done on the show you don’t get any support. You get a psychological evaluation before and after you go on the show but hands down once you are done on the show you don’t get any support unless you’re number one.”
Sophie Gradon, who appeared on Love Island in 2016, was also found dead in June last year.
Born in Edmonton, Mike, had a stint on the 2017 series of ITV2 dating show Love Island, also starred on reality TV show Celebs Go Dating.
He was also a semi-pro footballer having played for teams such as Ebbsfleet United, St Albans, Chelmsford, Welling United, Stevenage and Margate. He also represented the Cyprus national team.
Ebbsfleet paid tribute to the striker, who scored 11 goals in 46 appearances for the National League side. The club wrote: “All of us at Ebbsfleet United FC are shocked and saddened to hear of the death of our former striker Michael Thalassitis. RIP Michael – and our heartfelt condolences to all his family and friends.”
The reality star was due to open his own restaurant called The Skillet in Essex with former professional footballer Scott Neilson.
His last post to social media was a gym selfie on March 5.
Cleaning Up star Sheridan Smith said Mike’s death should be a “massive wake up call.”
Writing on Twitter, the BAFTA award-winner asked fans to reach out to their friends, even those who might outwardly appear confident and happy. “I feel sick, reach out, sometimes to the most confident friend. We can only learn & try to change.”
Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Mike’s family and friends at this very sad time.