Former Love Island host Caroline Flack, who lived in Barnsbury

THE mental health of people who appear on ITV’s ratings-winner Love Island will be closely monitored in the first series since the death of host Caroline Flack, it was announced his week.

In separate circumstances, Ms Flack, who lived in Barnsbury, and two former contestants took their own lives, leading to concerns about how those involved dealt with the intense attention that comes with appearing on the show.

ITV said this week that those who sign up for the show – where young adults compete for each other’s affection but sometimes find themselves bruised by rejection – would be given special training and therapy.

This will include “financial management” and “how to handle potential negativity” on social media, while they are being advised to seek management even before going into the contest.

Each episode triggers hundreds of tweets about how potential couples are behaving, flirting together and arguing, and this rush of messages being sent to those previously unexposed to such focus has been a cause of concern.

Some contestants said they felt bullied online.

Dr Paul Litchfield, a former chief medical officer who was appointed three years ago to work on the programme, said: “Society’s appreciation of mental health and wellbeing has grown enormously in recent years.

“ITV’s evolving commitment to these issues, backed up by tangible action, is an example to others in the industry and beyond.”

Ms Flack’s friend, singer Olly Murs, was this week trekking across the Lake District in her memory and raising money for the Samaritans.

A coroner’s inquest into the 40-year-old’s death heard reports that she felt “hounded” by the media and that her mental health had deteriorated.

Coroner Dr Mary Hassell said: “For some, it seems she had a charmed life – but the more famous she got the more mentally distressed she became.

“Her trauma was played out in the national press and that was incredibly distressing for her.”

• Anyone struggling is urged to call the Samaritans who offer free and confidential advice during times of crisis. You can contact them on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org