Nadia Essex says Celebs Go Dating hurt tragic Mike Thalassitis more than Love Island and should be axed
NADIA Essex has said Celebs Go Dating should be axed as it hurt tragic Mike Thalassitis more than Love Island.
The dating expert grew close to Mike, 26, after he appeared on the fourth series of the E4 show in February last year.
Nadia was left devastated by Mike's death in March, which came less than two years after he appeared on Love Island.
As the public demanded the ITV2 reality show be cancelled in the wake of The Jeremy Kyle's Show's axe earlier this week, Nadia took to social media to say Celebs Go Dating should also be on the chopping block.
The star - who was suspended from the dating show in September last year - wrote: "Mike was on 2 other tv shows AFTER Love Island and believe me it was a lot more complex than being on Love Island why he passed away.
"Social media, bad financial management and the 5 mins of fame that soon dwindles have more an impact on everyone’s mental health than 1 tv show."
Mike hanged himself in North London in March aged just 26.
When some of her followers hit back that the potential lack of aftercare on the show could have played a part, she replied: "Yes but you can’t blame Love Island when he was on two other tv shows after he was on there.
"Don’t see anyone calling for Celebs Go Dating to be axed when that did more to hurt him social media wise than Love Island ever did.
"Trust me, I think when the country finds out exactly what was going on behind the scenes at CGD the industry will change forever."
Earlier this week, Love Island fans feared the hit reality show would be cancelled after axing Jeremy Kyle.
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Fans are worried the dating series will suffer the same fate as the chat show - which was scrapped after the death of a guest - because two contestants.
The fear comes as many accuse ITV of double standards for cancelling Jeremy Kyle and not Love Island.
However lots are baffled how ITV can defend Love Island following the suicides of contestants Mike and Sophie Gradon.
Many have accused the network of giving the reality TV series preferential treatment because of its huge ratings.
The show is responsible for ITV2's highest viewing figures to date with an incredible 3.6 million viewers tuning in to watch Caroline Flack host the series four finale on July 30 2018.
It was the most watched programme in its slot across all channels and the most watched programme for 16-34s, with 1.6 million 16-34 viewers.
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