'Love Island' contestants to have inclusion training before entering villa

Julia Hunt
·Contributor
Updated ·2 min read
Laura Whitmore hosts the much-loved dating show. (ITV)
Laura Whitmore hosts the much-loved dating show. (ITV)
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Love Island's new crop of singles are going to take part in inclusivity training, it has been announced.

The ITV dating reality show - which is hosted by Laura Whitmore - gets under way in June.

But beforehand, the contestants will be offered video training and guidance "covering inclusive language around disability, sexuality, race and ethnicity, behaviours and microaggressions".

Read more: Love Island contestants to wear second hand clothes in new series

The inclusion training will consist of conversations chaired by BCOMS (Black Collective of Media in Sport) founder Leon Mann MBE and including DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) consultant Hayley Bennett, disability specialist Shani Dhanda and broadcaster Sean Fletcher.

Inclusive language, behaviour, creating safe spaces and being a good ally will be among the topics discussed.

This image and the information contained herein is strictly embargoed until 21.00 Sunday 27th June 2021 From Lifted Entertainment Love Island: SR7: Ep1 on ITV2 and ITV Hub new episodes are available the following morning on BritBox Pictured: Liberty, Sharon, Kaz, Faye and Shannon. This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms For further information please contact: james.hilder@itv.com / 0207 157 3052
The Islanders will receive inclusion training. (ITV)

Islanders will also be shown a video of former contestants being interviewed about their experiences on the show.

It will include details on the fortnight before they enter the villa and how to cope being filmed around the clock.

Other issues on the agenda will be dealing with the trolling on social media and adapting to life away from the show.

Ade Rawcliffe, ITV's group director of diversity and inclusion, said: "The world we live in is changing every day, and we want all of our Islanders to feel they are part of an inclusive environment in the villa.

This image and the information contained herein is strictly embargoed until 21.00 Sunday 27th June 2021 From Lifted Entertainment Love Island: SR7 on ITV2 and ITV Hub new episodes are available the following morning on BritBox Pictured: The Villa. This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms For further information please contact: james.hilder@itv.com / 0207 157 3052
The show starts in June. (ITV)

"As part of our duty of care process, it is also important we play our part in educating our participants to understand and empathise with different perspectives and lived experiences.”

ITV has also shared details of the aftercare that will be offered to the contestants.

Read more: Ronan Keating flustered as he's asked if daughter is going on Love Island

It includes advice on finances and the offer of a minimum of eight therapy sessions once they are back home.

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Love Island previously came under scrutiny for the effect taking part can have on participants' mental health, after former contestants Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon both took their own lives.

Love Island returns on 6 June.

Watch: Iain Stirling says Love Island 2022 will be sexiest yet