The Bachelorette's Todd King reveals how reality TV producers manipulate characters into 'heroes' and 'villains' as he reflects on the death of Love Island star Mike Thalassitis

The death of Love Island star Mike Thalassitis aged 26 last week has sent shockwaves through the television industry.

And as questions are raised about the psychological impact of reality TV, Bachelorette contestant Todd King has shared his own personal experience.

Todd, who is the same age as Mike was when he died, revealed on Instagram that he was one of the lucky ones who received a favourable edit.

However, he acknowledged that the 'heroes' and 'villains' of reality TV are just characters invented in post-production.

He gave the example of how he 'betrayed' fellow Bachelorette star Bill Goldsmith during filming, but this wasn't shown on television.

Instead, Todd was portrayed as the sympathetic runner-up while Bill was ended up being one of the show's 'bad boys'. 

Todd wrote: 'I was lucky enough to be portrayed fairly on the Bach[elorette], but for some, only the negatives of their experiences are shown to the public.

'Bill is a true gentleman, he was always so gracious in the face of critique and ridicule. I misjudged him and betrayed him - yet he was kind enough to forgive me when he didn't have to and now we have a supportive friendship.

'But you didn't know [from watching the final edit] I stabbed him in the back and shared one of our private conversations.'  

Todd then praised two other co-stars: Danny Harris-Wolf, who was portrayed as awkward and slightly strange on The Bachelorette, and Daniel Noonan, who barely spoke in the final edit.

'Danny is one of the most caring, considerate people I've ever met and Daniel is actually really chatty and outgoing (surprising?)', he wrote.

Mike Thalassitis, a former soccer player who appeared on Love Island UK in 2017, was found hanged near his North London home last week.

He was apparently struggling with debt and the deaths of his best friend and grandmother before taking his own life.