Written evidence submitted by James Green

Reality TV Contestant in 2006/07 Shipwrecked Battle of the Islands (RDF Media)

Back in October 2006 I flew out to the Cook Islands to take part in reality tv show Shipwrecked Battle of the Islands. The show was broadcast on Channel 4 and E4 for five months in length. It was covered in various magazines and newspapers throughout the duration of the show, including making front page news from the first episode.

It’s important to state that I did take a psychological test before entering the show and have a GP certificate to express that I was fit and well to take part in the show. But there was never a question of what to expect afterwards.

During the show, there were production crew that you could talk to, but these people were not professionals and certainly could not support us when we were having struggles ourselves.

After coming off the show however, not once was there any discussions/aftercare about what to expect in the real world since being away from the environment for months. First and foremost, adapting back to a new environment that often felt lonely after spending three months on the show surrounded by people 24/7. This was a challenge in itself to cope with this transition, but there was no advise or support put in place. I struggled a lot at times, building anxiety as the pressures grew.

When the show was broadcast on television, there was again no support as to cope with the reactions from the show from the viewers, whether online (back in 2007 Myspace and forums and chat rooms were commonly used) or walking down the street or being out in an evening. This situation, being recognised was alien to me and I’m certain is the same feeling by all first-time reality tv contestants. The worries and threats from members of the public, the online abuse, which although I was aware of the risks (through speaking to friends and family) I did not know the best way to cope and deal with these pressures and often confrontations that followed.

I was fortunate. Because the media coverage and the huge spotlight on Reality TV in 2019 is far greater than it was back in 2007. The increased online presence on platforms such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook allow more people a voice and an opinion. This heightens the pressures on any individual thrown into the spotlight without the professional support of people to guide them through. But even back in 2007, being thrown into this new world from Reality TV, I would have been incredibly grateful to have continued support throughout the following year.

In my opinion, the support contestants receive isn’t and has never been enough. The social media world we live in today can make Reality TV contestants extremely vulnerable to the pressures of modern society. But it is not just a reaction from the audience. It is the key pressures of adapting being back in the real world. I gave up my job at the time to take part on the show, which many Reality TV contestants do, and again there was no support to try and help the individual get back into working life, which is something that puts huge pressures on individuals.

As with Reality TV, some contestants do extremely well, some go off into obscurity, both can be very vulnerable if the support isn’t there. Coping with the simple things in life changing can be extremely tough. One minute you walk from A to B in five minutes, the next it takes you 30 minutes, because people are constantly stopping you.

The media pressures and spotlight on individuals, from photographers and journalists often hounding individuals for pictures, only for false stories to be put in the press. This is something I had in 2007, which again was extremely stressful to deal with, but again zero support was made available to advise the best professional ways to cope with this.

Support must not end as soon as the show finishes, or the shows end air date happens, it needs to continue much beyond this to support the individuals into adapting to life after Reality TV. For me, this aftercare should run for an absolute minimum one year, but there should be a support structure in place long after that too for those individuals who require it.

The production companies producing the show need to be the ones that on commission of a show, are responsible for the care of the individuals during the Reality TV process. This should be part of their submission to have a show on a TV or online platform. The TV company must then work with the production company to ensure this care is continued post show.

Reality TV is always there to test humans in an environment they have never been in before. The extremities of which vary from show to show, but every contestant will sign a document stating that the show could be manipulated in anyway shape or form. This is where it can get very dangerous for contestants. The production company has the rights to edit, adapt the format or change it in anyway, even at an individuals expense. This is where things need to change, and proper risk assessments carried out on the individuals health, following changes to the format/editing process.

I now work as a Television Presenter and still continue at times to read negative comments about myself online. Fortunately, I am in a strong mental position to be able to push them away, even though it is not easy. I have grown up with a sister who suffered from depression for years and I know the pain she went through herself. The mental struggles of young people in 2019 through social and media pressures is huge, but worryingly from such a young age. But these young people also aspire to one day be on a Reality TV show, or be like a contestant, who they now look at as role models. This just makes it even more vital that contestants are given the support they need, it certainly would of helped my journey 12 years ago.

I still believe Reality TV has a future, but the duty of care from the production companies and broadcast companies has to change and improve dramatically. It must be a legal obligation to provide care before, during and after the show for a set period of time for each individual contestant of any reality television show. The contestants welfare needs to start being put in front of viewing figures.

Many Thanks for taking the time out to read my submission.

August 2019