Sussex Love Island contestant Amy Hart says she quit the show in order to protect her mental health

Amy, who is from Worthing, had been in a relationship with Curtis Pritchard before they split up, and he later got together with Maura Higgins.

The former air hostess said she left the villa rather than watch her ex become involved with someone else, saying she was ‘in a horrible place’ and feared it would trigger her anxiety.

In an interview with The Sun, Amy said: ‘I chose my mental health over the reality show.

‘I was in a very horrible place over the last week, to be told that the gloves were off with Maura and I had to 'brace myself', like a storm. I knew I had to leave when I did.

‘I'm kidding myself thinking that I can watch Curtis cracking on with Maura. It would be self-sabotage.

‘It's not nice. I have to put myself and my sanity first.’

Amy said she lost six pounds through not eating and Love Island producers ‘stood over’ her to make sure she ate.

She added: ‘I feel a million times better now I've left, but I defy anyone not to fall apart and be completely heartbroken. I was very confused. I couldn't eat, I lost six pounds.’

Despite her mental health worries since appearing on the show, Amy, 26, praised Love Island's duty of care, which had been placed under scrutiny after former contestants Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis took their own lives.