In July 1997, the first contestant voted off the first episode of the first ever reality TV elimination show took his own life. 

Expedition Robinson was the first show of its kind anywhere, and it was going to be remembered not for breaking the mold of television, but for a death, the first of at least 40 suicides linked globally to a reality TV show.

In this powerful series, journalist Jacques Peretti charts the meteoric rise of reality TV from the early days of Survivor and The Contender through to The Bachelor, Married At First Sight, The Circle and Love Island.

For the first time TV Insiders reveal the lengths the industry is willing to go to to make the most sensational viewing possible, and the collateral damage that followed. The damaged lives of the everyday people who sold their souls to entertain us. And throughout, we talk to – or try to talk to – the people pulling the strings behind the scenes.

Some of the testimonies shared in this series are deeply personal and sensitive in nature. To help those contributors who may need support, the producers of this show have offered them access to a counselling service for free.

This series contains discussions about mental health, trauma, sexual abuse and suicide which some listeners may find upsetting. If you have been affected by any of the themes in the series please find links to organisations that can help you below:

Samaritans - call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. 

You can also call the Samaritans Welsh Language Line on 0808 164 0123 (7pm–11pm every day).

National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK - Offers a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK on 0800 689 5652 (open 24/7).

SANEline - If you're experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone else, you can call SANEline on 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm–10.30pm every day).

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - You can call the CALM on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day) if you are struggling and need to talk. Or if you prefer not to speak on the phone, you could try the CALM webchat service.

Survivors of Bereavement By Suicide - www.uksobs.org

Other international crisis helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.