Vicky Pattison has said she felt vulnerable and unsupported when she began her reality television career 15 years ago, and that she became a caricature of herself.
The 38-year-old TV and radio host rose to prominence on MTV's Geordie Shore in 2011 before fronting her own reality programmes and winning I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! on ITV in 2015.
Duty of care discussion
Drawing on her experience across numerous shows, Vicky joined the panel at Edinburgh TV Festival on Thursday (27 August) for Too Big to Fail: Reality TV's Duty of Care Reckoning. She appeared alongside session moderator Rishi Davada, Mindzone Media's Dr Howard Fine and senior communication and media lecturer Dr Jilly Kay.
She stated: "I can only speak from my own personal experience but when I first started in reality TV I felt really unprotected like there was no-one there who genuinely had my best interest at heart."
Dangerous path
The Geordie Shore star, who appeared on the show for four series, added: "I was obviously too inexperienced, too young and too excited initially to be there or to want to rock the boat and I think that led me down a dangerous path.
"I was very easily to be manipulated and trying to become someone I thought everyone wanted us to be in terms of producers and execs and things like that and doing so I lost myself entirely.
"I became a caricature of myself and someone I really proud of and I would love to see that not happen to anyone else. I think we need someone looking after contributors whether that be in individual welfare person, a union or an agent. Just someone who understands the game and can help them feel less alone."
Call for changes
Vicky called for alterations to programmes like Big Brother and Love Island, where participants aren't even aware of the time. She added: "I also think there's some practices that are just completely archaic. like not having a clock? What is that? Give us a clock and let us know what time it is? Also not being able to have phone calls with your parents.
"There are things I remember that I feel were deliberately put in place to make you feel alone or unsettled and I don't think there's a place for that on TV anymore."
Becoming emotional on stage, Vicky stated: "Put it this way If my children wanted to be in reality television I'd be terrified. I just wouldn't want them to go through what I did and I think that's very telling."
Geordie Shore exit
Vicky featured on Geordie Shore for nine series spanning four years. Upon her exit she remarked: "The show hasn't grown up and I have. The rumours are true, it's the right time for me to leave.
"A lot of the people in the house are gonna be quite content to be 40 and still downing Jägerbombs and pulling birds. But for me that was just never an option."
Chronicle Live has contacted MTV for comment. Vicky is now married to former TOWIE star Ercan Ramadan, and the pair featured in their own dedicated documentary series on E4, entitled Vicky Pattison: Maybe, Baby?, which aired earlier this year. The programme delved into the challenges of starting a family, explored alternative routes to motherhood, and examined their own personal doubts and hesitations.
