"What kind of animals are you?" Reality TV show 'exploits' death of contestant's dad.

A reality TV show has been accused of exploiting the death of a contestant’s father in an attempt to boost ratings.

The Turkish dating show, Kismetse Olur, which translates to ‘If Fortune Allows It Will Happen’, sees participants put in scenarios for romance while living in a house together.

One of the housemates, Merve Kovanci, found out her father was ill during filming, and later that he had died.

It’s news that would have distressed anyone, but it was how she was told this upsetting event that has been heavily criticised by viewers.

Instead of telling her directly off-air, the producers gave another participant an envelope to hand to Ms Kovanci as cameras filmed her reaction to news of her father’s illness.

The woman teared up as she read the letter and left the show's set immediately, but other housemates were not made aware why she left and began to speculate.

While the envelope Ms Kovanci read told her that her father was ill, a second envelope was handed to the rest of the housemates, telling them he had actually died, The Mirror reports.

Listen: Robin Bailey and Rebecca Sparrow discuss the seven stages of grief on The Well.

Social media users were immediately critical of the channel that broadcasts the show, Kanal D.

"I am happy that I didn’t watch the show that uses death for ratings, shame on this program," one viewer said, according to The Mirror.

"Our condolences, Merve, we feel very sorry for you and damn the production that misused this," another said.

"Kanal D, what kind of animals are you, you use a girl's grief for ratings?" one wrote.

Another said that playing with the woman's emotions for the sake of ratings was "very embarrassing".

The Mirror reports the young woman’s father had been undergoing cancer treatment before he died.

Ms Kovanci is believed to be grieving with her family and has not yet spoken publicly about the incident.