Love Island host Caroline Flack was joined by Mike Thalassitis’ heartbroken co-stars Olivia Attwood, Tyla Carr and Gabby Allen in leading tributes to the late star.
Celebs Go Dating star Mike, 26, was found dead in a woodland near his hometown, in Essex early on Saturday, with reports suggesting he had been grieving for the loss of his grandmother and close friend.
Deeply saddened by the news, TV host Caroline praised the late star, whose cause of death is not yet known, as a ‘total gentleman’ as she accompanied her words with a throwback picture.
Love Island star Mike Thalassitis dies aged 26: Caroline Flack joins footballer’s devastated co-stars Tyla Carr, Sam Gowland and Gabby Allen in leading heartbreaking tributes to ‘lovely’ and ‘kind’ star
Heartbreaking: Olivia Attwood admitted she was left speechless by the news and she remarked he would be missed ‘terribly’ among his dearest family and friends
She wrote: ‘Mike… you were a total gentleman… I won’t forget that … it’s so sad …you will be missed. RIP. ❤️.’
Voiceover star Iain Stirling could also be seen behind Mike in the picture from the Love Island 2017 wrap party.
Olivia Attwood, who was briefly coupled up with Mike on Love Island, admitted she was left speechless by the news and said he would be missed ‘terribly’.
She wrote: ‘Literally don’t know what to say. Another one gone too young. Thinking of Mike’s family and friends at this horrendous time. You will be missed terribly.’
Social media was awash with tributes from the likes of his former flame Tyla Carr as well as his Love Island co-stars Sam, Gabby and Marcel Somerville.
Tyla, 26, who was partnered up with Mike on Love Island two years ago, shared generous words to pay tribute to her ex as she gave her love to his extended family and friends.
Pals: Meanwhile, Sam Gowland, who struck up a friendship with Mike after they were dumped from the villa and then brought back later on, shared a heartbreaking throwback picture
Heartbreaking: Celebs Go Dating star Mike, 26, was found dead in a woodland near his hometown, in Essex early on Saturday, with reports suggesting he had been grieving for the loss of his grandmother and close friend
She tweeted: ‘I can’t believe the call I’ve just had. Mike, you were loved by all of the Love island family. You’ll be missed so much. All my love goes out to your friends and family. Shocked.’
Sam, who struck up a friendship with Mike after they left the Mallorcan villa and brought back into the show, shared a throwback picture of the two of them with touching words about his ‘lifelong mate’.
He penned: ‘Absolutely lost for words not only made a friend in the villa but made a mate for life on the outside to !!! Absolutely devastated @mike_thala R.I.P my mate ❤️.’
Dom Lever put aside his differences with former love rival Mike as he joined his wife Jessica in writing sweet tributes after learning of the news.
He commented: ‘I’m shocked at the news!! me and @MikeThalassitis may not have seen eye to eye but he was a top guy.’
Jessica added: ‘In complete shock, was lucky enough to get to know Mike, he was the loveliest guy. My heart breaks for his family.’
Another co-star, Gabby wrote: ‘Such a kind genuine heart you had. Goodnight lovely.’
Marcel penned: ‘Absolutely Devastated By This News! Your gonna be missed little bro! Never forgotten!!! ❤️.’
He went on: ‘Absolutely Devastated!!! I was only chatting to you last week bro!!! I don’t wanna believe this!!! One of the real ones!!! You’ll be missed bro! Never be forgotten!!!! RIP…’
Danielle Sellers, who also appeared on Love Island series three and enjoyed a brief romance with Mike, shared she was ‘so grateful’ to have spent the last weekend with him.
The Love Island star went on to say her heart was broken and that she would always cherish the memories they made together after meeting on the show which propelled them both to fame.
Accompanied with video and snaps, she wrote: ‘My heart is broken. Will cherish our memories forever. You made me nothing but happy.
So sad: Having appeared on the second series of Love Island, Olivia Bowen shared a lengthy tribute as she praised Mike for being an ‘absolute gent’ as her husband Alex also penned a heartfelt note
‘So grateful to have spent the last weekend with you. Can’t believe I’m saying it Rest in peace mike ♥️ ps. Mike you don’t understand how hard it was for me to find appropriate pictures for Insta.’
Love Island co-star Chris Hughes hailed Mike as a ‘good guy, taken far, far, too soon’.
He said: ‘His name wasn’t Muggy Mike. Please stop brandishing that. His name was Mike Thalassitis, and every inch of my heart goes out to his family & friends. A good guy, taken far, far to soon.’
Love Island 2017 winners and exes Amber Davies and Kem Cetinay expressed their own heartache as they penned personal tributes to their friend and former co-star.
Amber wrote: ‘I am in utter shock. @MikeThalassitis you were one of the most genuine guy! I just can’t believe this! You’ll be missed so much you have no idea.’
Kem said: ‘Such heartbreaking news. My thoughts go out to all of Mikes friends and family.’
Love Island stars from season four, including the likes of Dr. Alex George and Alexandra Cane, also took to Twitter to pen their thoughts on the sad news.
This year’s winner Jack wrote: ‘My thoughts are with Mike’s family a lovely bloke gone far too soon rest in peace mate.’ Dani Dyer didn’t write any words but she did retweet 2017 series Chris’ tribute on Twitter.
Alexandra wrote: ‘In complete shock hearing about @MikeThalassitis. RIP, my heart is heavy. Thoughts & condolences to your family & friends.’
Accompanied with a heart emoji, Dr. Alex added: ‘Devastated to hear of the passing of Mike Thalassitis. My heart goes out to friends and family.’
Adam Collard typed it was ‘heartbreaking to hear’ the news and placed a blue heart emoji over a picture of him and Mike on a recent night out.
Zara McDermott said: ‘Mike… I am so sorry. You were nothing but a gentleman every time I met you… I wasn’t lucky enough to know you well but I know you were loved and adored by so many people.’
Bond: Although Jack Fowler wasn’t on the same series of Love Island as Mike, he revealed he knew the star two years before his starring role on the 2017 show
Wes Nelson shared: ‘Rest in Peace. Only met you on a couple of occasions and you were an absolute gent, thoughts go out to your loved ones and fans.’
In a lengthy message, Laura Anderson had her say: ‘I cannot believe my hears when hearing of the loss of Mike.
‘Every inch of my heart and strength goes to those closest to him. Having only met him a few times I cannot imagine how difficult this must be for his family and friends.
‘Please everyone be kind to yourselves and each other. This world is a difficult place, don’t make it any harder. Only love sympathy and respect.’
Close friends: Montana Brown took to Instagram on Sunday to share an emotional tribute to her late friend Mike Thalassitis, alongside recent photographs of the pair enjoying a night out together (pictured together in January)
Emotional tribute: ‘Firstly, I’m so angry at you for doing this because you are so loved by so many people and I just wish you picked up the phone so we could’ve sorted this out’ she wrote
Although Jack Fowler wasn’t on the same series of Love Island as Mike, he revealed he knew the star two years before his starring role on the 2017 show.
He wrote: ‘Can’t lie this one hit me. Worked together for two years before he went on Love Island.
‘He helped me settle in and gave me advice to do well because that was the kind of guy he was. Rest in peace.’
Having appeared on the second series of Love Island, Olivia Bowen shared a lengthy tribute as she praised Mike for being an ‘absolute gent’ as her husband Alex also penned a heartfelt note.
She shared via Instagram stories: ‘There is never enough words. I never know even if I should say any. To say Mike was an absolute gent is saying the least. We’ll never forget the good times you showed us.
Dark place: ‘Now I know you were in a dark place a few months back and I thought you were past it and that you were on the up’ penned Montana
Heartbroken: ‘I just don’t know how I didn’t notice… I am absolutely heart broken that I couldn’t help you’ despaired Montana
Montana Brown took to Instagram on Sunday to share an emotional tribute to her late friend Mike Thalassitis.
The model appeared alongside him on the ITV show in 2017, and admitted she has been left feeling ‘angry’ at the former footballer, 26, after he was found dead in woodland near his home in Essex on Saturday, and ‘heartbroken’ that she was unable to help him.
Montana also revealed that Mike had been in a ‘dark place a few months back’ and confessed that her former Love Island co-star had checked on her daily earlier this year, when she was ‘struggling’ herself.
Tragic: The 26-year-old enjoyed a successful career as a League Two professional footballer before becoming a beloved reality TV star after an appearance on season three of Love Island
‘I cannot even fathom how your real close friends and family feel. They’re the people I’m sending all my love my strength my thoughts to. I am so sorry.
‘Our hearts are broken for you. Mike. We love you.’
Olivia’s husband, whom she met on Love Island, also had some kind words to say about the series three star which he shared with his huge Twitter following.
He wrote: ‘I can’t get my head round this RIP brother. Mike Thalassistis.’
Malin Andersson wrote: ‘Oh my. I have zero words. I’m completely confused. Rest in peace.’
Kady McDermott said: ‘In absolute shock. Mike Thalassitis your lovely self and smile will be truly missed. I send my love and condolences to all of his friends and family at this awful time. Will never be forgotten. RIP.’
Often making public appearances on red carpets and at the hottest parties, Mike was well loved on the showbiz circuit among his fellow reality stars who have paid tribute to the star after his passing.
Ferne McCann wrote: ‘So so so so sad. Mike you absolute gent. I have no words. My heart and soul and love goes out to his friends & family. Too young. RIP.’
Vicky Pattison said: ‘I just realised we have no pictures together- I’m sorry, I do not even know what to say. I’m shocked and so incredibly sad.
‘You weren’t the person people thought you were mike- you were a beautiful soul and always made me laugh and cheered me up when I was down. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. This truly is a tragedy.
‘Rest in Peace my dear and I hope you know you were loved.’
In shock: Shocked fans took to social media to pay tribute to the reality TV star as the shocking news emerged
Split: Thalassitis had just went through a public breakup following a seven month relationship with fellow The Only Way Is Essex star Megan McKenna (pictured together in 2018)
Georgia Kousoulou: ‘Rest in peace mike .. I’m in such shock .. a young soul gone to soon .. my thoughts are with his family and loved ones.’
Sam Faiers said: ‘Rest in piece Mike my prayers are with your family & friends x.’
Lizzie Cundy shared a snap of them at a bash with the tribute: ‘Too sad for words. God bless you dear Mike.’
James Jordan said: ‘So much bad stuff been going on in the world recently and then I just heard that Mike Thalassitis from Love Island died at age 26. My heart goes out to his family and friends at this difficult time. Met him before and seemed like a top lad…. so so sad.’
Rachel Fenton wrote: ‘I’m lost for words. My heart breaks for your family. RIP.’
Jamie O’Hara chimed in: ‘Life been put into perspective today with the sad news about Mike Thalassitis, condolences to his family and friends, met him couple of times and a really nice guy. Losing too many young people.’
Dr Tijion Esho wrote: ‘We both grew up in Edmonton. In clinic all we would do is talk about settling down and having kids with our respective others, a side to you many didn’t see. You were one of the first to text me congratulations on my son and we hadn’t known each other long. RIP @MikeThalassitis.’
Sheridan Smith also noted: ‘This should be a massive wake up call, I feel sick, reach out, sometimes to the most confident friend. We can only learn & try to change.’
The former League Two footballer enjoyed a successful playing career before becoming a beloved reality TV star after appearing on season three of Love Island in the summer of 2017.
The news of his death comes just two months after his best friend Danny Cutts passed away on Christmas Eve.
Recently, further reports suggest he had been grieving for the loss of his grandmother as well as his close friend.
His manager confirmed the shock news on Saturday evening. The cause of his death is not yet known and police are yet to release any information.
Thalassitis went through a turbulent and public break up with The Only Way Is Essex star Megan McKenna last year, who is yet to break her silence on the sad news.
In an official statement to MailOnline, a representative for Love Island said: ‘Everyone at ITV2 and Love Island are shocked and saddened by this terrible news. ‘Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Mike’s family and friends at this very sad time.’
His manager confirmed the shock news on Saturday evening. The cause of his death is not yet known and police are yet to release any information.
Thalassitis went through a turbulent and public break up with The Only Way Is Essex star Megan McKenna last year, who is yet to break her silence on the sad news.
In an official statement to MailOnline, a representative for Love Island said: ‘Everyone at ITV2 and Love Island are shocked and saddened by this terrible news. ‘Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Mike’s family and friends at this very sad time.’
