Friends have paid tribute to Love Island star Mike Thalassitis after he was found hanged in a park by his childhood home aged 26.
Model Ellie O’Donnell was among those paying tribute, describing him as the ‘kindest soul’ in an Instagram tribute but denying reports she was his girlfriend.
Thalassitis, who was found dead in Edmonton, North London, on Saturday, found fame on ITV’s Love Island in 2017 and was on E4’s Celebs Go Dating last year.
Model Ellie O’Donnell was among those paying tribute to Love Island star Mike Thalassitis, who was found dead aged 26 in Edmonton, North London, describing him as the ‘kindest soul’
Love Island star Mike Thalassitis (pictured left and right) was found dead in woods in London
Miss O’Donnell wrote: ‘I wish to God this was a nightmare and I could wake up. I can’t believe you are gone. It doesn’t feel real. You were literally texting me yesterday pictures of the samples for the colour of the tables in your new restaurant.
‘That was your last text to me. I had no idea it would be the last time I’d ever hear from you. You were the kindest soul, you were so funny, you had so much to live for.
‘I’ll never forget the last few days I spent with you. I’m glad I got to hear you laugh and see you smile before you left this world.’
She added that he was a ‘dear friend’ who ‘helped me massively through a difficult time in my life and I will be forever thankful to him for making me smile again’.
Yesterday, former classmates visited the park where they had played with Thalassitis to pay tribute to their ‘talented and comedial friend’.
One friend’s house is along the route Thalassitis would have taken from his home to the park.
Mike Thalassitis with his mother Shirley Thalassitis, 61. Mike’s parents Andreas Thalassitis, 62, and Mrs Thalassitis were too upset to comment
Flowers and tributes arrive outside Thalassitis’s new restaurant which was set to open next week in Loughton, Essex
Thalassitis had just gone through a public breakup following a seven month relationship with fellow The Only Way Is Essex star Megan McKenna
The 26-year-old said: ‘Michael walked by my house to take his own life and I wish, I wish that he could have stopped at my door.
‘He could have said anything, absolute anything, I would be there, I would do all that I could to help him. We used to come to this park as kids, man.
The reality TV star had moved in with the 94-year-old after her deteriorating health meant she needed a full time carer
‘We played football here, we got mugged here. There are so many memories of Mike here, we used to run out to the flats there. We used to knock around and play football here and loads of other things.’
He described his childhood friend as ‘not just a footballer, he had the brain matter to think of things and then carry it out’.
He said: ‘I know Mike, he would have me in stitches laughing, he was comedial, he had so much talent. Mike must have been lonely. A character, he had to play a character.’
It has been suggested that Thalassitis had been struggling with the death of his grandmother and had recently been dealing with debt.
The reality TV star had moved in with the 94-year-old after her deteriorating health meant she needed a full time carer.
He had also been suffering from the end of a football career when a re-occurring injury forced him to quit playing for Stevenage Borough FC.
The end of his career led to the 26-year-old entering Love Island where he faced abuse for his treatment of the women in the reality show.
But his friends remember him as so much more than ‘muggy’ Mike.
Another childhood friend said: ‘He was a talented footballer but he was out on an injury, I remember growing up his dad used to push him towards football in a really good way.
‘His dad would get him up and say come on let’s go let’s get there early. His dad was a good guy and he had an amazing mum.
‘Mike played for Stevenage and imagine your whole life you think this is what I’m going to do, you get to division two and the injury comes and it’s over.
‘It was bad, it was a reoccurring injury. You have dreams and ambitions and then it’s gone.’
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: ‘We were called to a park near Latymer Way, N9 at 9.28am on Saturday, March 16 to reports of a man found hanged.
‘Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended and found a man, aged in his 20s, deceased. At this early stage, the death is not being treated as suspicious.
‘Police are in the process of informing the man’s next of kin. A file will be prepared for the coroner.’
Former Love Island contestant Montana Brown said that Thalassitis had been ‘in a dark place’ recently, wishing she had done more to help.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed this morning that the body of a man had been found at 9.28am on Saturday, with the circumstances around the death not considered to be suspicious.
A spokesman said: ‘Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended and found a man, aged in his 20s, deceased. Police are in the process of informing the man’s next of kin.’
Former Love Island contestant Dom Lever tweeted that once people had finished on the show then there was no support
Malin Andersson also tweeted and said that ‘Enough is enough’ following the death of former Love Island contestant Mike
Mike (pictured above) rose to fame after his stint on the hit ITV show Love Island, which shows a group of singles try to ‘couple up’ in order to win a cash prize
Malin Andersson said she received no support of help from the producers of the ITV shows following the death of her daughter
Thalassitis’s parents Andreas Thalassitis, 62, and Shirley Thalassitis, 61, were too upset to comment at their semi detached home.
His mother’s sister Laura Goldsmid, 60, said that everyone was ‘in shock’ following the tragic news.
It was reported today that Thalassitis had been dealing with huge debts in the months leading up to his tragic death after overextending himself with a party lifestyle.
A source told The Mirror: ‘His party lifestyle came at a price and he wasn’t earning a lot of cash after Love Island, especially as he became his nan’s carer.’
Thalassitis had also been due to open a restaurant in Essex called The Skillet with former professional footballer Scott Neilson, according to filings at Companies House.
The reality TV star had been overseeing construction work to open his new business in a former bakery in the wealthy Essex town of Loughton.
Building work on the 1,613 square foot restaurant called The Skillet appeared to be at an advanced stage today.
A solitary bunch of flowers in memory of Thalassitis was seen on the doorstep of the business this morning.
Former co-stars and friends of Thalassitis have said that ‘enough is enough’ as they claim that they are left abandoned once they leave the reality show’s villa, having to deal with instant fame alone.
Brown paid tribute to Thalassitis on Instagram saying she wished she had done more, and revealing he had turned to self-help books in recent months.
She said: ‘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.
‘I got you to buy (self-help book) The Magic, you wrote down your gratitudes, you had the pictures of your family in your car to remind you to be grateful for them.
‘I just don’t know how I didn’t notice… I am absolutely heartbroken that I couldn’t help you’.
This is the reality TV star’s last Instagram post and fans posted their heartfelt tributes to Thalassitis after the news of his death broke
This morning, former Love Island contestant Montana Brown (pictured together) paid tribute to Thalassitis on Instagram saying she wished she had done more, and revealing he had turned to self-help books in recent months
Mike Thalassitis died aged just 26. He is pictured here as a child with his father. Mike’s parents Andreas Thalassitis, 62, and Shirley Thalassitis, 61, were too upset to comment
Brown also revealed details of their last phone call, in which Thalassitis congratulated her on a recent swimwear launch.
And added: ‘I’ve thought long and hard about what I want to say, I’ve woken up and unfortunately this wasn’t just a nightmare so this is to you Mr Thala.
‘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. This didn’t need to happen.
‘Secondly, it annoys me that you were so misunderstood. ‘Muggy Mike’ was your stage name and let’s face it, the ladies did fall at your feet BUT everyone had this impression of you and you were literally the opposite you were one of a kind.’
After learning of the news of his death, former Love Island co-star Dom Lever slammed Love Island for its lack of support once contestants leave the villa.
He said: ‘You get a psychological evaluation before and after you go on the show but hands down once you are done on the show you don’t get any support unless you’re number one.’ This followed a tweet where he expressed how shocked he was at the news.
Love Island presenter Caroline Flack posted a touching tribute to Mike which read: ‘Mike…you were a total gentleman…I won’t forget that…it’s so sad’
Sheridan Smith tweeted her condolences and said that the news of Thalassitis’s death should be a ‘wake-up call’
The former footballer enjoyed a seven-month relationship with Megan McKenna (pictured on a break away together in Tenerife) following his stint on Celebs Go Dating
The Only Way Is Essex star Mario Falcone shared his condolences on Instagram with a picture of the pair. He encouraged others to speak up about mental health struggles
Malin Andersson, who lost her daughter earlier this year also hit out at the show and said she ‘wouldn’t have been able to cope’ after the show if she didn’t have a ‘strong head on her’.
She said: ‘If I didn’t have a strong head on me that my mum passed down to me, I wouldn’t have been able to cope with this all. But not everyone is like this. PLEASE IF YOU FEEL ALONE, OR SAD, OR STUCK REACH OUT TO SOMEBODY!
‘Nothing when my mum died. Nothing when Sophie died. Change needs to happen.’ She also urged the show to ‘wake up!’ and said that enough was enough.
‘I got flowers from the producers when my daughter died. No f****** phone call. No support, or help.’
Other famous faces, such as Bafta award-winning actress Sheridan Smith said Thalassitis’ death should be a ‘wake up call’ and highlighted a need for change across the industry.
She said: ‘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’.
Thalassitis – who rose to fame on season three of Love Island – was also preparing to open a restaurant in Essex.
The former League One footballer, who comes from a Cypriot family, enjoyed a successful playing career before becoming a beloved reality TV star.
Olivia Attwood gazes at Mike Thalassitis during the third series of Love Island, with rumours flying about a potential romance between the pair
Comedian London Hughes, who starred on Celebs Go Dating alongside Mike, paid tribute to her co-star on Twitter
He made an immediate impact after entering the famous ITV Villa in 2017 – where he was affectionately nicknamed Muggy Mike for being an instant hit with the ladies – as a late replacement.
Thalassitis had previously spoken out about the criticism he had received during his stint on Celebs Go Dating and said: ‘It seems like people are out to get you a lot of the times people want to see you slip up constantly.’
Kady McDermott, who also appeared on the show, and has recently been in the press for arguing with former TOWIE cast member Maria Fowler and highlighted that shows such as Love Island don’t help the contestants after the show has ended.
She said: ‘Hopefully going forward reality shows will help more with the aftermath of being on one, because I can say it definitely didn’t happen after my series when lots of us needed it. Peoples lives change over night and no one can mentally be prepared for it. The good and the bad.’
Other reality TV stars stated that they felt more needed to be done by the producers of these shows in order to safeguard the mental health of contestants.
Lauryn Goodman said: ‘Before anymore TV auditions there needs to be compulsory mental health support put in place. Not just ‘we have support there if you need.’ TOO many are dying from reality shows. Time to wake up. Changes need to happen, how many more?’
Thalassitis had previously been in a seven-month relationship with The Only Way Is Essex star and country singer Megan McKenna, who is yet to make a statement about his death.
He last played football for Margate in 2017 before going on to appear on Channel 4’s Celebs Go Dating in 2018.
Tributes for the TV star have flooded in from other celebrities, including fellow Love Islander Olivia Buckland, who said Mike would be forever loved
During his stint on the show he joined fellow celebrities such as Made in Chelsea’s Sam Thompson and TOWIE’s Gemma Collins.
In the latest series of the show Megan McKenna has also made an appearance, looking for love after the pair finally broke off their on/off relationship earlier this year.
Love Island host Caroline Flack dubbed Thalassitis a ‘total gentleman’. She said: ‘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 lingering behind Mike in the picture which appears to be captured during the Love Island 2017 wrap party.
Previous Love Island star Chris Hughes also took to social media tonight to pay his respects.
He tweeted: ‘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.’
Fellow Love Island contestant Olivia Atwood posted on Instagram: ‘Literally don’t know what to say. Another one gone too young. Thinking of mike’s family and friends at the horrendous time. you will be missed terribly.’
Michael Thalassitis playing for Stevenage in August 2011 (left), during his fledgling football career that saw him play for the Cypriot youth teams. He is pictured (right) in his Bishop’s Stortford kit
Thalassitis gained notoriety on the hit ITV show for opting to pair with Atwood, despite the fact she was in a relationship with Chris Hughes.
Love Island star Chris Hughes tweeted his upset after learning of the death of his friend and former co-star
One Twitter user said that the former Love Island star had been ‘taken far too soon’ as she tweeted her respects to the celebrity
Another social media user urged people to be kind to others after learning of the death of Mike Thalassitis
One user highlighted the growing needs of mental health support in the UK and said that ‘so so much more’ needed to be done in order to protect mental health needs
His death comes as an inquest into the death of another former Love Island star Sophie Gradon was cancelled after her parents asked for more time to consider a report which was recently received.
The inquest, scheduled for next Thursday, was cancelled by Northumberland Coroner’s Court. The 32-year-old who featured on the show’s 2016 series, was found dead at her home in Ponteland, near Newcastle, on June 20 last year.
Her boyfriend, Aaron Armstrong, died 20 days later at his home in Blyth, Northumberland.
The inquest into her death was cancelled after her parents received ‘new information’.
Scheduled for next Thursday, it was cancelled by Northumberland Coroner’s Court.
A statement said: ‘Please note that it has been necessary to cancel the hearing date.
‘Sophie’s parents have requested further time to consider a report which was only recently received.’
Vicky Pattison tweeted her condolences and said that Mike had been a ‘beautiful soul’ and said her thoughts were with his family
Her mother, Anastacia Beverhousn, wrote on Twitter in February that the family are still waiting for access to her iPhone almost nine months after her death.
Thalassitis had dated Megan McKenna for seven months and confirmed their separation in August. She had previously highlighted that Mike wasn’t a ‘nasty person’ and had told OK Magazine that the pair were just ‘two different people’.
‘I can’t even say why we split. I just feel like we’re both at different point in our lives.
‘We both respect each other and we didn’t want it to get nasty or messy. There is only so much you can do in a relationship and when it’s not working you’ve got to take separate routes.’
She continued: ‘But I wish him all the luck in the world, he’s not a nasty person. Everything happens for a reason. It wasn’t one of those break-ups like ones I’ve had in the past where it was really bitter and nasty, this was more a decision we made together.
‘The way I dealt with things in the past with my exes was by screaming and that was not a good way to deal with it.’
Shocked fans of Thalassitis’s took to social media to pay tribute to the reality TV star as the news emerged. One fan tweeted: ‘RIP Muggy Mike’.
Another took to Thalassitis’ Instagram account to pay tribute, writing ‘Rest in peace’ below his most recent post.
Chelmsford City FC tweeted their condolences and said: ‘The Club are saddened to hear the news of the passing of former striker Mike Thalassitis. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends at this time.
Another TOWIE star, Mario Falcone, took to Instagram to share his condolences and posted a picture of the pair.
He said: Truly heartbroken by the news. He was always a complete gentleman. I know you had your struggles. A young man with so much life left to live. Please guys, if you are struggling, talk to someone…RIP brother.’
Comedian and fellow Celebs Go Dating star London Hughes said: ‘Rest in peace Mike, I’m in shock. My heart goes out to his family. The guy was the absolute coolest!!! I’m so confused, this is so sad’.
This is while Geordie Shore star 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.’
An ITV spokesman 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.’
They added: ‘Care for our Islanders is a process the show takes very seriously and is a continuous process for all those taking part in the show.
‘We ensure that all of our Contributors are able to access psychological support before, during and after appearing on the show. The programme will always provide ongoing support when needed and where appropriate.
‘We also discuss at length with all of our Islanders, before and after the show, how their lives might change and they have access to support and advice to help with this.’
Danielle Sellers, Mike Thalassitis and Chyna Ellis
Mike Thalassitis pictured with Jessica Shears, after they were both eliminated from the Love Island are villa at the same time during the series in 2017
Ex Tyla Carr leads heartbreaking tributes to ‘lovely’ and ‘kind’ star
Tributes have flooded in for late Love Island star Mike Thalassitis after he was found dead near his hometown on Saturday.
The reality star’s former co-stars took to social media to express their condolences after reports emerged that the 26-year-old had passed in a forest in his hometown in Essex.
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.
Former Love Island star Tyla Rosie Carr said: ‘I can’t believe the call I’ve just had. Mike, you were love by all the Love island family. You’ll be missed so much. All my love goes out to your friends and family. Shocked.’
Heartbreaking: Tributes have flooded in for late Love Island star Mike Thalassitis after he was found dead near his hometown on Saturday
Thalassitis was a former professional footballer who was even called up to the Cyprus national team, though he got injured and never ended up playing for them
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article then you can call the Samaritans on 116 123, alternatively you can visit the website at by clicking here.
Sophie Gradon inquest is CANCELLED: Coroner pauses probe into death of Love Island star who died at her home 20 days before boyfriend was found dead – after family receive fresh information
By Luke Andrews for MailOnline
A Love Island star’s inquest has been cancelled after her parents received a report.
Sophie Gradon, 32, who featured on the show’s 2016 series, was found dead at her home in Ponteland, near Newcastle, on June 20 last year.
Her boyfriend, Aaron Armstrong, died 20 days later at his home in Blyth, Northumberland.
Sophie Gradon, 32, who starred in the 2016 series of Love Island was found dead in her home near Newcastle, on June 20 last year. The inquest in her death, scheduled for this Thursday, has been cancelled
Her boyfriend, Aaron Armstrong, was found dead in his home 20 days later
The inquest, scheduled for next Thursday, was cancelled by Northumberland Coroner’s Court.
A statement said: ‘Please note that it has been necessary to cancel the hearing date.
‘Sophie’s parents have requested further time to consider a report which was only recently received.’
Her mother, Anastacia Beverhousn, wrote on Twitter in February that the family are still waiting for access to her iPhone almost nine months after her death.
‘As the heartbroken mother of Sophie Gradon we are still waiting for an inquest date eight months after her unexplained death. Why?
‘Because the Police cannot open her iPhone for data extraction.’
Her boyfriend Aaron’s inquest will go ahead on Tuesday after his body was found at his home in Blyth, Northumberland, five days after the star’s funeral.
Sophie’s funeral was held at St George’s Church, Jesmond. Posting from the day, her boyfriend said he loved her ‘with all my heart’
Releasing a statement following both deaths, Sophie Gradon’s parents said: ‘Sophie spent an idyllic childhood in Gosforth, Newcastle, and then moved at the age of 10 to Ponteland in Northumberland.’
Sharing pictures of Sophie at a garden party they said she ‘told us she had just met someone new and had been on a lunch date with him.
‘She was excited at the prospect of starting a new relationship and it was her fullest intention to introduce us to him when the time was right.
‘At the time of Sophie’s sudden and tragic passing, she had only been involved with Armstrong for five weeks.’
Sophie Gradon was also originally Miss Great Britain before going on Love Island
Aaron’s last Instagram post reads: ‘Just wish I could cuddle you all day. Miss you so much man Sophie. Not a minute goes by without your gorgeous smile being a picture in my mind.
‘Everyday we spent together was so amazing. I need them days back.’
Another post from the day of her funeral reads: ‘I love you with all my heart my beautiful angel.
‘I’m absolutely heartbroken. I can’t stop crying and I can feel your spirit in my soul. RIP Sophie Hannah Gradon.’
On a post from July 3 he wrote: ‘After a massive meltdown since yesterday I took Sophie for a drive and stuck her on a mountain as high as I could so you can have as much zen as you need baby girl.
‘The view is amazing. Hope you love it. I will come see you every day my angel. I love you smiler.’
Sophie Gradon, a fashion icon and model who shot to fame on Love Island, had previously been Miss Great Britain.