Love Island’s Sophie Gradon dies at 32: Caroline Flack leads tributes

Tributes flooded in for late Love Island star Sophie Gradon after her devastating death was announced on Thursday.

The reality favourite was found dead at her home on Wednesday evening shortly before her co-stars, fans and fellow celebrities took to social media to share gushing tributes following her untimely death. 

Leading the tributes to the star, who featured in the 2016 series of the ITV2 show, was Love Island host Caroline Flack who branded Sophie ‘a beautiful soul’, while her ex Katie Salmon shared a heartbreaking message alongside co-star Olivia Buckland.

Terrible: Tributes flooded in for late Love Island star Sophie Gradon (left) after her devastating death was announced on Thursday (pictured with ex Katie Salmon on the show in 2016)

News surfaced on Thursday that Sophie had been found dead at her home just hours before, shortly before the tributes poured in for the much-loved star. 

A spokesperson from Northumbria Police told MailOnline: ‘At about 8.27pm yesterday police attended a property in Medburn, Ponteland, where sadly a 32-year-old woman was found deceased.

‘There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding her death. A report will now be prepared for the coroner.’

Leading the way was Love Island host Caroline, who shared an emotional message on the microblogging site reading: ‘So very sad . Such a beautiful soul …. such a beautiful smile …thoughts and love with friends and family’.

Awful: The reality favourite was found dead at her home on Wednesday evening shortly before her co-stars, fans and fellow celebrities took to social media to share gushing tributes following her untimely death 

Awful: The reality favourite was found dead at her home on Wednesday evening shortly before her co-stars, fans and fellow celebrities took to social media to share gushing tributes following her untimely death 

Tough: Leading the saddening tributes to the star, who featured in the 2016 series of the ITV2 show, was Love Island host Caroline Flack who branded Sophie 'a beautiful soul'

Tough: Leading the saddening tributes to the star, who featured in the 2016 series of the ITV2 show, was Love Island host Caroline Flack who branded Sophie ‘a beautiful soul’

Devastated: Caroline shared the heartfelt message after news surfaced on Thursday 

Devastated: Caroline shared the heartfelt message after news surfaced on Thursday 

Beauty queen: Sophie was crowned Miss Newcastle in 2008 and Miss Great Britain in 2010

Beauty queen: Sophie was crowned Miss Newcastle in 2008 and Miss Great Britain in 2010

Sophie’s ex Katie, who she was briefly coupled up with throughout her stint in the villa, shared a lengthy message with her fans in which she referenced the pressures of social media and the importance of mental health awareness.  

Releasing a statement to her followers, Katie penned: ‘Isn’t it crazy how someone so stunning, so smiley and appeared so happy can feel no way out.

‘The world we live in behind social media. I urge everyone to be kind to every person they meet and speak with social media and in person a simple smile a simple nice comment can really make a difference, you really don’t know the battles they go through every single day.

Heartbroken: Katie shared a lengthy message with her fans in which she referenced the pressures of social media and the importance of mental health awareness

Heartbroken: Katie shared a lengthy message with her fans in which she referenced the pressures of social media and the importance of mental health awareness

Hard times: Following this, she OK! Online, Katie said: 'I'm heartbroken and am dissapointed in the support system, we still have much to do for mental health.She was a beautiful smiley loving girl and il never forget her

Hard times: Following this, she OK! Online, Katie said: ‘I’m heartbroken and am dissapointed in the support system, we still have much to do for mental health.She was a beautiful smiley loving girl and il never forget her

Way back when: There has been an outpouring of grief in the wake of the news the star had been found dead

Way back when: There has been an outpouring of grief in the wake of the news the star had been found dead

‘The world has failed you beautiful. I’m heartbroken for you soph to have felt this pain. I wish there was more help out there. Your smile will be remembered forever. My thoughts are with your family friends and love ones at this horrendous time.

‘To young, to sweet. To kind. Am sending all my love I truly am to everyone who had the pleasure of ever being in her company! X’

Following this, she OK! Online, Katie said: ‘I’m heartbroken and am disappointed in the support system, we still have much to do for mental health. She was a beautiful smiley loving girl and I’ll never forget her.’

Happier times: Co-star and pal Olivia Buckland took to Instagram and Twitter to share emotional tributes to the model and TV staer 

Happier times: Co-star and pal Olivia Buckland took to Instagram and Twitter to share emotional tributes to the model and TV staer 

Heartbroken: Olivia was sharing her grief on social media as she revealed she had woken up to the news and apologised to Sophie for the world 'failing her'

Heartbroken: Olivia was sharing her grief on social media as she revealed she had woken up to the news and apologised to Sophie for the world ‘failing her’

Heartbreaking: Her heartbroken boyfriend Aaron Armstrong, who Sophie branded 'The One' on social media just hours before her death, penned: 'I will never forget that smile I love you so so much baby your my world forever'

Heartbreaking: Her heartbroken boyfriend Aaron Armstrong, who Sophie branded ‘The One’ on social media just hours before her death, penned: ‘I will never forget that smile I love you so so much baby your my world forever’

Just days before... Sophie posted a loving tribute to her boyfriend just four days ago when she penned: 'I miss him... he's only been gone a whole four hours'

Just days before… Sophie posted a loving tribute to her boyfriend just four days ago when she penned: ‘I miss him… he’s only been gone a whole four hours’

Her heartbroken boyfriend Aaron Armstrong, who Sophie branded ‘The One’ on social media just hours before her death, penned: ‘I will never forget that smile I love you so so much baby your my world forever’. 

Co-star and fellow Miss GB Zara Holland wrote: I’m heartbroken, I’m in shock. My gorgeous girl, why. You will be truly missed, I will think about you every single day.

‘The nicest, kindest, caring, hard working girl I have ever met. Sending all my love to your family. I love you x @sophiegradon’.

Good pals: Her co-star and fellow beauty queen Zara Holland posted an emotional tribute to the 'nicest, kindest, caring and hard working girl'

Good pals: Her co-star and fellow beauty queen Zara Holland posted an emotional tribute to the ‘nicest, kindest, caring and hard working girl’

Alex Bowen followed his fiancee Olivia Buckland’s lead, as he wrote: We had lots of little chats and so many laughs you were the the shoulder to cry on and a beautiful person with a beautiful soul. Shine bright in that sky Sophie gradon’ 

Malin Andersson wrote: ‘RIP @sophiegradon THIS WORLD IS CRUEL. I can’t believe what I’ve just read. You beautiful angel. I have no words. I’m in so much pain. A beautiful friend and person. It hasn’t sunk in.’

Charlotte Dawson wrote: So shocked and awful news @sophiegradon what a beautiful young girl… my heart goes out to all her family and loved ones. X’

Geordie Shore star Nathan Henry wrote: ‘@sophiegradon rest in peace you beautiful little angel, the heavens are blessed with a beautiful smile R.I.P xxx’

Last year’s Love Island winner Amber Davies appeared devastated as she said: ‘I am in absolutely in shock! @sophiegradon what a beautiful woman you were. RIP’

'Beautiful girl': Sophie won the hearts of many throughout her stint on TV 

‘Beautiful girl’: Sophie won the hearts of many throughout her stint on TV 

Touching: Calum Best gushed: Jesus how sad what a good woman and friend I’m so sorry for this loss ! My thoughts and prayers are with her family . So damn sad @sophiegradon RIP'

Touching: Calum Best gushed: Jesus how sad what a good woman and friend I’m so sorry for this loss ! My thoughts and prayers are with her family . So damn sad @sophiegradon RIP’

Calum Best gushed: Jesus how sad what a good woman and friend I’m so sorry for this loss ! My thoughts and prayers are with her family . So damn sad @sophiegradon RIP’

Another Geordie star Abbie Holborn wrote : ‘It just shows someone can look the happiest person, but you never know what goes on behind closed doors. So beautiful, r.i.p @sophiegradon’

Following her 2009 stint as Miss Great Britain, the official Twitter account for the organisation sent out a message stating: ‘Shocked beyond belief!!! RIP @sophiegradon sending all our love to Sophie’s family at this incredibly sad time xx’

For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, or see samaritans.org for details.  

 



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