Celebs mourn Love Island star Mike

17 March 2019, 11:35 | Updated: 21 March 2019, 08:43

Love Island presenter Caroline Flack and actress Sheridan Smith lead the tributes to reality star Mike Thalassitis after his shock death yesterday.

The 26-year-old, who starred in the 2017 series of the show, was found dead in woodland in North London.

The Metropolitan police have now confirmed Mike was found hanged in a park in Edmonton.

READ MORE: Love Island criticised after contestant's death at 26

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A post shared by Mike Thalassitis (@mike_thala) on Mar 5, 2019 at 10:59am PST

It's believed he was struggling to cope with the recent death of his grandmother. His close friend Danny Cutts also passed away in December.

Bafta award-winning actress Sheridan Smith also reacted to the shock news on social media, urging people to reach out to even their most confident friends.

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Mike... you were a total gentleman... I won’t forget that ... it’s so so sad ...you will be missed. RIP. ❤️

A post shared by Caroline (@carolineflack) on Mar 16, 2019 at 12:49pm PDT

Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison also called the former footballer a 'beautiful soul'.

Mike's 2017 Love Island co-star and good friend Montana Brown has written a lengthy tribute on Instagram, admitting she is 'crushed' and 'heartbroken' by his sudden death.

She revealed she knew he was in a dark place a few months ago but thought he was now back on track.

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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. Mike, you were so thoughtful, caring and loyal to me and all your friends, you know some of my darkest secrets and I know yours. I could always rely on you to tell me when I’m being a nut job to Elliott and tell me to get off his case 😂 and I always told you to stop partying too much and getting too pissed😂🙈 I just wish people had a tiny glimpse of what the real you was like. You sent me a Christmas card in the post this year, you checked up on me everyday at the beginning of this year when I was struggling myself, you really were the kindest, sweetest person and I am so devastated and crushed that I’ll never get to see you again. 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 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 heart broken that I couldn’t help you. Your phone call a few days ago to tell me that I’m smashing the swimwear, you’re proud of me and that you’re grateful for my friendship is the only thing that’s keeping me going right now. At least you knew how much you meant to me. I will help open your cafe with Scott because you worked so hard on it so don’t you worry! I can’t imagine how much pain you must have been in to do this, and the fact that you went through this on your own breaks my heart. I’m so so sorry I couldn’t do more to help you. I have so much love for you Mike and I will never forget you. Sleep tight darling and I miss you so much already 💙

A post shared by M O N T A N A B R O W N (@montanarosebrown1) on Mar 17, 2019 at 2:25am PDT

Montana wrote: "Mike, you were so thoughtful, caring and loyal to me and all your friends, you know some of my darkest secrets and I know yours.

"I could always rely on you to tell me when I'm being a nut job to Elliott and tell me to get off his case and I always told you to stop partying too much and getting too p***ed.

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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 ❤️

A post shared by Mario Falcone (@mariofalcone) on Mar 16, 2019 at 12:10pm PDT

"I just wish people had a tiny glimpse of what the real you was like,' wrote Montana, before giving her followers an insight into his kind and caring character, and revealing that recently he had been in a 'dark place'.

She continued: "You sent me a Christmas card in the post this year, you checked up on me everyday at the beginning of this year when I was struggling myself, you really were the kindest, sweetest person and I am so devastated and crushed that I'll never get to see you again.

"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."

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True gent. Never forgotten. Forever loved. I’m so sorry. Words fail me. ❤️

A post shared by Mrs Olivia Bowen / Buckland (@oliviadbuck) on Mar 16, 2019 at 12:39pm PDT

A string of other former Love Island stars also paid tribute to Mike and slammed the show for not offering enough support to contestants when the show ends.

They believe they are suddenly thrust into the limelight and not prepared.

Malin Andersson, who is also mourning the death of her newborn baby, said the show sent her flowers after her loss but no personal phone call.

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💔🙏 we may not have seen eye to eye but you were a top man Rest In Paradise

A post shared by Dominic Lever (@domlever) on Mar 16, 2019 at 12:04pm PDT

Before appearing on the third series of Love Island Mike had a successful career as a League Two footballer.

He had recently split with his fellow reality star girlfriend of seven months Megan McKenna who he met on TV show Celebs Go Dating and was working on the opening of a restaurant in Essex.

Fans have rushed online to express their shock at the news, with many saying the show should be cancelled.

Last year another former contestant, Sophie Gradon, was tragically found dead at her Gateshead home in a suspected suicide.

Her mother today paid tribute to Mike after the news emerged this morning that Mike had tragically taken his own life.