Tributes have been pouring in following the tragic death of Love Island’s Mike Thalassitis.
News broke earlier today that the reality star had been found dead in woodland near his Essex home yesterday (March 15), at the age of 26.
Mike achieved fame in the 2017 series of Love Island, hoping to find love alongside his fellow contestants in the villa.
PAShortly after the news broke, beautiful tributes started to pour in on social media for the reality star, remembering him as a ‘good guy’ and someone who was fun to work with.
Fellow stars of Love Island took to Twitter to give their condolences to the 26-year-old and his family, expressing their shock at his death.
Chris Hughes, who appeared on Love Island in the same year as Mike, wrote:
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.
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.
— Chris Hughes (@chrishughes_22) March 16, 2019
Olivia Bowen Buckland, who found love on the 2016 series of the show, re-tweeted Chris’s tweet, before agreeing with his sentiment.
The 25-year-old wrote:
His name is Mike Thalassitis. All the articles how dare you not use his real name. This is horrendous. I’m in shock. Mike you are going to be sorely sorely missed. My heart is with your family. I’m in complete shock
His name is Mike Thalassitis. All the articles how dare you not use his real name. This is horrendous. I’m in shock. Mike you are going to be sorely sorely missed. My heart is with your family. I’m in complete shock
— Olivia Bowen Buckland (@OliviaDBuck) March 16, 2019
Tyla Carr, who was partnered up with Mike in the villa, took to Twitter to say how loved the 26-year-old was.
She wrote:
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.
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.
— Tyla Rosie Carr (@TylaRosieCarr) March 16, 2019
The Sun’s Executive Editor, Dan Wootton, wrote that he spoke to Mike only on Thursday, alluding to the fact the reality star was grieving the loss of his nan.
Wootton also seemed to defend the publication’s use of the term ‘Muggy Mike’ when reporting upon his death.
The editor wrote:
Devastated to hear of the passing of Mike Thalassitis. He was a good man and this is an atrocious waste of a young life. I spoke to Mike (who loved that I would still call him Muggy) on Thursday. He was grieving the loss of his nan
Devastated to hear of the passing of Mike Thalassitis. He was a good man and this is an atrocious waste of a young life. I spoke to Mike (who loved that I would still call him Muggy) on Thursday. He was grieving the loss of his nan pic.twitter.com/SAoboDQl3D
— Dan Wootton (@danwootton) March 16, 2019
Born in Edmonton, Mike was also a semi-pro footballer, playing for a range of teams including St Albans and Chelmsford City FC.
His former club paid tribute to Mike on their Twitter account, writing:
The Club are saddened to hear the news of the passing of former #Clarets striker Mike Thalassitis. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends at this time. #ClaretTogether
The Club are saddened to hear the news of the passing of former #Clarets striker Mike Thalassitis. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends at this time. #ClaretTogether
— Chelmsford City FC (@OfficialClarets) March 16, 2019
Mike is the second Love Island star to die unexpectedly, following the tragic death of Sophie Gradon last year.
His cause of death is not yet known.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.
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