‘Love Island’ host Caroline Flack has led the tributes to Sophie Gradon, who has tragically died at the age of just 32.
The late reality TV star – who appeared as a contestant on the ITV2 show in 2016 – was found dead in her Newcastle home yesterday (20.06.18), and the presenter has paid her respects to a "beautiful soul".
Taking to social media, she tweeted: "So very sad . Such a beautiful soul …. such a beautiful smile …thoughts and love with friends and family."
She was joined in the outpouring of emotion by Katie Salmon, who
was briefly paired with Sophie during her time in the villa – and the late star’s ex took the opportunity to comment on the importance of raising an awareness of mental health.
Katie wrote: "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.
"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"
Katie’s comments came after her friends claimed Sophie had been dealing with her mental health in secret for some time.
A source told The Sun Online: "She had been privately struggling with depression but close friends thought she was in a great place as she was madly in love with her boyfriend and life was good. However her good friend Paul Burns died and it affected her very badly. She struggled to cope with it and fell into a dark place."
Meanwhile, Sophie former ‘Love Island’ co-star and fellow Miss GB Zara Holland also joined those paying their respects today.
She tweeted: "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"
Caroline Flack remembers ‘beautiful’ Sophie Gradon
