Love Island have released a statement following the death of 2017 star Mike Thalassitis.
News broke on Saturday that the reality personality had been found dead aged 26 in a forest near his Essex home, with the cause still unknown.
As tributes from his co-stars, friends and fans have been pouring in, the ITV show have broken their silence on Mike’s tragic passing, saying: ‘Everyone at ITV2 and Love Island are shocked and saddened by this terrible news,’ the show said.
‘Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Mike’s family and friends at this very sad time.’
Mike found fame starring in the second season of the ITV2 reality show, alongside the likes of Amber Davies and Kem Cetinay.
Fellow islander Chris Hughes has urged people to ditch Mike’s Love Island nickname ‘Muggy Mike’ in the wake of his death, tweeting: ‘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.’
According to reports, Mike died just days after the death of his nan, who he had moved in with to become her full-time carer.
Actress Sheridan Smith has branded the devastating news a ‘massive wake-up call’ on Twitter and has demanded change, telling her followers: ‘I feel sick, reach out, sometimes to the most confident friend. We can only learn and try to change.’
MORE: Love Island’s Mike Thalassitis died ‘days after death of his nan’
