Montana Brown has broken her silence on the passing of her friend Mike Thalassitis, a day after it was confirmed the Love Island star, 26, passed away over the weekend.
The reality star’s body was found in woodland, and since then tributes have begun pouring in from his co-stars and friends in the industry.
Montana has admitted she has been left floored by Mike’s death, urging everyone to take mental health more seriously after admitting she knew he was in a dark place but thought he’d come out the other side.
The reality star and presenter addressed the note to her friend, saying she ‘thought long and hard’ about what to say.
‘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,’ she said, alongside a series of photos of the two of them.’
She then echoed the sentiments of Love Island co-star Chris Hughes, who urged everyone to not call Mike ‘Muggy’ – the nickname that was coined during his time on the ITV2 show.
‘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,’ Montana, 23, 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 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.’
She added how she’d been helping him try and get out of his ‘dark place.’
‘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,’ she continued. ‘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.’
The two spoke a few days ago, according to Montana, where Mike told her he was proud of her for ‘smashing’ the swimwear.
She added: ‘…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 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,’ she concluded her emotional message. ‘I have so much love for you Mike and I will never forget you. Sleep tight darling and I miss you so much already.’
She later added on Twitter: ‘Mental illness is a serious disease. I’m cooped up in my bed, just trying to fathom why Mike did this? Why he didn’t say something.
‘Why he thought this was his only way out. I really am so confused. I feel so sad, I’m so sorry darling I didn’t do more. Miss you so much.’
MORE: Love Island release statement after Mike Thalassitis found dead aged 26
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