Montana Brown couldn’t hide her pride as she popped in to late pal Mike Thalassitis’ restaurant, Skillet, ahead of its launch weekend.
The Love Island star died by suicide last month, aged 26, with his body found in woods near his Edmonton home.
And his former co-star paid a visit to the eatery he was set to open with business partner Scott Neils, before the official launch.
The 23-year-old was beaming as she made her way into the Essex restaurant to inspect finishing touches.
She opted for a cropped white jacket and beige trousers for the day, finishing her look off with white trainers and a blue beanie hat.
Montana was joined by fellow Love Islander Scott Thomas to take a quick tour.
It was recently announced The Skillet would be officially opened on 27 April, six weeks after Mike’s death.
And a post on the restaurant’s Instagram page revealed drink proceeds from the weekend would be donated to mental health charity CALM, in tribute to the star.
‘On Saturday 27th April, The Skillet will be opening its doors to welcome the public from 8am-5pm, in honour of Mike Thalassitis,’ the message read.
‘The modern brunch eatery will specialise in skillet breakfasts, from the traditional Full English to Classic American Buttermilk Pancakes and Mike’s very own favourite, Poutine Breakfast.
‘In special tribute to Mike, all drink proceeds over launch weekend will be donated to the mental health charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) to build awareness of depression in young men and develop practical resources to support those suffering.
‘Mike worked extremely hard on this launch. He was passionate about cooking and it was his dream to one day open a restaurant. Together, we have created a first-rate breakfast bar we hope you will enjoy and we invite you all to come down and celebrate his love of good food. Look forward to seeing you all there.’
The Love Island star took his own life aged 26 on 16 March, with his body found in a North London park.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed at the time: ‘Police were called to a park near Latymer Way, N9 at 09:28hrs on Saturday, 16 March to reports of a man found hanged.
‘Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended and found a man, aged in his 20s, deceased.’
He was laid to rest on 5 April, with his family and close friends pictured arriving at Christ Church, in Southgate, to pay their respects.
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