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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Lucy Needham

Sophie Gradon's Love Island friends pay tribute on first anniversary of her death

Tributes have been paid to former Love Island contestant Sophie Gradon a year after she took her own life.

After finding fame on the 2016 edition of the show, Sophie hanged herself at her family home in Medburn, Ponteland on 20 June after taking cocaine and alcohol.

The 32-year-old was found by her boyfriend Aaron Armstrong, 25, who took his own life 20 days later.

On the first anniversary of Sophie's death many of her Love Island co-stars have taken to social media to show their support.

Love Island star Sophie Gradon took her own life in 2018 (ITV)

Sophie's friend from the villa Zara Holland wrote on Twitter : "You're always in my thoughts gorgeous girl, Sophie. I can't believe it's been a year since you went to heaven. We all love you and miss you so much. RIP baby girl."

Zara had appeared in an interview with Sophie in March last year where they discussed how online trolls could push someone to take their own life.

The chat with Radio Aire , heartbreakingly became Sophie's final interview.

Zara said she missed Sophie so much as she shared pictures of them in happier times (Twitter)

Fellow castmember Malin Andersson also tweeted in memory of Sophie on Thursday.

"RIP to the most beautiful soul and friend Sophie Gradon... miss you so much. Please all look up after each other up there."

Malin and Sophie had become friends after meeting on the second series of the rebooted Love Island in 2016.

Malin Andersson also had Sophie in her thoughts (Twitter)
The official Love Island Instagram page paid tribute (Twitter)

Many other fans of the show also took to social media to share their memories of Sophie, while the official Love Island Instagram page also spoke out.

"In loving memory of Sophie Gradon (1985-2018), missed but never forgotten."

Bosses of the ITV2 dating series, which is now in its fifth season, vowed to enhance the aftercare given to its contestants following the deaths of Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis in the past year.

Love Island 2017 star Mike Thalassitis took his own life in March 2019 (ITV)

Mike, 26, had been a contestant on the 2017 series and tragically took his own life in March while suffering from depression.

Ahead of the current series, it was revealed that the stars of Love Island 2019 will receive a comprehensive aftercare package to help them cope with fame after they get out of the villa.

As part of the changes, castmembers will get eight counselling sessions and 14 months of contact with the Love Island crew.

They will also get training sessions to help them deal with fame, including lessons on social media and how to manage their money.

Creative Director ITV Studios Entertainment Richard Cowles said: "Due to the success of the show our Islanders can find themselves in the public eye following their appearance.

"We really want to make sure they have given real consideration to this and what appearing on TV entails...

"We are outlining today our welfare processes follow three key stages: pre-filming, filming and aftercare and we are increasing our post filming support to help Islanders following their time in villa."

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