Love Island’s Mike Thalassitis found hanged in a park in North London, cops confirm
LOVE Island’s Mike Thalassitis was found hanged in a park on Saturday, police have confirmed.
The Metropolitan Police said they were not treating the 26-year-old man’s death as suspicious after he was found in Edmonton, North London.
The news of his death comes after it was revealed Mike was left grief-stricken over the death of his beloved grandmother and plagued with “huge debts”.
And Mike, who shot to fame on the 2017 series of the ITV2 dating show, had recently suffered a painful split from his Towie star ex-girlfriend Megan McKenna.
A source said: “It is absolutely tragic to have died at such a young age.
“Mike had so much to live for. He was about to launch a restaurant in Essex with a pal.”
The Sun’s Dan Wootton paid tribute to the reality star on Twitter, saying: “Devastated to hear of the passing of Mike Thalassitis.
“He was a good man and this is an atrocious waste of a young life.
“I spoke to Mike (who loved that I would still call him Muggy) on Thursday.
“He was grieving the loss of his nan. She was 94 and he had moved in to live with her because she needed a full-time carer. He assured me he was fine and was excited about the launch of his shop.”
He was a good man and this is an atrocious waste of a young life
Dan Wootton
He added: “There was so much in store for his future that this is truly senseless.
“Mike wasn’t the lad you saw on Love Island. He was tender and sensitive and vulnerable and desperate for true love. Rest in peace, mate. I will miss you.”
FOOTBALLER TURNED REALITY STAR
Mike achieved fame on the 2017 series of Love Island and was also a semi-pro footballer.
Born in Edmonton, the Cypriot played for teams including Ebbsfleet United, St Albans, Chelmsford, Welling United, Stevenage and Margate.
Describing himself as “tall, dark and handsome”, Mike vowed not to be a “villain” on the ITV2 show Love Island when he entered in week two.
But he earned the nickname “Muggy Mike” from islander Chris Hughes after stealing the heart of Olivia Attwood.
The reality star was due to open his own restaurant, with reports suggesting the unveiling would be next week.
Mike was also reported to be shell-shocked by the death of a close friend on Christmas Eve.
ISLANDER TRIBUTES
Love Island host Caroline Flack led tributes overtonight.
She shared a snap of them together on Instagram and said: “Mike… you were a total gentleman… I won’t forget that … it’s so sad …you will be missed. RIP.”
Chris Hughes was among the first to pay tribute to his former love rival, tweeting: “Every inch of my heart goes out to his family & friends. A good guy, taken far, far too soon.”
Ex-girlfriend Tyla Carr, who met Mike on Love Island, said she was “shocked” by the news.
Tyla tweeted: “I can’t believe the call I’ve just had. Mike, you were loved by all of the Love island family. You’ll be missed so much. All my love goes out to your friends and family. Shocked.”
Fellow Love Islander Dom Lever wrote: “I’m shocked at the news!! me and Mike Thalassitis may not have seen eye to eye but he was a top guy.”
And Kem Cetinay said: “Such heartbreaking news. My thoughts go out to all of Mikes friends and family.”
‘ENOUGH IS ENOUGH’
Love Island contestants have slammed the show in the wake of Mike’s death.
A string of former Islanders have rounded on the ITV2 hit for not helping them, with Mike’s co-star Dom Lever insisting: “Once you are done on the show you don’t get any support.”
Dom tweeted: “You get a psychological evaluation before and after you go on the show but hands down once you are done on the show you don’t get any support unless you’re number one.”
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Mike’s former club Ebbsfleet have also paid tribute to the striker – who scored 11 goals in 46 appearances for the National League side.
The club wrote: “All of us at Ebbsfleet United FC are shocked and saddened to hear of the death of our former striker Michael Thalassitis. RIP Michael – and our heartfelt condolences to all his family and friends.”
The reality star’s family are yet to release an official statement.
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