«Breaking News» Mike Thalassitis' grieving friends hold a vigil in the woodland where his body was found hanged

Mike Thalassitis' grieving friends have paid tribute to the late Love Island star by holding an emotional vigil on Friday in the woodland where his body was found hanged on Saturday. 

The reality star, who was aged 26, was discovered dead near his Edmonton home almost a week ago, with both his manager and the Metropolitan Police since confirming the news.   

And Mike's devastated loved ones have held a vigil for the late Love Island contestant in the woodland where his body was found hanged.   

Heartbreaking: Mike Thalassitis' grieving friends have paid tribute to the late Love Island star by holding an emotional vigil in the woodland where his body was found hanged on Saturday (pictured on the show in 2017) 

In pictures and videos posted to social media by a pal called Michelle, it saw the late reality star's grieving friends cover a tree trunk in sentimental pictures, flowers and candles.

While different uploads saw his heartbroken loved ones light and set loose several floating lanterns into the sky. 

Other social media posts saw Mike's friends write heartfelt letters accompanied with throwback pictures of the two together over the years.

While several large bags full of silver balloons could be spotted on another picture of the vigil, which will no doubt be released into the air later on Friday. 

Tribute: The reality star, who was aged 26, was discovered dead near his Edmonton home almost a week ago, with both his manager and the Metropolitan Police since confirming the news

Vigil: And Mike's devastated loved ones have held a vigil for the late Love Island in the woodland where his body was found hanged

Accompanying the posts, his friend Michelle captioned them with: 'Goodnight @MikeThalassitis Catch those lanterns in the Sky,' followed by a series of emotional emojis.

The friend also shared that Mike's loved ones had been gathering in the woodland throughout the week, leaving flowers and paying their respect. 

Just days before his death, Mike's grandmother on his father's side was aged 94 when she tragically passed away, the reality star had moved in with her to become her full-time carer. 

Mike enjoyed a successful playing career before appearing on season three of the revamped dating show Love Island in 2017.

Heartbreaking: Other social media posts saw Mike's friends write heartfelt letters accompanied with throwback pictures of the two together over the years

Tragic day: While several large bags full of silver balloons could be spotted on another picture of the vigil, which will no doubt be released into the air later on Friday

'Goodnight': Accompanying the posts, Michelle captioned them with: 'Goodnight @MikeThalassitis Catch those lantens in the Sky,' followed by a series of emotional emojis

He rose to fame for his exploits in the villa and went on to search for love again in E4's Celebs Go Dating, months before his ex-girlfriend Megan McKenna appeared on the same show.

Speaking to MailOnline on Monday, Mike's grandmother Rose Leitlands said the star's death is 'like a nightmare'. 

Speaking at her home in Poole, Dorset, his 89-year-old nan, admitted: 'I just can't believe it.  

'There was no reason for it and I keep thinking I'm going to wake up. I have nothing else to say'.    

Final: Mike's brother Nick shared the final photograph of the ITV2 star, speaking to MailOnline on Monday, Mike's grandmother Rose Leitlands said the star's death is 'like a nightmare'

Heartbroken: Mike’s parents Andreas Thalassitis, 62, and Shirley Thalassitis, 61, were too upset to comment on Sunday at their semi detached home (pictured in 2018)

Mike’s parents Andreas Thalassitis, 62, and Shirley Thalassitis, 61, were too upset to comment on Sunday at their semi detached home.

While his mother’s sister Laura Goldsmid, 60, said that everyone was 'in shock' following the tragic news.

Since the late reality star's death his former Love Island co-stars and other celebrity friends have shared several heartbreaking tributes sharing their grief.

On Monday, Mike's devastated ex-girlfriend Megan released a statement on Twitter to offer condolences to his family, two days after Mike's death.

Devastated ex: On Monday, Mike's devastated ex-girlfriend Megan released a statement on Twitter to offer condolences to his family, two days after Mike's death

She wrote: 'Sorry I haven't been on social media but I'm in complete shock and trying to come to terms with this.

'I can't believe I'm even writing this post. My thoughts and prayers are with Mike's family. Rest in peace Mike x' 

Mike and Megan dated on and off throughout 2018, but ended their relationship for good last August.

Megan previously defended the reality star, insisting that he was not a 'nasty' person and there was no other explanation for their break-up than being at 'different points in their lives.'

In shock: Mike and Megan dated on and off throughout 2018, but ended their relationship for good last August

Upset: Just weeks before his passing this weekend, Megan became emotional when speaking about her relationship with Mike, while looking for love on Celebs Go Dating 

Just weeks before his passing this weekend, Megan became emotional when speaking about her relationship with Mike, while looking for love on Celebs Go Dating.  

Meanwhile, Mike's sobbing Love Island co-star Montana Brown broke down in tears on Monday's This Morning as she remembered Mike.  

Speaking on the ITV morning stalwart, the reality star admitted that the former footballer was going through a 'really rough time' due to a 'lack of work and a big tax bill'.   

The London native, 23, said that Mike, who appeared on the 2017 instalment of the ITV2 reality series, was going to a therapist before his untimely death but claimed that he wasn't getting what he wanted out of the sessions.

Emotional: Meanwhile, Mike's sobbing Love Island co-star Montana Brown broke down in tears on Monday's This Morning as she remembered Mike

Montana added that the Thalassitis family gave her their blessing to speak about Mike on TV, and admitted his relatives have been left 'shocked' by his passing.

She said: 'I spoke to Mike dad's yesterday because I wanted to respect their wishes in coming here and speaking. They're as shocked as I am because I think they feel the same.'  

She told presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield: 'He had a big tax bill to pay, and he thought this celebrity life isn't what it’s cracked up to be. [But] he had this cafe that he was going to open, and it was like why now.'

'And then I gave him the "The Magic", which is obviously a spiritual book. I was kind of at my wits end. And I thought, "Something really terrible is going to happen if I don't do something." '  

Tribute: Speaking on the ITV morning stalwart, the reality star admitted that the former footballer was going through a 'really rough time' due to a 'lack of work and a big tax bill' (pictured together on Love Island in 2017) 

Teary: Montana added that the Thalassitis family gave her their blessing to speak about Mike on TV, and admitted his relatives have been left 'shocked' by his passing

Discussing his tragic death, Montana broke down as she admitted was 'kicking' herself for not replying to the reality star's last message before his untimely death.

She said through tears: '[I last heard from him] Two days before. I'm actually kicking myself. He text me, and I didn't actually reply just because I'm really bad on my phone.

'And I think you just overthink everything, like what you do. I just wish I had replied. He just said, "How's it going, how are you?" And I didn't reply.' 

Big steps: Since Mike's death, Love Island bosses have now confirmed that they have been working on overhauling their reality show aftercare policy after former star Sophie Gradon was also found dead, aged 32, in June last year (pictured on Love Island in 2016) 

Since Mike's death, Love Island bosses have now confirmed that they have been working on overhauling their reality show aftercare policy after former star Sophie Gradon was also found dead, aged 32, in June last year. 

In a lengthy statement released on Tuesday, just days after Mike's death, producers confirmed they would change policies to ensure that all Islanders are offered support before, during and after their time on the show, as well as social media and finance management training.

In the message it also revealed that they would be changing the outlying policy towards mental care of all contestants, after many former stars hit out at producers for the lack of aftercare.

If you have been affected by this story, call The Samaritans at any time, from any phone for FREE, on 116 123. 

LOVE ISLAND STATEMENT IN FULL 

Everyone at Love Island is so shocked and absolutely devastated with the tragic news of Mike Thalassitis.

The Mike we knew was a remarkable and charismatic young man who made a huge impression both on the Love Island team and on viewers of the show. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his family and friends at this difficult time.

When something so awful happens it is natural to enter a period of soul searching and ask whether anything could have been done to help avoid something so terrible happening. It is not for us to speculate on the reasons behind this tragedy and what is so heartbreaking is that we simply cannot know.

Our show put Mike in the spotlight with all the ups and downs that brings. Mike’s TV career took off with Love Island and he went on to take part in other reality shows as his career grew.

Since the terrible news there have been a lot of people questioning Love Island’s processes and aftercare. Many of the things that have been said about them bear no relation to the support we offer. We want to outline our care processes.

As the show has grown ever more popular and our Islanders get increased attention in an ever changing landscape, each series we evolve the support we give them.

Our duty of care is a continuous and ongoing process for each Islander. This follows three key stages; pre-filming, filming, and aftercare. We work with both an independent GP and a psychological consultant to provide an assessment of the physical and mental health of each of the shortlisted cast members and their suitability for inclusion on the programme.

The medical team also contacts each Islander’s GP to check they feel that person is able to take part. We ask for full disclosure from potential cast members to these health professionals so that so that we can support them appropriately. As TV producers, we rely on medical experts to assess both mental and physical health to ensure that each candidate is suitable for inclusion.

Care continues whilst the Islanders are in the villa. We have a medical team on location which includes a psychological consultant. They not only look after Islanders’ healthcare needs, but also monitor them to check that there are no emerging signs of any problems developing whilst they are in the villa. Additionally, several of our senior team, who monitor the cast around the clock, have been trained in mental health first aid.

When the time comes for each Islander to leave the show, our aftercare process kicks in. Every Islander has a series of debrief meetings on location with the executive team and the medical team, including the psychological consultant. After this, they are told how to access after care support as well as information on seeking professional representation. They also meet with the press team the day after leaving the villa and are briefed and advised on their press coverage whilst in the villa.

We have had requests for help from former Islanders, and have provided this.

We have always recognised that this should be an evolving process and six months ago we engaged Dr Paul Litchfield, an experienced physician and a Chief Medical Officer, to independently review our medical processes on Love Island. He has extensive experience of working with large companies and Government in the area of mental health.

This review has led us to extend our support processes to offer therapy to all Islanders and not only those that reach out to us. And we will be delivering bespoke training to all future Islanders to include social media and financial management.

The key focus will be for us to no longer be reliant on the islanders asking us for support but for us to proactively check in with them on a regular basis.

Having said all of this about Love Island we must not lose sight of the wider issue which is the importance of the conversation on mental health. Across ITV we have worked with a number of charities including CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) on Project 84 and with Samaritans and CALM on Coronation Street, tackling the issue of male suicide. 

Conversations about mental health have never been more important. 

Link hienalouca.com

https://hienalouca.com/2019/03/22/mike-thalassitis-grieving-friends-hold-a-vigil-in-the-woodland-where-his-body-was-found-hanged/
Main photo article Mike Thalassitis’ grieving friends have paid tribute to the late Love Island star by holding an emotional vigil on Friday in the woodland where his body was found hanged on Saturday. 
The reality star, who was aged 26, was discovered dead near his Edmonton home almost a week ago, with both ...

It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.

Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.

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