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Mike Thalassitis death: 'Dear friend' of Love Island star, model Ellie O’Donnell, pays emotional tribute

A close friend of Mike Thalassitis has paid tribute to the Love Island star after he was found dead in a London park on Saturday.

Model Ellie O’Donnell, a “dear friend” of Thalassitis, described him as “the kindest soul” in a heartfelt post on Instagram, adding “Il [sic] never forget you”.

She said she had last spoken to the former Love Island contestant and semi-professional footballer via text the day before he died, and shared a photo of the pair drinking cocktails together on a recent night out.

She wrote: “I cannot believe I am writing this. I feel sick.

View this post on Instagram

I cannot believe I am writing this. I feel sick. I wish to god this was a nightmare and I could wake up. I can’t believe you are gone. It doesn’t feel real. You were literally texting me yesterday pictures of the samples for the colour of the tables in your new restaurant. That was your last text to me. I had no idea it would be the last time I’d ever hear from you. You were the kindest soul, you were so funny, you had so much to live for. Il never forget the last few days I spent with you. I’m glad I got to hear you laugh and see you smile before you left this world. These pics & this video were literally taken last week, I can’t believe we were laughing and joking then eating pizza and now you are not even here. It doesnt feel real, I am numb and feel sickened. Mike, il never forget you. Il never forget how passionate you were about your new restaurant, and il never forget you telling me about your trip to Thailand telling me how it was the best experience of your life just going out there with no plans, travelling around just living your best life. You told me one day, once the restaurant is up and running your gonna book a one way ticket again and go live your best life. I know I didn’t get to spend much time with you but I cannot believe this has happened and I wish I could have helped save you. This will haunt me for the rest of my life. I don’t think I will ever come to terms with it. RIP Mike. My heart goes out to your family & friends. 💔🙏🏽😭 (as for the media articles- Mike was not my boyfriend. He was a dear friend of mine and helped me massively through a difficult time in my life & I will be forever thankful to him for making me smile again. 😪)

A post shared by Ellie O'Donnell (@missellie_o) on Mar 16, 2019 at 2:40pm PDT

“I wish to god this was a nightmare and I could wake up. I can’t believe you are gone. It doesn’t feel real.

“You were literally texting me yesterday pictures of the samples for the colour of the tables in your new restaurant. That was your last text to me. I had no idea it would be the last time I’d ever hear from you. You were the kindest soul, you were so funny, you had so much to live for.”

Mike Thalassitis was found dead on Saturday (PA)
Mike Thalassitis was found dead on Saturday (PA)

“Il [sic] never forget the last few days I spent with you. I’m glad I got to hear you laugh and see you smile before you left this world," she added.

“It doesnt feel real, I am numb and feel sickened.

Mike on Love Island in 2017 next to contestant Georgia Harrison (Rex Features)
Mike on Love Island in 2017 next to contestant Georgia Harrison (Rex Features)

“Mike, il [sic] never forget you. Il [sic] never forget how passionate you were about your new restaurant… this will haunt me for the rest of my life. I don’t think I will ever come to terms with it.”

Police have said Thalassitis’ death is not being treated as suspicious.

Emergency services were called to a park close to Latymer Way, in Edmonton, north London, on Saturday.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

A statement from the Metropolitan Police said: "Police were called to a park near Latymer Way, N9, at 9.28am on Saturday, March 16 to reports of a man found hanged.

"Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended and found a man, aged in his 20s, deceased.

"At this early stage, the death is not being treated as suspicious. Police are in the process of informing the man's next of kin. A file will be prepared for the coroner."