Former Love Island stars have taken to social media to pay tribute to season two contestant Sophie Gradon, who has died at the age of 32.
Sophie was best known for appearing on the 2016 series of the ITV2 show, which also featured Olivia Buckland, Alex Bowen, Nathan Massey and Cara de la Hoyde.
The programme’s contestants as well as host Caroline Flack have expressed their sadness at Sophie’s death.
Read more: Love Island contestant Sophie Gradon dead at 32
Caroline paid tribute to Sophie, tweeting: “So very sad. Such a beautiful soul …. such a beautiful smile …thoughts and love with friends and family.”
So very sad . Such a beautiful soul …. such a beautiful smile …thoughts and love with friends and family @sophiegradon ❤
— caroline flack (@carolineflack1) 21 June 2018
Meanwhile, the contestants who starred in the same series as Sophie have paid tribute.
Olivia, who was good friends with Sophie during their time in the villa, said she was devastated about the sad news.
She tweeted: “You were such an intricate, creative, intelligent soul. Words fail me.
“I send all my love and my thoughts to you today. To your family and your loved ones. I cannot work out what to say. RIP you beautiful beautiful woman. I’m so lucky to have met you. #stayshapey.”
Cara, who also starred in the 2016 series, said her heart is “broken.”
She wrote on Twitter: “Such a awful day my heart is broken & goes out to the very one effected.”
Such a awful day 💔 my heart is broken & goes out to the very one effected 🙏🏼
— Cara de la Hoyde (@Miss_Delahoyde) 21 June 2018
Malin Andersson, who appeared on the second series of the show, admitted the news still hasn’t “sunk in”.
RIP @sophiegradon THIS WORLD IS CRUEL. I can’t believe what I’ve just read. You beautiful angel. I have no words. I’m in so much pain. A beautiful friend and person. It hasn’t sunk in.
— Malin Andersson (@MissMalinSara) 21 June 2018
Kady McDermott said she feels “so glad” to have experienced Love Island with Sophie.
Absolutely heartbroken to hear what happened to Soph. I am so glad to have experienced Love Island with you and to have known you. Kind gentle soul taken too young. Stay Shapey up there. RIP💔
— Kady McDermott (@kadymcdermottx) 21 June 2018
Scott Thomas, who was coupled up with Kady in the series, said Sophie “always managed to see the good” in him.
No words…Such a beautiful, intelligent girl with a massive heart. She always managed to see the good in me and I saw it in her too! Rest in Peace Soph ❤
— Scott Thomas (@scottyspecial) 21 June 2018
Alex Bowen, who is engaged to Olivia, said he and Sophie shared “lots of little chats and so many laughs”.
We had lots of little chats and so many laughs 😢 you were the the shoulder to cry on and a beautiful person with a beautiful soul. Shine bright in that sky Sophie gradon ❤
— ALEX BOWEN (@ab_bowen07) 21 June 2018
Zara Holland, who also starred in the second series, said she’s “beyond heartbroken” to hear the news.
I’m beyond heartbroken, I’m in shock. My gorgeous girl, why. 😢😭 you will be truly missed, I will think about you every single day. The nicest, kindest, caring, hard working girl I have ever met. Sending all my love to your family. I love you x @sophiegradon pic.twitter.com/PqqPeb4PA7
— Zara Holland (@zaraholland11) 21 June 2018
Nathan Massey said Sophie was like a “big sis” to him in the villa.
Truly shocked and upset from the news this morning ! You was like a big sis to me in the villa 😞 thoughts go out to her family and Friends ! RIP Soph ❤
— LORD Nathan Massey (@NathanMassey_) 21 June 2018
I don’t know what to say….
I love you @sophiegradon 🙏🏼🖤
Rest in paradise
— Rykard (@ItsRykard) 21 June 2018
My deepest condolences to @sophiegradon family and loved ones. The world has lost a bright shinning star 🙏🏽💔
— Daniel Lukakis (@DanielLukakis) 21 June 2018
Meanwhile, Love Island stars from other series of the show have paid tribute to Sophie.
I am in absolutely in shock! @sophiegradon what a beautiful woman you were. RIP ❤
— Amber Davies (@Amber_Davies7) 21 June 2018
So sad far too young 😔 RIP Sophie ❤ x
— Jessica Hayes (@jessicahayes77) 21 June 2018
In lost of words right now 😔! RIP @sophiegradon such an amazing and beautiful girl ❤❤
— Hayley Hughes (@HayleyHughes_xx) 21 June 2018
Don’t miss out: Three steps to ensure you see all ED!’s latest news on Facebook
It was announced on Thursday that Sophie had passed away.
A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: “At about 8.27pm yesterday (June 20) police attended a property in Medburn, Ponteland, where sadly a 32-year-old woman was found deceased.
“There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding her death. A report will now be prepared for the coroner.”