Sophie Gradon, who appeared on 2016’s series of Love Island, has died at the age of 32.
Sophie’s boyfriend, Aaron Armstrong, along with her friends and family, confirmed the sad news via Sophie’s personal Facebook account.
Aaron also took to his personal social media account to pay tribute to his girlfriend.
Sharing a picture of the two together, Aaron wrote:
I will never forget that smile I love you so so much baby your my world forever ever and always [sic]
The reality star, from Newcastle, was crowned Miss Great Britain in 2009, and was also a former Miss Newcastle.
As the Mirror reports, Sophie made history on Love Island as one half of the show’s first same-sex couple, after she paired up with Katie Salmon.
In 2016, Sophie launched her own clothing collection for The Fashion Bible.
Friends and fans have already taken to social media to pay tribute to Sophie:
According to The Sun, 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.
The cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
Just a few days ago, Sophie paid tribute to ‘Mr Newcastle’, Paul Burns, who died earlier this month.
Posting on Instagram, she wrote:
Today was all about you sweetheart. What an amazing send off for our Mr Newcastle @mrpaulburns1
Thank you for being there when you recognised I needed someone, you are a true saint. I only wish I had got to know you better.
All my love and thoughts with your nearest and dearest […] I’ve never felt so emotional yet so uplifted in my life.
Friends and fellow reality stars shared their condolences on Twitter.
Geordie Shore‘s Holly Hagan wrote:
@sophiegradon you were only helping me battle the twitter trolls yesterday […] rest in peace beautiful
Another Geordie Shore personality, Abbie Holborn, wrote:
It just shows someone can look the happiest person, but you never know what goes on behind closed doors. So beautiful, r.i.p
Sophie’s Love Island co-star Olivia Buckland said:
Awful awful news this morning. I am gutted. I am so sorry the world failed you. You were such an intricate, creative, intelligent soul. Words fail me.
Shocked fans of the Love Island star also shared their feelings online.
One wrote:
Incredibly sad news about Sophie Gradon. Believe me when I say, even when it looks like you have everything, you can feel like you have nothing. Social media is very deceiving!
While another wrote:
Heavy how that Sophie Gradon from Love Island appeared to be fine to the general public tweeting and having a laugh with everyone as recently as 2 days ago.
Just goes to show you can be happy on the outside but fighting a battle on the inside. RIP
Our thoughts are with Sophie’s friends and family at this difficult time.
Charlie Cocksedge is a journalist and sub-editor at UNILAD. He graduated from the University of Manchester with an MA in Creative Writing, where he learnt how to write in the third person, before getting his NCTJ. His work has also appeared in such places as The Guardian, PN Review and the bin.