Stars have paid tribute to former Love Island contestant and ex-Miss Great Britain Sophie Gradon, who has died aged 32.
The reality TV star, who appeared in the 2016 series of the ITV2 dating show, was found dead on Wednesday in Ponteland, Northumberland, police confirmed.
Caroline Flack, who hosts the programme, tweeted: “So very sad. Such a beautiful soul… such a beautiful smile… thoughts and love with friends and family @sophiegradon.”
So very sad . Such a beautiful soul …. such a beautiful smile …thoughts and love with friends and family @sophiegradon ❤️
— caroline flack (@carolineflack1) June 21, 2018
Zara Holland, who appeared on Love Island with Gradon and was also previously Miss Great Britain, tweeted that she is “beyond heartbroken, I’m in shock”.
She added: “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.”
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) June 21, 2018
Olivia Buckland, who appeared in Love Island with Gradon, tweeted: “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.”
In a second tweet, Buckland wrote: “You helped us through so much. Your smile was one in a million. The world failed. 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.”
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.
— Olivia Buckland (@OliviaDBuck) June 21, 2018
You helped us through so much. Your smile was one in a million. The world failed. 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
— Olivia Buckland (@OliviaDBuck) June 21, 2018
“Such a awful day,” wrote Cara de la Hoyde, who won Love Island in 2016.
“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) June 21, 2018
De la Hoyde’s partner and fellow Love Island winner Nathan Massey also tweeted a tribute for Gradon.
He wrote: “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.”
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_) June 21, 2018
Kady McDermott, another Islander alongside Gradon, tweeted: “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.”
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) June 21, 2018
Referring to a catchphrase of Gradon’s, McDermott added: “Stay Shapey up there. RIP.”
Love Island 2016 star Alex Bowen said he had “lots of little chats and so many laughs” with Gradon.
He added: “You were the shoulder to cry on and a beautiful person with a beautiful soul. Shine bright in that sky Sophie gradon.”
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) June 21, 2018
Last year’s Love Island winner Amber Davies said she was “absolutely in shock” and added: “What a beautiful woman you were.”
I am in absolutely in shock! @sophiegradon what a beautiful woman you were. RIP ❤️
— Amber Davies (@Amber_Davies7) June 21, 2018
The official Miss Great Britain Twitter account wrote: “Shocked beyond belief!!! RIP @sophiegradon sending all our love to Sophie’s family at this incredibly sad time.”
Shocked beyond belief!!! RIP @sophiegradon sending all our love to Sophie’s family at this incredibly sad time 😔xx
— Miss Great Britain ® (@Official_MissGB) June 21, 2018
@sophiegradon you were only helping me battle the twitter trolls yesterday 😩💔 rest in peace beautiful ❤️
— H O L L Y H A G A N (@HollyGShore) June 21, 2018
Geordie Shore star Holly Hagan, a friend of Gradon, said that she was “helping me battle the twitter trolls yesterday, rest in peace beautiful”.