'DEARLY MISSED BY SO MANY'
Sophie Gradon dead – Love Island star’s ex Thomas Powell breaks his silence after her tragic death aged 32
SOPHIE Gradon's ex-boyfriend Thomas Powell has paid tribute to the late star after her shock death at age 32.
Posting on Twitter, a heartbroken Tom said: "Always had a way with words... you will be dearly missed by so many."
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It came after her other villa ex Katie Salmon wrote: "Isn't it crazy how someone so stunning, so smiley and appeared so happy can feel [like there is] no way out.
"I'm heartbroken for you Soph to have felt this pain. I wish there was more help out there.
"Your smile will be remembered forever. My thoughts are with your family, friends and loved ones at this horrendous time.
"Too young, too sweet, too kind. Am sending all my love I truly am to everyone who had the pleasure of ever being in her company!"
Sophie was found dead at her home near Newcastle last night.
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Sophie Gradon leaves Love Island after ending fling with Katie Salmon
Her devastated boyfriend Aaron Armstrong posted an emotional tribute to the star this morning, saying: ";I will never forget that smile."
He added: "I love you so much baby your (sic) my world forever and always".
After the news broke, her friends paid tribute to “amazing and beautiful” Sophie.
Geordie Shore's Holly Hagan told her fans: “You were only helping me battle the Twitter trolls yesterday. Rest in peace beautiful.”
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Her co-star Nathan Henry tweeted: “Rest in peace you beautiful little angel, the heavens are blessed with a beautiful smile R.I.P.”
Olivia Buckland told her followers: “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."
She added: "You were such an intricate, creative, intelligent soul.
Caroline Flack added: "So very sad . Such a beautiful soul .... such a beautiful smile ...thoughts and love with friends and family."
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Love Island’s Hayley Hughes added: “I’m lost of words right now ! RIP @sophiegradon such an amazing and beautiful girl.”
Shelby Tribble wrote to Sophie: “Such sad news RIP beautiful.”
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The official twitter account of Miss Great Britain also paid tribute to Sophie, who wore the crown in 2009.
Meanwhile Love Island also wrote on it's official Twitter account: "The whole ITV2 and Love Island team are profoundly saddened to hear the news about Sophie, and our deepest sympathies and thoughts go to her family and friends."
Previous winner Cara De La Hoyde reached out to Sophie's family and wrote online: “Such a awful day my heart is broken & goes out to the very one effected.”
Malin Andersson told her fans: “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.”
Olivia Buckland's fiance Alex Bowen also paid tribute to Sophie, calling her a beautiful person with a beautiful soul.
He added: “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.”
Other stars to pay tribute to Sophie from the 2016 series included Kady McDermott, who wrote on Instagram: "I am absolutely heartbroken to hear what happened to Soph. It was honestly an honour to experience Love Island with you the show that changed all our lives, and I am so glad to have known you.
"So beautiful with a massive heart. I so wish we stayed in contact more despite our busy lives and I wish we could of known and helped you through your battle because you wasn’t alone.😥
"I pray and give strength to your family and loved ones at this time. You’re in a better place now, sleep tight angel 💔 #RIP #STAYSHAPEY #ShapeySoph #WeLoveYouSophie".
Emma-Jane Woodhams also used Instagram to share a picture of Sophie alongside the words: "I am so saddened by the news I woke up to. The world has lost a beautiful bubbly soul 💔
"You had the ability to light up a room with that smile and the funniest sense of humour. As beautiful inside as you were on the outside.
"Heaven has gained a shapey little angel albeit far to soon 😔 Its an honour to have known you and shared such a once in a life time experience.
"My heart aches for your family, partner and closest friends. Rest in peace Soph fly free."
Love Island's Montana Brown told her online followers: “I’m in shock.... My thoughts are with you and your family @sophiegradon. The heavens have gained an angel RIP beautiful girl.”
Geordie Shore's Sophie Kasaei said: “It was only 24 hours ago we were laughing about me on Twitter and talking about my antics. You were the most beautiful kind hearted soul .... we have lost another angel.”
Sophie's pal and Love Island star Cally Jane Beech: “I’m so so shocked and heartbroken to hear this tragic news about @sophiegradon What a beautiful soul she was I’m completely speechless. RIP Soph you angel.”
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Big Brother star Chanelle Hayes wrote: "This is so sad. 32 years old is far too young. Life is far too short. Whenever I spent time with @sophiegradon we had laughs s**ts and giggles. So sad to hear the news today 💔💔💔 #RIP."
Kerry Katona added: "Absolutely devastating another beautiful soul loss to mental health issues!!! Someone who always looked so happy.... please please please don’t suffer in silence!!!!!!!!"
Meanwhile Celebrity Big Brother's Jamie O'Hara shared on Instagram: "I’m devastated that another beautiful soul looses there life to mental health, how many more people who look happy seem happy but are loosing there battle inside.
How Sophie Gradon was introduced to Love Island viewers back in 2016
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"I urge people to do more regards mental health issues I for one will be taking on more roles to help people suffering with depression and mental health, if you are suffering you are not alone please don’t suffer in silence we are all in this life together.
"RIP @sophiegradon my thoughts and prayers with your family and friends."
A Northumbria Police spokesperson 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.”
Katie and Sophie hooked up on Love Island 2016 when Sophie dumped boyfriend Tom Powell for Katie.
But she ditched Katie just one day later. However, they managed to stay friends after the show ended.
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