Caroline Flack pays emotional tribute to Love Island star Sophie Gradon

CAROLINE Flack paid an emotional tribute to late Love Island star Sophie Gradon after her tragic passing earlier this week.

Speaking on Love Island: Aftersun, Caroline looked teary-eyed as she paused proceedings before cutting to an advert break.

The 38-year-old host said: “Before we go, tragically this week we lost a beautiful soul in Sophie Gradon.

“She was a gorgeous person both inside and out… Everyone’s thoughts here at Love Island are with Sophie’s friends and family at this really terrible time.”

An emotional Caroline added: “Sophie we will never forget you.”

News broke at the beginning of the week that 32-year-old Sophie’s body had been found at her parents’ home near Newcastle.

Sophie Gradon passed away earlier this week after starring in the 2016 series of Love Island

It remains unclear how Sophie died but a police spokesman said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death – as friends feared she had taken her own life.

Her boyfriend Aaron Armstrong revealed the news on Facebook account.

Sharing a picture of them together, he wrote: “I will never forget that smile I love you so so much baby your my world forever ever and always”

Sophie described her battle with crippling anxiety and depression in a series of social media posts just months before her death.

Sophie, 32, was famed for being on Love Island on series 2 in 2016 where she was partnered with Tom Powell.

After he left the island she made history on the show as one half of the show’s first same-sex couple after she coupled up with Katie Salmon.

The former reality star, who hailed from Newcastle, was crowned Miss Great Britain in 2009.

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