Mike Thalassitis was in a ‘dark place’ and had turned to self-help book The Magic before he died, says friend Montana Brown

LOVE Island star Montana Brown has said her friend Mike Thalassitis was in a "dark place" and had turned to self-help book The Magic before his untimely death.

The model, who appeared alongside Mike on 2017's series of the show, today posted an emotional tribute to the star, who was found hanged in a park in North London.

Alongside pictures of the pair on night out together, Montana said she was "angry" with Mike, adding that she was "heartbroken" that she couldn't help him.

In a long Instagram post, she wrote: "Firstly, I'm so angry at you for doing this because you are so loved by so many people and I just wish you picked up the phone so we could've sorted this out. This didn’t need to happen😭.

"Secondly, it annoys me that you were so misunderstood. 'Muggy Mike' was your stage name and let's face it, the ladies did fall at your feet BUT everyone had this impression of you and you were literally the opposite you were one of a kind."

She told the 26-year-old: "Mike, you were so thoughtful, caring and loyal to me and all your friends, you know some of my darkest secrets and I know yours."

Montana added: "I could always rely on you to tell me when I'm being a nut job to Elliott and tell me to get off his case and I always told you to stop partying too much and getting too p***ed😂🙈.

"I just wish people had a tiny glimpse of what the real you was like."

Calling him the "kindest, sweetest person", she continued: "Now I know you were in a dark place a few months back and I thought you were past it and that you were on the up."

Referring to a Rhonda Byrne self-help book, she added: "I got you to buy The Magic, you wrote down your gratitudes, you had the pictures of your family in your car to remind you to be grateful for them.

The reality hunk, affectionately nicknamed Muggy Mike, was found hanged in a park in Edmonton, North London, on Friday.

He had also been mourning the death of his beloved nan at the age of 94 and there were rumours he had run up debts due to his party lifestyle.

Mike was also reported to be shellshocked by the death of a close friend on Christmas Eve.

• IF you are having suicidal thoughts, suffering from anxiety or depression or just want to talk, call The Samaritans on 116 123.