GOODBYE MIKE
Tearful Love Islander Montana Brown urges reality stars to ‘be kinder and more genuine’ in moving eulogy at Mike Thalassitis’ funeral
MONTANA Brown pleaded with reality stars to “be kinder” in her eulogy at Mike Thalassitis’ funeral today.
Love Islander Montana told mourners to “change how you live your life” as she paid tribute to the reality TV celebrity, 26.
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Mike, affectionately nicknamed Muggy Mike, was found hanged in a park near his home in Edmonton, North London.
Montana was spotted sobbing as she arrived at Christ Church in Southgate, North London, alongside other celebs including Love Island host Caroline Flack and Rebekah Vardy.
During the service, Montana told the congregation: “The whole nation was shocked by this, and this isn't something you forget.
"I'm looking at everyone right here and asking you to change yourself, change how you live your life, change how you love your loved ones, and also change how you treat strangers.
"I can see a lot of reality faces in the room, please do not let this pass you by.
"It's so hard, the rejection, the competitiveness, the need to constantly look ok on social media.
"So let's learn from this. We're all in the same boat. We all go through the same stresses.
"Let's just be kinder, be nicer, more genuine, let's check in on each other, life's too short."
I'm asking you to change yourself, change how you live your life, change how you love your loved ones, and also change how you treat strangers.
Montana Brown
Montana, a close pal of Mike’s, also spoke of her love for the former semi-pro footballer.
She said: “Mike I truly believe you exhausted every avenue to avoid this outcome as I know you knew you were loved by so many people.
"You're kind, you're generous, and sometimes very lairy, but that's the Mike we all cherish and love.
“I know there's people in this room who'd give anything to have you back.
"You were so misunderstood, and I feel privileged to have been your friend."
Reality star guests came together for today's service with Love Islanders Amber Davies, Johnny Mitchell, Samira Mighty, Ellie Brown and Zara McDermott also spotted.
Mario Falcone and Joey Essex were also among the Towie stars that came to pay their respects.
'WISHED TODAY WOULD NEVER COME'
Mike's brother Nick stood next to loved ones by the funeral hearse before the commemoration.
Inside, Mike's coffin was adorned with white and blue flowers spelling out 'brother' and 'Mike'.
A framed picture of the deceased - smiling, wearing a smart shirt and tie - rested alongside the casket which had a large bouquet of white roses on top.
Later Nick led mourners as they wheeled Mike's coffin into the church this afternoon.
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During the service Montana joined family members in making personal tributes to Mike while his friends Aaron, Rodney and Scott read a poem.
Music included Fix You by Coldplay and The Living Years by Mike & The Mechanics.
Montana shared a heart-felt tribute to her pal on social media this morning.
Posting a picture to her Instagram story, she wrote: "Wished today would never come".
Just after Mike's tragic death Montana broke down on This Morning after revealing she didn't reply to the final text he sent her.
BATTLING DEMONS
Montana said: "I spoke to him two days before. But I’m kicking myself because he text me but I didn’t actually reply. I’m really bad on my phone. I wish I had replied."
She wept, adding: "He just said: ‘How is it going girl, how are you?' I didn’t reply."
The former semi-pro footballer had recently suffered a painful split from his Towie star ex-girlfriend Megan McKenna and had been mourning the death of his beloved gran at the age of 94.
There were also rumours he had run up debts due to his party lifestyle.
Speaking on the day of his death, The Sun's Dan Wootton revealed Mike was left grief-stricken in recent days over the death of his gran.
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Dan said: "He was grieving the loss of his nan.
"She was 94 and he had moved in to live with her because she needed a full-time carer. He assured me he was fine and was excited about the launch of his shop.
"There was so much in store for his future that this is truly senseless.
"Mike wasn’t the lad you saw on Love Island. He was tender and sensitive and vulnerable and desperate for true love. Rest in peace, mate. I will miss you."
FOOTBALLER TURNED REALITY STAR
Mike, who shot to fame on the 2017 series of ITV2’s Love Island, was also reported to be shell-shocked by the death of a close friend on Christmas Eve.
Born in Edmonton, the Cypriot played for teams including Ebbsfleet United, St Albans, Chelmsford, Welling United, Stevenage and Margate.
MOST READ IN NEWS
Describing himself as "tall, dark and handsome", Mike vowed not to be a "villain" on the ITV2 show Love Island when he entered in week two.
But he earned the nickname "Muggy Mike" from islander Chris Hughes after stealing the heart of Olivia Attwood.
The reality star was due to open his own restaurant, with reports suggesting the unveiling would be next week.
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Love Islander Montana Brown posted this heartfelt message to her Instagram story
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Dani Dyer talks Mike Thalassitis' death and the psychological support from Love Island producers
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YOU'RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society - from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others.
You're Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, , 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,
- Mind, , 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus,, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, , 116 123
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