'HEAVEN NEEDS YOU'
Mike Thalassitis’ brother Nick pays heartfelt tribute to tragic star as Caroline Flack joins mourners for a tearful farewell
LOVE Island presenter Caroline Flack was among hundreds of mourners who said a tearful farewell to star Mike Thalassitis yesterday.
The presenter, 39, was accompanied by Love Island narrator Iain Stirling, 31, for the funeral.
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They heard Mike’s older brother Nick pay a heartfelt tribute to the former footballer-turned-reality star.
He told the congregation: “He was supposed to be the best man at my wedding and the uncle to my kids.
“And although he can’t be there for those moments now, I know he’ll be watching them from somewhere else with a bright smile on his face.
“Mike was introduced to the public as a Greek god and maybe the heavens needed you more than the Earth.”
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Mike, who appeared in the 2017 series of the ITV2 show, took his own life after a hidden mental health battle.
The death of the 26-year-old, who had Greek heritage, sparked a debate about reality stars struggling to cope with the pressures of fame.
Yesterday, 2017 series co-stars, including Montana Brown Amber Davies, Georgia Harrison, Camilla Thurlow, Jamie Jewitt, Jonny Mitchell and Marcel Somerville, were among the mourners in Southgate, North London.
TV stars Rebekah Vardy and Joey Essex were also in attendance.
Montana fought back tears as she paid tribute and pleaded for everyone to look out for the vulnerable.
She said: “Whether they’re a stranger, a friend, or a loved one, try from now on to say, ‘How are you?’ and really mean it. If someone says, ‘I’m OK’, ask them why they’re just OK. Ask them again tomorrow, ask them again the next day. Make sure that they’re in a good place. We can’t see mental illness with the naked eye.”
Tribute from loving brother Nick
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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
- GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]
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