Love Island 2016 star Sophie Gradon, who claimed she ‘sold her soul to reality TV’, was found dead at her parents’ home last night at the age of 32.
The former Miss Great Britain shot to fame after she became one half of the first bisexual couple on the ITV2 dating show and had sex with a male co-star in a wardrobe.
Police rushed to the property in Medburn in Ponteland, near Newcastle yesterday evening – just hours after she had been tweeting about this year’s series – where they found the 32-year-old dead.
Her heartbroken boyfriend Aaron Armstrong, who Sophie branded ‘The One’ on social media just hours before her death, penned: ‘I will never forget that smile I love you so so much baby your my world forever’.
In September Sophie told her Twitter followers: ‘Hi guys, no not dead just battling a little bit of depression. I’ll come back I promise x.’
Sophie had been friends with well-known bar owner Paul Burns who died earlier this month aged 37, and penned a poignant message in the wake of his death thanking him for, ‘being there when I needed someone’.
The former Miss Great Britain shot to fame after she became one half of the first bisexual couple on the ITV2 dating show and had sex with a male co-star in a wardrobe
The star appeared on the 2016 series of the hit ITV2 dating show and won a legion of fans
Adoring: Brokenhearted Aaron Armstrong penned: ‘ I will never forget that smile I love you so so much baby your my world forever’
Sophie passed away at her parents’ £960,000 home in Medburn, Ponteland. Her family were too upset to speak today
Sophie had recently paid tribute to her friend Paul ‘Conrad Burns’, who passed away at the age of 37 earlier in June
The star was left devastated after the death of her friend, Paul Burns
While it remains unclear how Sophie died, police said there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.
It is understood Sophie passed away at her parents’ £960,000 home in Medburn, Ponteland. Her family were too upset to speak today.
Sophie was crowned Miss Newcastle in 2008 and Miss Great Britain in 2009.
The 32-year-old broke 65 years of pageant tradition after she failed to pass on her Miss Great Britain crown at a ceremony in Somerset in 2010.
She was banned from attending because of a row over a train fine.
Sophie attended the prestigious Dame Allan’s School in Fenham, Newcastle, where fees are around £4,400 per term.
The star was found dead at her home
She graduated from Northumbria University with a 2:1 in Media, Culture & Society in 2007. Over the years she juggled positions in marketing and recruitment with working as a model and reality TV star.
Sophie hit the headlines in 2014 when she advertised for a house mate and was dubbed the ‘world’s most attractive house mate’.
She went on to win a legion of fans on the second season of Love Island when she entered the programme and found love with Thomas Powell, with whom she famously had sex in a wardrobe.
Later in the series she moved on with Katie Salmon, as they became the first bisexual couple on the show.
The lingerie model also dated rugby player Danny Cipriani.
On June 15, shortly after returning from a holiday in the south of France, the star tweeted: ‘I genuinely feel that when true & honest human souls get taken away from us, they are the ones who have found the meaning of life.’
In April Sophie documented her battle with anxiety, writing on Twitter: ‘Thinking back to when I became a total recluse, afraid to go out anywhere bc of crippling anxiety & how different my life is now!!! Facing up to your fears is sometimes the hardest but most rewarding thing!!!’
Just two days ago Sophie was tweeting about the current season of Love Island and joking with other reality TV stars about the series.
A spokesman for ITV said today: ‘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.’
There has been an outpouring of grief from Sophie’s friends and co-stars across social media today.
In September Sophie told her Twitter followers: ‘Hi guys, no not dead just battling a little bit of depression. I’ll come back I promise x’
Sophie won the hearts of fans on the second season of Love Island when she entered the programme and found love with Thomas Powell (pictured together), with whom she famously had sex in a wardrobe
Later in Love Island Sophie moved on with Katie Salmon, as they became the first bisexual couple on the show (pictured together)
She hit the headlines in 2014 after she advertised for a house mate and was dubbed the ‘world’s most attractive house mate’
Katie Salmon tweeted: ‘Fly high beautiful so high!’ alongside this poignant tribute
Katie Salmon tweeted: ‘Fly high beautiful so high!,’ alongside a poignant tribute reading: ‘Isn’t it crazy how someone so stunning, so smiley and appeared so happy can feel no way out. The world we live in behind social media.’
Olivia Buckland, who appeared in Love Island with Gradon, tweeted: ‘Awful awful news this morning. I am gutted.
‘I am so sorry the world failed you. You were such an intricate, creative, intelligent soul. Words fail me.’
In a second tweet, Buckland wrote: ‘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. £stayshapey.’
Heartbreaking: Love Island 2016 star Sophie Gradon passed away aged 32
There has been an outpouring of grief from Sophie’s friends and co-stars across social media today
Sophie was crowned Miss Newcastle in 2008 and Miss Great Britain in 2010
Geordie Shore star Holly Hagan wrote: ‘@sophiegradon you were only helping me battle the twitter trolls yesterday rest in peace beautiful’.
Love Island host Caroline Flack tweeted: ‘So very sad . Such a beautiful soul…. such a beautiful smile …thoughts and love with friends and family.’
Alex Bowen, who also appeared in Love Island in 2016, wrote: ‘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.’
Love Island winner Nathan Massey wrote: ‘Truly shocked and upset from the news this morning ! You was like a big sis to me in the villa. thoughts go out to her family and Friends ! RIP Soph.’
A spokesperson from Northumbria Police told MailOnline: ‘At about 8.27pm yesterday 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.’
Ms Gradon posted a series of emotional messages on social media in the days before her death
Posting heartfelt messages on her social media accounts, the star wrote: ‘I feel very deep tonight. Reflecting on life & what it means to live’
Sophie was left devastated by the death of her friend Paul Burns just weeks ago.
Mr Burns had been in charge of popular bar The Botanist in Newcastle city centre but passed away unexpectedly on June 2.
Posting on Facebook after Paul Burns’s funeral Sophie wrote: ‘Today was all about you sweetheart.
‘What an amazing send off for our Mr Newcastle Paul ‘Conrad’ Burns. Thank you for being there when you recognised I needed someone, you are a true saint.
‘I only wish I had got to know you better. All my love and thoughts with your nearest and dearest.
‘I’ve never felt so emotional yet so uplifted in my life.’
Heartbroken: Olivia’s tribute read: ‘Awful awful news this morning. I am gutted. I am so sorry the world failed you. You were such an intricate, creative, intelligent soul. Words fail me’
On the show: Reports surfaced on Thursday stating the Newcastle native had died, shortly before reality star Holly Hagan shared a tribute to the businesswoman
Thomas Powell today retweeted a message from Holly Hagan, who wrote: ‘If you’re struggling right now, people care about you! I promise please speak to someone.’
In November 2013, it was reported Sophie dumped rugby star Danny Cipriani after she claimed he was ‘too boring’.
The player had been dating her for some two months after splitting with model Kelly Brook following allegations of cheating.
The former Miss Great Britain was then said to be dating personal trainer Michael Thurston.
And in 2014 Sophie hit headlines when she posted an advert on the Spare Room flat share website, which helps tenants find rooms in shared accommodation.
She wrote on her online advert: ‘I’m extremely sociable and love nothing more than a good night out or drink in the house on a weekend with some chilled house music, candles & good vibes.
‘I’m not a serious person, I like to laugh, a lot. I have zero tolerance for complainers or negativity!’
Sophie, who had more than 400,000 followers on Instagram and more than 218,000 Twitter followers, took part in a talk earlier this year about the impact of social media on children.
She shared her own experience of online bullying as she backed the campaign to protect children from social media abuse.
Psychologist Emma Kenny, who took part in the same , described her as an ‘utterly lovely woman’.
Fan favourite: She won the hearts of fans on the second season of the show when she entered the programme and found love with Thomas Powell
- For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, or see samaritans.org for details.