Funeral held for Love Island’s Sophie Gradon
The funeral has been held for the late Sophie Gradon, a former contestant on reality show Love Island.
Gradon, who appeared on the 2016 version of Love Island, tragically passed away in June, with her fellow ex-contestants criticising the show’s aftercare.
Her boyfriend, Aaron Armstrong, confirmed on Thursday that the funeral had been held for the reality star, posting a photo of a booklet for the service on social media.
Writing on Instagram, he said: “I love you with all my heart my beautiful angel I’m absolutely heartbroken I can’t stop crying and I can feel your spirit in my soul.
He added: “RIP Sophie Hannah Gradon.”
Although the cause of Gradon’s passing has not been officially confirmed, police have said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.
Gradon had previously spoken out about her battles with anxiety and depression.
(aarona619/Instagram)
During her time on Love Island, Gradon was open about her history of dating women on the show, which is typically very heterosexual.
In one episode, Gradon opened up about her sexuality, telling fellow islander Zara Holland: “I’ll tell you a secret now, I dated a lesbian for about six months, and another lesbian for about five or six months.”
She was also the first person to form a same-sex couple with fellow islander Katie Salmon.
Gradon and Armstrong (Sophie Hannah Gradon / Facebook)
Since Gradon’s death, tributes have poured in for the reality star.
Gradon’s ex-girlfriend Natalie Phillips, who she dated for eight months before the show, posted an emotional message on Instagram saying: “I loved you with all my heart.”
Salmon paid tribute to the late star after her shock death at age 32, saying that the world had “failed” her.
In a lengthy post on Twitter, Salmon wrote: “I urge everyone to be kind to every person they meet and speak with on social media and in person a simple smile, a simple nice comment can make a difference.”
(Sophie Hannah Gradon / Facebook)
She added: “You really don’t know the battles they go through every single day.
“The world has failed you beautiful.”
Fly high beautiful so high! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/JPrqQgkPqC
— Katie Salmon (@katiesalmon24) 21 June 2018
As well as her appearance on Love Island Gradon had an established career in beauty pageants and was crowned Miss Great Britain in 2009.
(Sophie Hannah Gradon / Facebook)
The organisers of the Miss Great Britain pageant paid tribute to the 32-year-old on Twitter, writing: “Shocked beyond belief! RIP Sophie Gradon, sending all our love to Sophie’s family at this incredibly sad time.”
If you are having suicidal thoughts, suffering from anxiety or depression, or just want to talk, call The Samaritans on 116 123.
