Love Island star Sophie Gradon killed herself aged 32 after battling depression and money troubles, her friends have claimed.
The ITV2 show tonight aired a tribute to 2016 contestant Sophie Gradon who was found dead at her parents' home on Wednesday night.
The former Miss Great Britain shot to fame after she became one half of the first bisexual couple on the ITV2 show and had sex with a male co-star in a wardrobe.
Her friends have revealed she also lost a close friend in the run-up to her death, which saw her fall into a 'dark place'.
Friends told The Sun last night: 'She had suffered from depression and anxiety and there was talk of financial issues which obviously adds to the worry she was enduring.
'Her friends thought she was in a great place as she was madly in love with her boyfriend and life was good.
'However a good friend died and it affected her very badly.'
Police rushed to Sophie's £960,000 family home in Medburn near Newcastle on Wednesday, where they found her dead.
A tribute to Sophie was shown at the top of tonight's episode, which read: 'In loving memory of Sophie Gradon'.
Her heartbroken boyfriend Aaron Armstrong, who Sophie branded 'The One' on social media hours before her death, penned: 'I will never forget that smile I love you so so much baby your my world forever'.
Sophie, who attended the £4,400-a-term Dame Allan's School in Newcastle, claimed she 'sold her soul to reality TV'.
She documented her struggle with anxiety and depression on social media.
She told her Twitter followers in September: 'Hi guys, no not dead just battling a little bit of depression. I'll come back I promise x.'
The model was friends with popular bar owner Paul Burns, 37, who died weeks ago and penned a poignant message after his death thanking him for, 'being there when I needed someone'.
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 confirmed her relationship with Aaron Armstrong, who is understood to be a boxer, on Facebook on May 29.
They were introduced by their friend Kalvin Banks, the director of a computer company and just three weeks ago Mr Armstrong joked to friends that he and Sophie were 'planning their wedding'.
On June 15, shortly after returning from a holiday in the south of France, Sophie 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!!!'
She wrote in October: 'Feel so guilty when my anxiety takes over, for not wanting to see or speak to anyone. Some days I get so overwhelmed I just want to nap!'
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.
TWEET YOUR COMMENT