LOVE Island star Sophie Gradon’s mum has paid a heartbreaking tribute to her late daughter on her birthday.
Sophie sadly took her own life in 2018, two years after she appeared on the ITV2 dating show.
On what would have been her 35th birthday, her mum Deborah took to Twitter to share a touching post.
Deborah shared a picture of Sophie smiling as she rode a horse and she wrote alongside it: “You didn’t want to leave us, You didn’t want to die
You wanted the pain to stop.
“Happy celestial birthday Darling Sophie. I love you and this is how I remember you. Always happy, always smiling.”
Sophie was found at her parents home by Northumbria Police on June 20, 2018.
Just 20 days later, her 25-year-old boyfriend Aaron Armstrong also took his own life.
Sophie has remained in the thoughts of her friends and loved ones ever since, with her Love Island co-star Malin Andersson paying a touching tribute to her in June on the anniversary of her death.
Sharing a picture from the Love Island villa of the girls – including Olivia Buckland, Kady McDermott and Zara Holland – Malin wrote: “Always right beside me. Then, now. Forever.
“I know you’re dancing with my girls. Love you Soph.”
Love Island stars Scott Thomas and Kady shared a string of hearts beneath the post, whilst Rykard Jenkins took to Instagram to share his own memories.
Beneath a beautiful portrait shot of Sophie smiling, he said: “Sophie it’s been a mad couple of years! You haven’t missed much apart from the world going in absolute melt down over a pandemic caused by a bat in Asia lol.
“I miss your humour, happiness & positive outlook on life. You’re a great person & everyone still loves & misses you down here! I’ll always hold you close my friend, Rest in Paradise.”
