Tributes have been paid to former Love Island contestant Mike Thalassitis, a semi-professional footballer, whose death at the age of 26 has been announced.
One of a Cypriot family, Thalassitis was born in Edmonton in London and played for clubs including St Albans and Chelmsford. He stared in Love Island's 2017 series, when he was popularly known by the nickname "Muggy Mike" after teaming up with Chris Hughes' girlfriend Olivia Attwood.
Thalassitis also made an appearance on the reality show Celebs Go Dating in 2018.
Chris Hughes paid tribute to the Love Island participant and sportsman, telling people not to use the nickname at this sad time. "His name wasn't Muggy Mike. Please stop brandishing that," Hughes wrote on social media.
"His name was Mike Thalassitis, and every inch of my heart goes out to his family and friends. A good guy, taken far, far too soon."
Please. People with your lack of intelligence are the exact problem with social media. My tweet was a condolence for someone I knew and spent time with, and for the publications to associate his name correctly out of pure respect for his family. https://t.co/7LxY4XmTxr
— Chris Hughes (@chrishughes_22) March 16, 2019
Jonny Mitchell, who appeared on Love Island with Thalassitis, declared on Instagram that he was "heartbroken" by news of his friend's passing. He saluted his "positivity and charisma", adding: "I genuinely can't believe what I'm seeing here."
"My boy from the villa and one of my best mates from the show coming out," Mitchell wrote. "An absolute hero and a legend and someone I personally looked up to, always full of so much positivity and charisma.
"One of the best people I've ever known taken from us far too soon, I'm heartbroken and can't put into words how much I'm gonna miss you bro!"
Ferne McCann from The Only Way Is Essex remembered Mike Thalassitis with a few heartfelt words: "So so so so sad. Mike you absolute gent.
"I have no words. My heart and soul and love goes out to his friends and family. Too young. RIP."
Caroline Flack, the Love Island host, said: "Mike ... you were a total gentleman ... I won't forget that ... it's so sad ...you will be missed. RIP."
Footballer Joel Byrom, who played with Thalassitis at Stevenage, also tweeted his sympathy.
"Shocked and gutted to hear about this," he wrote. "Such a top lad coming through at Stevenage. RIP Thala."
