'Muggy' Mike Thalassitis, former Love Island star, dies aged 26 as ex-contestants demand more support
Mike Thalassitis, a former Love Island contestant, has died aged 26. The reality television star and semi-professional footballer died on Friday, his management confirmed.
Thalassitis, a Cypriot, was born in Edmonton in London and played for clubs including St Albans and Chelmsford.
He found fame on the 2017 series of the ITV competitive dating show, earning the nickname "Muggy Mike" after partnering with fellow islander Chris Hughes' girlfriend Olivia Attwood.
Thalassitis also appeared on the reality show Celebs Go Dating in 2018.
His death comes nine months after Sophie Gradon, another Love Island contestant, died at the age of 32.
Former contestants are calling for more support to be offered to people who appear on reality TV shows such as Love Island.
Dom Lever, a former Love Island co-star, criticised the show for its lack of support once contestants leave the villa.
He said: "You get a psychological evaluation before and after you go on the show but hands down once you are done on the show you don't get any support unless you're number one.' This followed a tweet where he expressed how shocked he was at the news."
Exactly mate, you should have someone to talk too. number 1 of first one gone you all deserve the same attention https://t.co/apIGihfNIE
— Dom Lever (@_DomLever) March 16, 2019
Kady McDermott, another former Love Island contestant, also said there should be more support.
She said: "Hopefully going forward reality shows will help more with the aftermath of being on one, because I can say it definitely didn't happen after my series when lots of us needed it. Peoples lives change over night and no one can mentally be prepared for it. The good and the bad."
Lauryn Goodman, another reality TV figure, said it was "time to wake up".
@LoveIsland@ITVBe@itv2 Before anymore TV auditions there needs to be compulsory mental health support put in place. Not just "we have support there if you need." TOO many are dying from reality shows. Time to wake up. Changes need to happen, how many more?
— Lauryn Goodman (@LaurynGoodman) March 16, 2019
Dr Alex George, who appeared in the last season of Love Island, referred to the challenges during an interview with the Telegraph last year.
“Working in A&E, I’m used to dealing with high pressure situations,” George said. “But Love Island was so far out of my comfort zone. At the start, my confidence was broken down completely and I had to find the strength to come back from that..."
Devastated to hear of the passing of Mike Thalassitis. My heart goes out to friends and family ❤️
— Dr Alex (@DrAlexGeorge) March 16, 2019
Counsellors were available 24-hours a day, and still occasionally called him up to see how he was doing, he said.
Cast pay tribute to Thalassitis
Hughes was among the cast members who paid tribute on Saturday, urging people not to use the nickname.
He said: "His name wasn't Muggy Mike. Please stop brandishing that.
"His name was Mike Thalassitis, and every inch of my heart goes out to his family & friends. A good guy, taken far, far to soon."
Jonny Mitchell appeared on Love Island with Thalassitis, and the pair remained friends.
In a post to Instagram Mitchell said he was "heartbroken" by news of Thalassitis' death, hailing his "positivity and charisma".
He said: "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. 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!"
Love Island host Caroline Flack dubbed him a "total gentleman".
She said: "Mike... you were a total gentleman... I won't forget that ... it's so sad ...you will be missed. RIP."
Ferne McCann also paid tribute. The 28-year-old reality star - who appeared in The Only Way Is Essex from 2013 to 2016 - said: "so so so so sad. Mike you absolute gent.
"I have no words. My heart and soul and love goes out to his friends & family. Too young. RIP"
Calum Best, the son of footballer George Best and a former Celebrity Love Island contestant, described the news as "so sad".
He said: "Jesus that's so sad , rip mike . Way too young . Thoughts and prayers with his friends and family".
Thalassitis split from The Only Way Is Essex star Megan McKenna late last year.
Death should be 'wake-up call'
Sheridan Smith said the death of Thalassitis should be a "massive wake up call".
Writing on Twitter, the Cleaning Up star, 37, said she had been left feeling ill by the news of the reality star's death.
The Bafta award-winner asked fans to reach out to their friends, even those who might outwardly appear confident and happy.
Smith has spoken about her experience of mental illness. She suffered a breakdown following the death of her father Colin from cancer in 2016.
