Love Island star Mike Thalassitis ended his own life after consuming cocaine, alcohol and paracetamol, a coroner has ruled.

On 16 March this year, the body of Thalassitis, 26, was discovered in a park in Enfield, north London, after police were called to reports of a man found hanged.

A coroner has now ruled the death was suicide.

The court heard that a number of notes addressed to his family were found by police at the back of a notebook.

His family confirmed the contents of these letters showed his intention to end his life.


Image: Thalassitis's family remembers him as a 'wonderful son and brother'

Thalassitis' family paid tribute to their "wonderful son and brother" outside North London Coroner's Court.

In a statement read out on their behalf, Thalassitis' manager and agent Dave Read said: "We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their kind messages and support during this very difficult time.

"Today's inquest concluded the sad news at the loss of our beautiful son and brother.

"We would respectfully request privacy at this time and digest what has happened to our family.

"Mike was a wonderful son and brother and will be dearly missed."

Thalassitis's death came after his grandmother - whom he lived with in order to care for her - died just two days earlier, while his best friend Danny Cutts passed away on Christmas Eve.

Image: Montana Brown, a fellow former Love Island contestant, outside North London Coroner's Court

There was an outpouring of tributes following his death, with Love Island presenter Caroline Flack calling Thalassitis a "total gentleman".

According to fellow contestant Montana Brown, Thalassitis had been in a "dark place" in the months before he died.

Brown attended the corner's court, giving comfort and support to his family.

Speaking outside court, she urged people to be "a little bit nicer, little bit kinder" to each other.

She said: "I think when someone dies in this way that you don't give up on the memory and I think a lot of people are scared to talk about it.

"But I think it's important to let his memory live on and to also remember the importance of why this happened and to change your own life on what terrible, terrible, terrible thing has happened to Mike.

"So just like I said in my speech at his funeral I think everyone should be a little bit nicer, little bit kinder.

"It's such an awful world that we live in so it's just nice to be nice, so I've definitely changed the way that I live my life and I urge people to do the same."

Image: Sophie Gradon killed herself in June 2018

Thalassitis was a lower league footballer and TV personality, who also appeared on Celebs Go Dating. His death sparked calls for better support and aftercare for people who take part in reality TV shows.

His death followed that of Sophie Gradon, 32, who had taken part in Love Island the year before and was found dead in June last year.

The show's producers have since said they have stepped up the care they offer contestants, including therapy and training.

The new series of Love Island began on Monday night.

Producers paid tribute to Thalassitis at the end of the opening episode, broadcasting a photo of the 26-year-old and a message on screen read: "In loving memory of Mike Thalassitis 1993-2019".

:: Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK.