MIKE Thalassitis’ parents have paid emotional tribute on the two-year anniversary of his suicide, saying that they “didn’t see it coming”.
The Love Island star tragically took his own life on 15 March 2019 at the age of 26, with mum and dad Shirley and Andy now breaking their silence.
The pair have been left heartbroken by their son’s death, and recalled seeing him just days earlier – where he’d told them he’d visit again soon.
Andy, 65, told The Mirror: “We just didn’t see it coming. I felt utter disbelief.
“He came to the house the Thursday before and said he was fine. He said: ‘ I’ll see you Sunday’, and that was it.”
Shirley, 63, added: “We have to live with what happened and he is on our mind every single day.”
Two years on, the devastated mother still visits Mike’s grave several times a week, as she finds that being close to him brings her comfort.
Mike was believed to have been grieving the death of his 94-year-old gran and faced mounting debts before his death.
His friend and co-star Montana Brown revealed that he’d been in a “dark place” in the months before, having shot to fame on Love Island in 2017.
She broke down in tears on This Morning shortly after the news broke as she revealed that Mike had texted her before his suicide and she hadn’t replied.
She wept at the time: “I spoke to him two days before. But I’m kicking myself because he text me but I didn’t actually reply. I’m really bad on my phone. I wish I had replied.”
Love Island bosses overhauled their duty of care following the star’s death, saying that all would be able to access therapy sessions, social media and financial training, and a minimum of 14 months of ‘proactive’ contact after appearing on the show.
