Mike Thalassitis’ business partner has confirmed that their restaurant will open this weekend, with some of the proceeds from its launch going to a mental health charity.
In the wake of Mike’s death, Scott Neilson pushed forward with plans to launch the Essex eatery, The Skillet, in Mike’s memory, and he has now announced it will official open its doors on Saturday, April 27.
A post on The Skillet’s Instagram account reads: “In special tribute to Mike, all drink proceeds over launch weekend will be donated to the mental health charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) to build awareness of depression in young men and develop practical resources to support those suffering.
“Mike worked extremely hard on this launch. He was passionate about cooking and it was his dream to one day open a restaurant.
“Together, we have created a first-rate breakfast bar we hope you will enjoy and we invite you all to come down and celebrate his love of good food.”
The “modern brunch eatery” is described as specialising in “skillet breakfasts, from the traditional Full English to Classic American Buttermilk Pancakes and Mike’s very own favourite, Poutine Breakfast”.
Mike’s funeral took place earlier this month and was attended by many of his Love Island co-stars, as well as the show’s presenter Caroline Flack.
Montana Brown gave a eulogy during the service and later shared a section of it online for fans to read.
“I know you knew you were loved by so many people,” it read. “You’re kind, you’re generous and sometimes very lairy... but that’s the Mike that we all cherish and love.
“I know there’s a lot of people in the room that would give absolutely anything to have you back.
“You were so misunderstood, and I feel privileged to have been your friend, and I have to thank you for always being there for me, always sticking up for me and always telling me to stop being such a drama queen.
“You really were the best kind of person and I will always always remember you and learn from this awful situation.”