Montana Brown has shared an extract from the touching eulogy she gave at the funeral of fellow Love Island contestant Mike Thalassitis.
In it, Montana called for reality stars to learn from Mike’s death and be kinder to one another.
Montana shared the extract on Instagram, revealing that it read: “I never knew that you were in so much pain, and I’m sorry that you felt like you couldn’t share your demons with me or your family as I’ve spent some time with them over the past two weeks and they’re the most down to earth, lovely people and I’m so happy you had such a strong support network. So the human body strives to survive, cells regenerate, they reboot, they mutate all to keep the body alive.
“For Mike’s mental illness to push him to the point where he wanted to self destruct and press that final game over button means that he must’ve been in such a dark place which we will never really understand.
“Mike, I truly believe you exhausted every avenue to avoid this outcome, as I know you knew you were loved, by so many people. 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.”
Montana, who appeared alongside Mike on the third series of Love Island in 2017, continued: “I keep thinking how we move through things so quickly these days, I mean life is so fast paced and people’s capacities to absorb something new often becomes maxed out. But the whole nation was shocked by this, and this isn’t something you should forget.
“So I’m looking at everyone here right and asking you to change yourself, change how you live your life, change how you love your loved ones and also change how you treat strangers. I can see a lot of reality faces in the room, please do not let this pass you by. It’s so hard, the rejection, the competitiveness, the need to constantly look like you’re ok, on social media.
“So let’s learn from this, we’re all in the same boat, we all have the same stresses, so let’s just be kinder, be nicer, be more genuine and let’s check in on each other and really want to hear the answer.
“If we can make each other less anxious, then let’s do it as life is too short.”
She added: “Mike I know you’re probably overhead telling me to put a cork in it, but I miss you so so much, I miss your laugh, I miss you slating tacky girls, I miss your potty month, I miss correcting your aint’s to isn’t and I miss your friendship.
“I hope you’re having fun up there, playing football, pulling birds, wearing your cap and full tracksuit and most importantly watching over all of us as you left us far too early darling.
“Sleep tight Mike and we will always remember you.”
Mike’s funeral was also attended by other Love Island stars, including Camilla Thurlow, Jamie Jewitt, Jonny Mitchell and Amber Davies as well as the reality show’s host, Caroline Flack.
He was found dead in a park near his north London home last month, with police later confirming they were not treating his death as suspicious.
Following news of his death, many former Love Island stars spoke out against the aftercare support they received after appearing on the show.
ITV later announced they would be introducing “bespoke” social media and financial training for future contestants, as well as being more proactive in their approach to checking in with former Islanders, following an independent review of their processes.
Useful websites and helplines:
- Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393
- Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill.)
- The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email: help@themix.org.uk
- Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0300 5000 927 (open Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on www.rethink.org.