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LOVE Island star Amber Davies has paid tribute to Sophie Gradon and revealed how she sent her mum messages of support during last year's series.
The Sun's Love Island columnist has said Sophie reached out to her mum Sue while she was in the villa and "getting stick" from viewers on social media.
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Amber went on to be crowned winner of the 2017 series, alongside her now-ex Kem Cetinay, and struck up a friendship with Sophie, who appeared on Love Island in 2016.
She has now spoken about the former Miss Great Britain, who was tragically confirmed dead aged 32 earlier today.
Amber exclusively told The Sun Online: "Sophie was such a beautiful person, both inside and out.
"We didn’t know each other before I went into Love Island but, when I was on the show and was getting a bit of stick, Sophie would message my mum to tell her everything would be OK.
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"Sophie was always thinking of others."
Amber added: "She was so, so lovely and when I left the villa we became friends and would send each other messages all the time."
In March, Amber attended the Pride Of The North East Awards where she bumped into Sophie's mum.
Amber said: "I can’t imagine what her friends and family must be going through.
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"I’m thinking of them. She will be incredibly missed."
Sophie was found dead at home in Newcastle last night.
In the months before her death, the pretty brunette described her battle with crippling anxiety and depression in a series of social media posts.
Close friends have since revealed she was struggling to cope after the death of her friend Paul Burns, whose funeral she attended last week.
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A pal told The Sun Online: "She had been privately struggling with depression but close friends thought she was in a great place as she was madly in love with her boyfriend and life was good.
"However her good friend Paul Burns died and it affected her very badly.
"She struggled to cope with it and fell into a dark place."
The pal added Sophie was "daft as a brush but loved by all", saying: "She was a loving and loyal friend who wouldn't hurt a soul."
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Friends have been left reeling from her death, with devastated boyfriend Aaron Armstrong writing in a tribute to Sophie: "I will never forget that smile."
He added: "I love you so much baby you're my world forever and always".
Sophie's ex and fellow Love Island star Katie Salmon has also paid tribute, saying the world had "failed" her.
Katie wrote on social media: "Isn't it crazy how someone so stunning, so smiley and appeared so happy can feel [like there is] no way out.
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"The world we live in behind social media.
"I urge everyone to be kind to every person they meet and speak with on social media and in person a simple smile, a simple nice comment can make a difference.
"You really don't know the battles they go through every single day. The world has failed you beautiful.
"I'm heartbroken for you Soph to have felt this pain."
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How Sophie Gradon was introduced to Love Island viewers back in 2016
A police spokesman today said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding Sophie's death.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “At about 8.27pm yesterday (June 20) police attended a property in Medburn, Ponteland, where sadly a 32-year-old woman was found deceased.
“There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding her death. A report will now be prepared for the coroner.”
Sophie's last social media post has since been revealed, with the 32-year-old having written a caring message to a pal on Facebook.
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She had also shared a smiling snap to Instagram the day before her death.
Meanwhile, Love Island bosses have paid tribute to Sophie with a message on the show's official Twitter account.
It read: "The whole ITV2 and Love Island team are profoundly saddened to hear the news about Sophie, and our deepest sympathies and thoughts go to her family and friends."
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