Megan McKenna was ‘the first person Mike Thalassitis ever loved’ says his former manager
The Love Island star was said to be really down following their break up in July last year
MIKE Thalassitis' former manager has revealed Megan McKenna was the first girl the tragic star had ever loved.
Dave Read opened up about the 26-year-old's shock death during a heartfelt interview, where he explained that the former Towie star had been his first proper girlfriend.
He told: "I don't want to pretend I know all of Mike's medical history, because I don't. But I will say that he was very down after he split from Megan McKenna.
"He openly admitted that he had really fallen for her. She was his first proper girlfriend and, although he'd dated other people in the past, it was the first time he'd fallen in love."
He added: "The break-up hit him really hard and he was down for a few months."
Mike dated Megan, 26, for eight months from January until the pair ended their relationship for good in July last year.
However, Dave explained how he had suggested Mike should seek some counselling as he had been much quieter than usual.
Meanwhile, Mike's Love Island co-star and friend Montana Brown appeared on This Morning last week to recall her final chat with him.
Last Monday Montana, 23, broke down on This Morning as she revealed she didn't reply to Mike's final text.
She said: "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."
She wept, adding: "He just said: ‘How is it going girl, how are you?' I didn’t reply."
Host Phillip Schofield comforted her saying: "Listen, you can't possibly, possibly know.
"As you said yourself, you thought he was in a better place. You thought he was getting there."
Speaking about the "dark" period Mike went through last year, Montana added: "He went through a really rough time November and December time.
"And I know he was really struggling. That's when I thought ‘Oh my goodness, I feel like something bad is going to happen if I don't do something.'
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The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
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"At that point, the work wasn’t coming in, he’d finished Celebs Go Dating, the buzz had kind of gone and he didn’t really know what to do for work.
"He wanted to be his own boss and he didn't know how to do that. I know he had a massive tax bill that he paid. I think the stress really, really got to him."
"He thought, 'This fame isn't what it's cracked up to be? Where do I go now?"
The reality hunk was found hanged in a park in Edmonton, North London, on Friday 16 March.
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Let's Talk
THE Sun’s Let’s Talk campaign is encouraging those with suicidal thoughts to contact loved ones and professionals, as well as asking the friends and family of anyone displaying suicidal behaviour to get in touch with them.
Get professional suicide prevention advice at Papyrus HopeLineUK on 0800 068 4141 or email [email protected]
On Friday Mike's heartbroken friends lit candles and sent lanterns flying into the sky in his memory in the park where he was found.
Sharing footage from the vigil, his friend Michelle, wrote: "For @mikethalassitis. Goodnight @MikeThalassitis Catch those lanterns in the Sky".
Flowers can be seen laid by a tree next to tealights surrounding pictures of Mike.
- The Sun launched a Let’s Talk campaign encouraging those with suicidal thoughts to contact loved ones and professionals. Get advice at Papyrus HopeLineUK on 0800 068 4141 or email [email protected].