Sophie Gradon death: Love Island pays tribute to former star in latest episode

The news of the reality star's death was announced by her boyfriend

The former contestant's death was acknowledged on the reality show's latest episode (ITV)

Love Island paid a touching tribute to former contestant Sophie Gradon during Thursday night's episode - hours after it was announced the 32-year-old had passed away.

Before the cameras panned to the villas, a smiling photograph of Gradon was displayed on a black screen that read: “In loving memory of Sophie Gradon.”

The former contestant had made history on the dating show in 2016 when she became part of Love Island’s first same-sex couple.

Gradon’s death was announced by her boyfriend Aaron Armstrong, who referred to her as his “world” in a post shared on Facebook.

“I will never forget that smile I love you so so much baby you’re my world forever ever and always,” he wrote alongside a photo of the two of them.

The former beauty queen’s death was confirmed by a spokesperson from Northumbria Police, who said: “At about 8.27pm yesterday police attended a property in Medburn, Ponteland, where sadly a 32-year-old woman was found deceased.

Love Island acknowledged the passing of Gradon on the latest episode (ITV)

“There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.”

Following news the former reality TV star had passed away, tributes poured in from fellow contestants and fans of the show.

Katie Salmon, whom Gradon had dated during the show, shared a heartbreaking tribute on Twitter, in which she described her former girlfriend as “stunning” and “beautiful."

“The world has failed you beautiful,” she wrote.

The network that airs Love Island also paid tribute to Gradon in a statement which 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.”

A cause of death is currently unclear.