Tragic Sophie Gradon remembered on her birthday by Love Island pals Zara Holland and Katie Salmon four months after her tragic death
PALS of tragic Sophie Gradon have posted touching tributes to remember their friend on what would have been her 33rd birthday.
Fellow Love Island stars Zara Holland and Katie Salmon shared smiley snaps of Sophie to mark the day just four months after she tragically died.
Zara, 23, took to her Instagram to share the sweet tribute to her 309k followers.
The star posted two snaps of her and Sophie - who was also a former Miss GB - and wrote:
"Happy Birthday Baby Girl
" I think about you every day, love you so much. "
She added: "My thoughts are with your beautiful family today. X"
In the first picture the beauties sit side by side smiling at the camera.
And in the second - a selfie - they pull funny faces as Sophie jokingly touches Zara's chest.
The girls met on 2016 Love Island but continued to stay friends after the show.
They even exclusively spoke to The Sun together about dealing with trolls after starring on the hit show.
Many fans were quick to comment on the touching tribute.
One wrote: "A beautiful soul was put to rest and may she be at peace."
While another said: "I still can't believe that Sophie is not here to celebrate her Birthday. The Angels will be surrounding you with love today."
And Sophie's former co-star and partner on the hit show - Katie Salmon - also took to her Instagram to commemorate the star.
She wrote: "Happy Birthday beautiful. I hope wherever you are you're at peace and celebrating wavy.
"Sending all my love today."
Former Love Islander Rachel Fenton also sent her well-wishes to the tragic star.
The nurse uploaded a stunning shot of the star smiling and wrote the simple caption:
"Happy birthday Soph <3 so missed"
Fellow Geordie Chantelle Connelly shared a pic of the brunette beauty and wrote:
"Happy birthday to this beautiful lady @sophiegradon shine bright like a diamond and dance with the stars."
Sophie was found dead at her parents' home near Newcastle in June aged just 32-years-old.
Sophie had seemed “happier than ever” to pals — but was secretly battling mental health problems.
The former beauty queen, who starred in the 2016 series, appeared to have overcome a previous bout of depression.
But she hid her demons from all but her closest circle — and was also left devastated by the recent death of a close friend.
One friend told The Sun at the time: “We all thought Sophie was the happiest she had ever been.
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“She had suffered from depression and anxiety and there was talk of financial issues which obviously adds to the worry she was enduring.
“Her friends thought she was in a great place as she was madly in love with her boyfriend and life was good.
“However a good friend died and it affected her very badly.
“She struggled to cope with it and fell into a dark place.”
Tragically her boyfriend Aaron Armstrong, 25, who discovered Sophie's body, was killed himself just weeks after her death.
Aaron was found dead just hours after posting a heart-wrenching tribute on Instagram to tragic Sophie.
He wrote next to a to a photo of her: "Just wish I could cuddle you all day."
"[I] miss you so much man Sophie not a minute goes by with out your gorgeous smile being a picture in my mind everyday we spent together was so amazing I need them days back. I love you princess"
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