Sophie Gradon’s heartbroken sister pays an emotional tribute to the Love Island star [Details]

The heartbroken sister of Sophie Gradon has spoken out a day after it was announced she had passed away at the age of 32.

Charlotte Martin took to Instagram to share a childhood photo with Sophie, as she opened up about her grief.

Earlier on Friday, the Mirror revealed how Sophie’s body had been found by her boyfriend at her parents’ home while they were way on holiday.

Following the tragic news, Charlotte took to social media to pay tribute to her big sister.

“I love you so much,” she said. “You will never know how much I idolised you and the ground you walked on. Growing up I was always so immensely excited to see you and that never stopped.”

Charlotte continued: “I’d copy your outfits growing up just to be an ounce as cool as you and talk about you nonstop. You were everything I wanted to be and more, the most caring and hilarious person I knew.

“The beacon of any room you entered and I will remember your smile and laugh forever. My soapy soap suds.”

How Love Island cast were told of Sophie Gradon’s shock ‘suicide’

Love Island star Sophie died age 32 on Tuesday.

She was discovered by her boyfriend Aaron Armstrong at her mum and dad’s place in Medburn, Northumberland.

She had moved in temporarily to house sit for them while they enjoyed some time away.

But a friend said Sophie had given no sign of feeling depressed or down when she arrived, and appeared to be in “good spirits” despite having spoken out against online bullies just weeks before her death.

Her mum Debbie and her dad were told soon after Aaron found Sophie’s body and are “understandably devastated”, said the friend, especially as she had recently made changes in her life.

“Sophie had wanted to settle down and was growing sick of the party lifestyle,” they added.

The 32-year-old had been struggling with financial problems of late, said a mate, although she was careful not to give away anything about it in public.

She’d also been rocked by the death of good friend Paul Burns earlier this month and was at his funeral last Friday.

After the tragic news of her suspected suicide broke yesterday, Love Island dedicated Thursday’s episode to Sophie.

At the beginning of the episode, a smiling picture of Sophie flashed up on screens above words that read: “In loving memory of Sophie Gradon.”

A statement from the broadcaster 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.”

How Love Island cast were told of Sophie Gradon’s shock ‘suicide’

The current batch of Islanders were told about Sophie’s death after the latest recoupling, which will be shown on tonight’s show.

After one of the single girls left, the cameras were switched off and the remaining cast mates told to gather round to hear some shocking news.

It’s believed that Ellie Brown , who was a friend of Sophie’s from Newcastle, has decided to remain in the villa.

While the Islanders are supposed to go without contact with the outside world, they are given a day off each week to leave the villa and wander around the local town.

Producers would have been concerned that they may hear rumours or snippets of the news from locals, so may have taken the decision to tell them about Sophie to minimise any confusion or upset.