YouTuber Zoe Sugg – known online as Zoella – has urged fans to ‘tread carefully’ on social media after the death of Love Island star Mike Thalassitis.
The 28-year-old reposted a note from fellow vlogger and podcaster Rosie Ramsey, adding: ‘You really don’t know what someone is going through, so tread carefully and thoughtfully when using social media.’
Rosie had penned a heartfelt message about the Love Island star, writing: ‘The recent loss of Mike Thalassitis is a sad and tragic one. As are all deaths via suicide.
‘I didn’t know him at all, and I’m only posting this as I believe that this is a lesson to us all. I’m not even sure why he took his own life. Maybe the pressure of being thrown into the public eye without warning?
‘Maybe personal problems no one knew about? Maybe an onslaught of abuse from the public via social media?’
Rosie goes on to point out that reality TV stars can see the messages they receive on social media, adding: ‘They don’t have bullet proof skin. They have feelings. They are sons and daughters. Someone’s brother or sister.’
She finished the message by urging her followers to be kinder online.
‘If you wouldn’t drive up to their door, give it a knock and say it to their face, how about not saying it at all?’ she suggested.
Zoe’s and Rosie’s messages follow a similar sentiment from actress Sheridan Smith, who called Mike’s death a ‘massive wake up call’.
‘This should be a massive wake-up call, I feel sick, reach out, sometimes to the most confident friend. We can only learn and try to change,’ she wrote.
Mike was confirmed dead on Saturday at age 26, with it later being ruled as a suicide.
He rose to fame on the 2017 series of Love Island, alongside stars like Kem Cetinay, Amber Davies, and Chris Hughes.
Tributes have been pouring in for him, including an emotional message from co-star Montana Brown.
‘I just wish people had a tiny glimpse of what the real you was like,’ she wrote.
‘You sent me a Christmas card in the post this year, you checked up on me everyday at the beginning of this year when I was struggling myself, you really were the kindest, sweetest person and I am so devastated and crushed that I’ll never get to see you again.’
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MORE: Caroline Flack pays late-night tribute to Mike Thalassitis after police confirm suicide