Love Island star Zara Holland has paid tribute to Sophie Gradon, eight months after her sudden death.
The former beauty queen was just 32 when she was found dead at her parents’ house on June 22, 2018 – and it’s since been reported that she took her own life.
Eight months after her death, her Love Island co-star Zara retweeted a clip of Sophie’s inspiring speech about female empowerment, which she delivered during the 2016 series of the show.
Zara wrote: “Just came across this on my twitter… We will always remember you Sophie, your incredible, and just wish you where here. We all love you & miss you so so much. I think about you and your family everyday x.”
Just came across this on my twitter.. We will always remember you Sophie, your incredible, and just wish you where here. We all love you & miss you so so much. I think about you and your family everyday x https://t.co/LbO0usY7tu
— Zara Holland (@zaraholland11) February 18, 2019
In her speech, Sophie had defended Zara, who was stripped of her Miss Great Britain title after sleeping with Alex Bowen on the show.
She said: “Life shouldn’t be about judging one another. For example, judging a young woman for enjoying herself.
“A young woman who hasn’t harmed anyone but a woman who has faced a torrent of judgemental and close minded opinions since leaving Love Island.
“As an ex Miss Newcastle and Miss GB I can say that it’s time people moved forward from their old fashioned thinking and accepted the simple fact that women like to have sex.”
