The family of a late reality TV star has closed down the fundraising page used to help raise money for the funeral.

Mike Thalassitis, who shot to fame by appearing on ITV2’s Love Island in 2017, was found hanged in a park in Edmonton on Saturday, March 16.

The 26-year-old was due to open a restaurant, Skillet, on High Road, Loughton shortly before he died.

On Sunday, March 24, an update posted on the GoFundMe page which had managed to raise over £4,500.

The status read: "Thank you all for your generous donations thus far. I have spoken with Mike’s family and while they are grateful for all of the support his friends have given, they have asked to close the Gofundme at this time.

"Please be assured the money raised to date will go directly to the family who intend to open a new page controlled by themselves in due course. All proceeds will then be consolidated and donated to a mental health charity of their choice.

"While this particular page was created by his close friends, they are concerned that fraudulent accounts could be activated by strangers using their name.

“Therefore, please do not donate to any other pages until an official statement has been made by the immediate Thalassitis family within the next week or so.

"Thank you again for all of your support during this difficult time. Help spread the word.”

Several co-stars and friends from Love Island took to social media to pay tribute to him and raise the awareness of men’s mental health.

On Friday, March 22, friends and family of Mr Thalassitis gathered for a vigil in the woodland where his body was found.