Love Island Sophie’s parents tell of their agony

PARENTS REQUEST FOR SOME PRIVACY FOLLOWING TRAGEDY

Such a beautiful soul...such a beautiful smile... thoughts and love with friends and family Caroline Flack

TRAGIC model Sophie Gradon’s parents have told of their agony as an inquest was opened into the death of the former Love Island contestant.

The ex-Miss Newcastle, who went on to be later crowned as Miss Great Britain in 2009, was found dead at the family home in Ponteland, Northumberland, last week.

Northumbria Police said there were not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of the 32-year-old former private school pupil.

And yesterday, an inquest was officially opened into her death by South Northumberland’s assistant coroner Trevor Carroll.

It was then adjourned to a date yet to be fixed.

At the hearing in North Shields, which lasted less than a minute, Mr Carroll said: “Following initial inquiries, it is appropriate to open an inquest into her death and also to adjourn that inquest at this stage, pending further inquiries in order to determine the cause of death.”

Sophie’s parents, Colin and Deborah Gradon, have said their “hearts are broken” following her death.

In a statement, the couple told of their agony following their daughter’s deathg.

They said: “It has been one week since we lost our precious daughter and we as a family are still coming to terms with our sudden loss. Our hearts are broken. “We wish to say our goodbyes to Sophie in private so we ask that you respect our family’s privacy during this arduous time.” Scores of tributes have been paid to Sophie, who appeared in the 2016 series of Love Island, including those from her former co-stars on the programme. Host Caroline Flack tweeted that she was “such a beautiful soul... such a beautiful smile... thoughts and love with friends and family @ sophiegradon.” And ITV said in a statement: “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.”