MIKE Thalassitis’s “secret girlfriend” Ellie O’Donnell shared a heartfelt tribute to the late star after visiting his restaurant The Skillet today.
The Love Island star took his own life at the age of 26 in March – just a month before his Essex eatery was completed.
And model Ellie, 21, said Mike would have been “so proud” of the finished product as she shared her heartbreak at Mike not being able to see it.
She wrote: “All those endless nights you spent here with [co-owner Scott Neilson] working on it, telling me to come over and help you paint. (Here’s a lil throw back video you sent to me).
“I wasn’t that much of a help but I’m glad I did, I never knew that would be a memory I’d cherish forever. ”
Ellie also admitted Mike blew her away with his interior design skills and reckoned he could have had a career in the industry.
She added: “I said to you I’m so amazed you designed it all you should be an interior designer and you laughed.
“You showed me those recipes on your phone, you explained them all to me so passionately I will never forget it, it replays everyday on my mind just seeing you talk about it & your eyes light up.
She also said Mike had fulfilled his promise of having “the best eggs benedict” she’d ever try, as well as sharing shared a sweet anecdote of how he decided on restaurant name The Skillet.
The Instagram sensation wrote: “I remember when we were watching tv & you told me about when you decided on the name The Skillet, and the next morning you turned on the tv and it was a cooking show, and she was talking about skillets, and you knew that was a sign from the universe that you made the right decision.
“I look for signs everyday from you and know you are here with us. I miss you every single day and not a day passes where I don’t think of you.
“@scotty_neils you really do deserve all the success with The Skillet and you should be so proud of yourself! Also guys- get yourselves down there, the food is UNREAL .”
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