Love Island's Mike Thalassitis' Essex restaurant WILL open as planned following his death aged 26... as his business partner insists 'he would've wanted the place to be a success' By Ciara Farmer For Mailonline Published: 14:51 GMT, 23 March 2019 | Updated: 14:58 GMT, 23 March 2019 Viewcomments Late Love Island star Mike Thalassitis' Essex restaurant The Skillet will still be opened as planned, co-bosses confirmed on Instagram on Saturday. The star was found dead in a woodland near his Edmonton home last weekend aged 26 as it came to light that he was suffering depression and financial troubles. His business partner Scott Neilson took to the photosharing site to share a statement reading: 'Just to address all the speculation... Shock: Late Love Island star Mike Thalassitis' Essex restaurant The Skillet will still be opened as planned, co-bosses confirmed on Instagram on Saturday 'I would like to make it clear that we will be opening The Skillet when it is ready, it has been a tough week trying to continue to sort things out. 'However, Mike would've wanted this cafe to open, he spent everyday for the past couple of months working hard to make this place a success so we are pulling together to get this ready for everyone and especially for Mike. 'Can't wait to share it with you all, and I will announce the date of the opening shortly'. Shortly after his death, his devastated co-star Montana Brown vowed to help launch the cafe after his death, as she wrote: 'I will help open your cafe with Scott because you worked so hard on it so don't you worry!.. 'I can't imagine how much pain you must have been in to do this, and the fact that you went through this on your own breaks my heart... 'I'm so so sorry I couldn't do more to help you. I have so much love for you Mike and I will never forget you. Sleep tight darling and I miss you so much already.' Go ahead: His business partner Scott Neilson took to the photosharing site to share a statement Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility