The Only Way is Essexstar Harry Derbidge has paid tribute to his ex-boyfriend, Rhys Alan Smith, who has reportedly been found dead in Tenerife.
Smith made a brief appearance on the popular reality show after his relationship history with Derbidge was referenced and written into a storyline between Derbidge and Bobby Norris.
Derbidge commented on an Instagram post of one of Smith’s close friends, who was also paying tribute.
Holly Rose Williams wrote in a lengthy post alongside a photo of her and Smith, calling it “the most difficult moment of my life”.
“What am I supposed to do when the best part of me was always you! Falling to pieces,” she wrote.
“Rhys was so much more than just a best friend he was my soul mate. My heart is truly broken. I would give anything and everything to turn back the hands of time. I can’t imagine living the rest of my life without him in it.”
She continued: “An empty void will be left in all of the lives that were blessed enough to have the pleasure of meeting this very special man. Its still so very hard to believe this fate as reality. May god bless his beautiful soul! My rock my world my everything forever and always💖 I’ll never stop loving you besty.”
“I can’t believe this is real. Rhys was the [loveliest] person,” Derbidge wrote.
“Love you Holly you was his number 1,” Towie star and presenter Gemma Collins wrote. “We will never be the same without him.”
She also paid tribute on the last post on Smith’s own Instagram page, while James Argent wrote: “Love you mate.”
The cause of Smith’s death has not been disclosed to the public.
If you have been affected by this story, you can seek confidential support and advice from Samaritans by calling free on 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org.
