TOWIE star Gemma Collins has shared an emotional tribute to her former co-star and love interest Mick Norcross.
Yesterday (21 January 2021) it came to light that Mick had passed away aged 57 after he was found at his home.
Following the heartbreaking news, fans and stars of the show rushed to share their condolences including Gemma who shared a photo with Mick.
"ALWAYS A GENTLEMAN 💔absolutely shocked and saddened by the news💔.
"My thoughts and prayers are going out to Kirk's family and friends absolutely tragic #ripmicknorcross the memories of the early days, the Sugar Hut and the wonderful filming parties you put on will never be forgotten 💔".
She added, "You never know what someone is going through, you [were] one of the good guys 😞".
Fans of the ITVBe show will remember during the early TOWIE days that Gemma was very fond of Mick and even went to the extreme of making him an apple pie.
Gemma wasn't the only TOWIE star to pay their respect with Chloe Sims writing on her Instagram Story, "Absolutely gutted... @micknorcross forever a gentleman with the most gentle kind heart... Heartbreaking you felt you couldn't stay 💔You will always be missed xx".
Jess Wright wrote, "Terribly terribly sad. Always such a gentleman and so kind. Devastated for him and his family. Sending love to them at the time. RIP Mick 💔".
A look back at all the celebrities we lost in 2020
Celeb deaths 2020 - slider
1 of 12Silvio Horta
Ugly Betty creator Silvio Horta was found dead in January 2020, aged 45, by suspected suicide. Coroners confirmed cause of death was a "self inflicted gunshot wound".
2 of 12Christopher Beeny
Veteran British actor Christopher Beeny, best known for his roles in Last of the Summer Wine and Upstairs Downstairs, died "at home in his armchair" aged 78 in January.
3 of 12Bobbi Kristina Brown's ex-fiancé Nick Gordon
One time fiancé of troubled Bobby-Kristina Brown, Nick Gordon, died on New Year's Day 2020 after being rushed to hospital following "multiple heart attacks" during a suspected drugs overdose.
4 of 12Derek Acorah
Most Haunted's Derek Acorah, who once starred on Celebrity Big Brother, died in January aged 68 after contracting sepsis and falling into a coma.
5 of 12Kobe and Gianna Byrant
Kobe Byrant - basketball player for LA Lakers – and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were killed in a freak helicopter crash along with seven others in January. He was one of the most celebrated basketball players in the world.
6 of 12Kirk Douglas
Hollywood legend, Kirk Douglas dies aged of 103. His acting career spanned seven decades, but perhaps he is best know for his role in 1960 classic, Spartacus. He was father to Oscar winner, Michael Douglas.
7 of 12Caroline Flack
Love Island presenter Caroline Flack died aged 40 in February 2020 after sadly taking her own life. The former Strictly Come Dancing winner was engulfed in a media storm, after she was arrested and charged with alleged assault by beating her boyfriend Lewis Burton.
8 of 12Eddie Large
Comedy legend Eddie Large, best known as one half of Little and Large with Syd Little, sadly passed away aged 78 in March 2020 after contracting coronavirus in hospital. Little and Large formed in 1963 and won talent show Opportunity Knocks, going on to front a long-running BBC sketch show which attracted millions of viewers.
9 of 12Tim Brooke-Taylor
Comedian Tim Brooke-Taylor died at the age of 79 with coronavirus in April 2020. He best known as one third of the 1970s show The Goodies, and I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue.
10 of 12June Bernicoff
Gogglebox star June Bernicoff died at the age of 82 in May 2020 following a short illness. Channel 4 paid tribute in a statement, which read, "'As the first couple to be cast for Gogglebox back in 2013, June and her husband Leon were a huge part of the programme's success. Their warmth, wit and contrasting personalities endeared them to the nation during the course of the first 10 series."
11 of 12Little Richard
Rock'n'roll pioneer Little Richard died of bone cancer aged 87 in May 2020. Known for his hits Good Golly Miss Molly, Tutti Frutti and Long Tall Sally, the musician was credited as an influence by Elton John, Elvis Presley and The Beatles.
12 of 12Paula Tilbrook
Emmerdale star Paula Tilbrook - who played Betty Eagleton - sadly passed away aged 89. She starred on the show for 21 years.
Mario Falcone also said, "This one is very hard to accept. I had so much respect and admiration for this man. I had the honour of filming with him a lot on TOWIE and also to be good friends away from the show.
"When I went through my battle with depression and suicideyou were the only one from the whole show that reached out and cared about me. You were someone I looked up to and held in the highest regard. The thought of you going through the same pain and emotional darkness I did breaks my heart."
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He added, "You will be sorely missed by so many! Thank you for the many memories in the sugar hut, the wild parties, the advice and dropping me off to get my R8. The world has lost a very good man. RIP Mick Norcross ❤️".
Yesterday morning Mick shared a message on Twitter that said, "At the end remind yourself that you did the best you could. And that is good enough."
Essex police confirmed Mick's passing in a statement, "We were called to an address in Brentwood Road, Bulphan shortly before 3.15pm on Thursday 21 January.
"Sadly, a man inside was pronounced dead. His death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner," they told the Daily Star.
Our thoughts are with Mick's family and friends at this difficult time.