Room To Improve’s Michael Stokes passes away after ‘tragic accident’

A teenager who captured the hearts of the nation on Room to Improve has passed away after an accident.

15-year-old Michael Stokes featured on one of the home improvement show's earlier series, where he appeared alongside his former teacher Ann Higgins and her husband Barry. The episode saw Dermot Bannon try to redesign the couple's Malahide home to make it more wheelchair-friendly for Michael. The teenager visited Malahide for some short breaks away from residential accommodation. He later ended up moving in with Ann and Barry full time, and they became his foster parents. He appeared on The Late Late Show earlier this year, where he told Ryan Tubridy all about his new home. He said at the time:

“I knew Ann because she was my teacher and I met Barry at my communion party. I have my own bed, I have my own desk. I love everything, everything is at my level.”

Sadly, it was confirmed on Monday that Michael had passed away over the weekend after a "tragic accident". Tributes have been paid to the "remarkable" young man on social media. https://www.instagram.com/p/BifSuHcgHzq/?taken-by=seangilliganperformingarts Sean Gilligan Performing Arts said:

"Yesterday we learned the very sad news that our student Michael Stokes had passed away after a tragic accident. Michael was a student in our Swords class and prior to that in Artane, so was known and loved by every student, teacher and everyone else who came in contact with him in SGPA. "One of the most remarkable things about Michael was his positive attitude to life. He was a ray of sunshine, had a wicked sense of humour and a constant smile on his face."

https://twitter.com/StMichaelsHouse/status/993576911468101635?tfw_site=Evoke&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fevoke.ie%2F2018%2F05%2F08%2Fnews%2Firish-news%2Froom-to-improve-michael-stokes-tributes St Michael's House said on Twitter:

"We are very sad to give Michael Stokes to the angels this weekend. He was a treasure to all who knew him."

Ryan Tubridy added his own tribute to the "magic whirlwind" on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/Big2mJcnooi/?taken-by=instatubridy He wrote:

"I post this with a heavy heart as the magic whirlwind, Michael Stokes, died on Saturday aged 15. "He was an unforgettable soul and we are all so sad today. Thinking of Ann, Barry and all Michael’s family and friends. "The world is that bit diminished without him."