At last we’ll have a real memorial for Caroline
Flackstock festival will be fitting tribute to tragic TV star, say pals
EXCLUSIVE
BY CAROLINE Flack’s friends want Flackstock to be like her final sendoff after they missed out on a memorial for the star.
Natalie Pinkham, Leigh Francis and Dawn O’porter came up with the festival idea after grieving for the former Love Island host in lockdown.
Presenter Natalie said she wanted the festival to give Caroline’s mum Christine something “to focus on”.
Flackstock, which will be held on July 25, is set to celebrate the TV star’s life with music, comedy and dance while raising cash for mental health charities.
Stars such as Natalie Imbruglia, Fleur East and Louise Redknapp have all signed up to perform.
Comedians Noel Fielding, Paddy Mcguinness, Dermot O’leary and Joel Dommett will also feature on the lineup, alongside Strictly dancers Janette Manrara and Aljaz Skorjanec.
Natalie told Irish Sunday Mirror: “Caroline’s life was music, dance and comedy on repeat. That is all she lived for.
“The lockdown happened straight after she died. We had a funeral but we didn’t have a proper memorial.
“Her death has been hard to process and we had to do it on our own. It’s a coming together of all her friends and family.
“I still find it difficult to talk about her in the past tense.”
Caroline, 40, took her own life in February 2020.
Proceeds from Flackstock will be split between four charities that held a special place in her heart – Choose Love, Mind, Samaritans and Charlie Waller Trust.
Natalie, 44, told how she had been “bowled over” by the response to the festival, which will take place at the Englefield estate in Reading, Berks. She said: “Everyone we have asked has said yes. Every band playing is a mate of hers and they’ve said they will do it for nothing. I’m so emotional just at the thought of it.
“I really hope it is something for her mum to focus on but most importantly, it raises funds for mental health as well as being a fitting tribute to her.
“We have a moral duty to help everyone out there who is really struggling.”
Natalie also told how she turned to a bereavement counsellor to help her process her grief.
She said: “I can’t even put into words how incredible this woman is, but she has an incredible understanding of grief and psychology. She has helped me a lot and hopefully she will help others.” Natalie also praised last week’s BAFTA Awards for focusing on mental health. She said: “I feel like the BAFTAS has been a real tribute to mental health. There were a lot of awards given in honour of that and I feel like finally, we are able to go to uncomfortable places. That is vital to
make a difference.”
Caroline lived for music, dance and comedy NATALIE PINKHAM TV HOST AND STAR’S PAL