Shock and grief for Caroline Flack, the hopeless romantic who never did find true happiness
TROUBLED former Love Island presenter Caroline Flack was found dead yesterday after taking her own life.
The 40-year-old star is understood to have been discovered by her father Ian.
Her death came less than three weeks before she was due to face trial for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend, Lewis Burton.
According to sources, she received official confirmation on Friday that the case would proceed.
A lawyer for the Flack family confirmed the star – who had frequently discussed her struggles with anxiety – took her own life and was found dead in her East London flat.
A statement said: ‘We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today, the 15th of February.’
ITV cancelled last night’s episode of Love Island as speculation mounted that the whole series may now be axed.
The Mail on Sunday understands that a producer friend of Ms Flack was staying with her, due to the concerns of those close to her.
The friend is thought to have gone to the shops, but could not get back in when she returned, so called Ms Flack’s father. They found her dead when they gained access.
Ms Flack had contacted the British attorney general in a bid to have the assault case stopped. The case had already led to her stepping down from the popular ITV2 show.
Friends said Flack, who denied the allegations, was ‘petrified’ at the thought she might go to jail.
In December, tennis coach Mr Burton, 27, accused her of hitting him with a lamp, before later backtracking on his claims. However, the Crown Prosecution Service proceeded with the case.
The death of Ms Flack, who won Strictly Come Dancing in 2014, came just a day after Mr Burton sent her a touching Valentine’s Day message on Instagram. It showed an image of them together and the words ‘Love You’ with a kiss emoji.
In return, Ms Flack – who appears in the forthcoming Steve Coogan film Greed – shared four glamorous snaps of herself with her French bulldog Ruby, captioning it with a heart emoji.
Under the terms of her bail, she had been banned from contacting Mr Burton. An application to waive the restrictions for Christmas and New Year was refused by a judge.
Tributes for the star poured in, led by Laura Whitmore, who replaced her as Love Island host, who tweeted: ‘I’m trying to find the words but I can’t.’
Other Irish celebrities also expressed their condolences.
Actor and writer Chris O’Dowd, who was a friend of Flack, wrote: ‘Caroline was so f ***** fun. She had the best cackle of a laugh. She deserved so much better. She’s gone far too soon. My heart goes out to her sister Jo and the family. You’ll be so missed darlin, by so many.
‘Might be an idea to ignore every inch of tabloid coverage of this horrible news. They profited from her life, they certainly don’t deserve to profit from her death.’
O’Dowd’s wife, the actress and comedian Dawn O’Porter said: ‘I’m broken.’ She later added: ‘We had so much fun. At some point I will find my words, and I will write the tribute she deserves. My dear friend. I’m lost.’
Author Marian Keyes said: ‘I feel so sorry for Caroline Flack and her evident suffering.’
Health Minister Simon Harris tweeted an image with the words: ‘You never know how long your words will stay in someone’s mind even long after you’ve forgotten you spoke them.’
In the accompanying message, Mr Harris wrote: ‘Something for the keyboard warriors and trolls to consider. Tonight it seems all the more important. Words matter. We can disagree. We can discuss. We can debate. We need not hurt and offend and bully.’
Eamonn Holmes tweeted: ‘Caroline Flack... Dear God. Shocked beyond belief. May she have found peace. #RIP Has to be repercussions for Love Island now surely?’
Dan Walker, who co-presents BBC Breakfast, said: ‘It must be heartbreaking for the family & friends of Caroline Flack to read tributes from some of those who hounded her. Our ‘cancel’ culture is brutal. We all have demons and flaws but we dehumanise each other & are then surprised when it all becomes too much for some.’
Meanwhile, an ITV spokeswoman said: ‘Everybody at Love Island and ITV is shocked and saddened by this desperately sad news. Caroline was a much-loved member of the Love Island team and our sincere thoughts and condolences are with her family and friends.’
Ms Flack’s professional and personal life crashed out of control in the early hours of December 12 when police were called to her flat in Islington, North London.
Officers described the blood-spattered scene as like ‘a horror movie’ and she was accused in court of inflicting a ‘significant’ head injury on Mr Burton.
During her first court appearance, the prosecutor said that after being cautioned by police Flack had said ‘she will kill herself’.
The star had previously revealed she struggled more with her anxiety when she had free time.
Speaking on Loose Women last year, she explained: ‘Doing live TV takes away anything else. Being on stage, I’m less nervous than just being me.’
you are affected by this story, contact the Samaritans 24-hour free helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, or visit www. samaritans.ie