Love Island team left devastated by tragic death of Caroline Flack

Dating show did not air last night as mark of respect to former presenter

The team behind popular TV dating show Love Island have said they are “absolutely devastated” by the death of former presenter Caroline Flack.

As a mark of respect, last night’s episode did not air, but the current series will continue.

Flack was found dead at the age of 40 at her home in east London on Saturday, after taking her own life.

Saturday night’s highlights edition of the ITV2 programme was pulled, and there had been speculation about whether the rest of the series would air.

It has now been confirmed that Love Island will be back tomorrow, with a tribute to Flack.

An ITV spokesperson said yesterday: “Many people at ITV knew Caroline well and held her in great affection.

“All of us are absolutely devastated at this tragic news.

“After careful consultation between Caroline’s representatives and the Love Island production team – and given how close we still are to the news of Caroline’s tragic death – we have decided not to broadcast tonight’s Love Island out of respect for Caroline’s family.

“Love Island will return tomorrow night which will include a tribute to Caroline who will be forever in our hearts.”

Flack’s family confirmed that she died on Saturday, adding in a statement: “We would ask that the press respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time and we would ask they make no attempt to contact us or photograph us.”

The shock news prompted a flood of tributes from celebrities but also questions about the decision to press ahead with prosecuting Flack for her alleged assault on boyfriend Lewis Burton, as well as the pressures faced by TV celebrities from the press and social media.

Flack, who was described as “vulnerable” by her management, stepped down from presenting the current winter series of Love Island after she was alleged to have assaulted Burton at her then flat in Islington, north London, in December.

She entered a not guilty plea to the assault charge at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court and was released on bail, with conditions that stopped her having contact with her boyfriend ahead of a trial in March.

In a statement released on Saturday night, her management company criticised the Crown Prosecution

Service (CPS) for pressing ahead with what it called her “show trial” even after her boyfriend said he did not support it.

Francis Ridley, of Money Talent Management, said: “In recent months Caroline had been under huge pressure because of an ongoing case and potential trial which has been well reported.

“The Crown Prosecution Service pursued this when they knew not only how very vulnerable Caroline was but also that the alleged victim did not support the prosecution and had disputed the CPS version of events.

“The CPS should look at themselves today and how they pursued a show trial that was not only without merit but not in the public interest.

“And ultimately resulted in significant distress to Caroline.”

Talent agent Jonathan Shalit told BBC Radio 5’s Stephen Nolan that Flack received “more negative press than a terrorist or a paedophile” over the trial.

“These people might be famous, but they’re still vulnerable individuals,” Mr Shalit added.

Picture: Shutterstock. Caroline Flack.