Whitmore says friend’s death makes no sense

Laura Whitmore broke down as she recalled her “vivacious and loving” friend Caroline Flack in an emotional tribute on her Sunday radio show.

Whitmore, 34, who had known Flack for around 10 years and replaced her as host on Love Island, said of her death: “None of this makes sense.”

Opening her show on BBC Radio 5 Live Whitmore said she had been “debating whether I should, would or could come on air today”. Her voice cracking, she said: “Yesterday we lost someone before their time.

“We’re going to talk about her and give her the respect that she deserves and that she didn’t always get.”

Whitmore said: “Anyone who knew Caroline knew she was vivacious, loving, and had a passion for life, which is why none of this makes sense.”.

She criticised social media trolls and “newspapers who create click-bait, who demonise and tear down success. We’ve had enough.

“I’ve seen journalists and Twitter warriors talk about this tragedy and they themselves have twisted what the truth is. You don’t have to tear someone down to feel good about yourself.

“So to listeners, be kind, only you are responsible for how you treat others and what you put out in the world.”

Whitmore said she herself has “been harassed for just doing my job and...I want to use my platform to call people out because it’s gone too far”.

Laura Whitmore