Shock and grief as Caroline Flack is found dead at 40
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 in her East London flat 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 last night confirmed the star – who had frequently discussed her struggles with anxiety – took her own life. A statement said: ‘We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today.’
ITV cancelled last night’s episode of Love Island as speculation mounted that the whole series may now be axed. The Mail on Sunday
‘She was petrified at the thought of going to jail’
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 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.
Ms Flack’s agent last night condemned the decision to press ahead. Francis Ridley, from Money Talent Management, said: ‘The CPS 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.’ 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.
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 simply 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.
Last night, some of Ms Flack’s friends said the current series of Love Island should be scrapped as a mark of respect, while Channel 4 said The Surjury, a forthcoming series she had already filmed, would now not be aired.
She had previously presented one series of X Factor with pop star Olly Murs, too.
Ms Flack’s death came just days after it was reported that she was writing a ‘self-help’ book, an experience that a friend said she had found ‘incredibly cathartic’.
Tributes poured in last night from fellow stars including Laura Whitmore, who replaced her as Love Island host. She tweeted: ‘I’m trying to find the words but I can’t.’
Davina McCall, former presenter of Big Brother, tweeted: ‘I’m so so sad .... I don’t even know what to say. But my heart goes out to her friends and family.’
An ITV spokesman 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.’
X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary posted on Instagram: ‘Just the worst news. Poor soul. Sending love to hers, and yours. Hold them tight tonight people. X Candles lit.’
TV and radio presenter Rylan Clark-Neal tweeted: ‘Gutted. So sad. Sleep well Flack x.’
Piers Morgan, said: ‘Caroline was a fun, bright & sparky person whose whole world collapsed recently, both professionally & personally. She told me it had been the worst time of her life, and was clearly struggling to cope with losing everything she held dear. This is such sad, awful news.’
In a joint message, Ant and Dec said: ‘We are both devastated. It is beyond sad. Beyond words’
Tess Daly, who presents Strictly, wrote: ‘Absolutely shocked and devastated at this tragic news.’
Ms Flack’s 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, Ms Flack had said ‘she will kill herself’.
The star had previously revealed she struggled more with her anxiety when she wasn’t working
In late 2018, her ex-fiance Andrew Brady called an ambulance to her house claiming she had threatened to kill herself.
If you are affected by this story, call the Samaritans 24-hour free helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org.