Tears and tributes for Caroline Flack after Love Island presenter is found dead in her flat
Stars and fans salute troubled broadcaster after sudden death months after being forced to stand down from her hit show
The biggest names in television led tributes last night after the sudden death of Love Island presenter Caroline Flack.
The 40- year- old broadcaster was found dead in her London home. Her family confirmed she had taken her own life.
Last night, fans and TV colleagues questioned the care given to the troubled presenter after she was forced to stand down from the show after being charged with assaulting her boyfriend.
Her death, the third connected with the ITV2 show, came after turbulent months when she had been charged with assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton dur ing a row in December. She later stepped down from presenting the winter series of the popular reality show.
News of the former Strictly Come Dancing champion’s death stunned the entertainment world.
Former Girls Aloud singer Cheryl, who worked with Ms Flack on ITV’S The X Factor, said: “My heart aches for her family and loved ones. I wish we could be more understanding and mindful of one another and what issues people may be struggling with beneath the surface.”
TV presenter and DJ Edith Bowman said: “I can’t quite believe what has happened. Such sad and tragic news.”
Strictly bosses said Ms Flack, who won the BBC show’s 12th series in 2014, “had an infectious energy and passion for dance”.
In a statement, they added: “The entire Strictly family are heartbroken. Caroline shone brightly in the ballroom every week and became an incredible champion. Words cannot express our sadness, she was simply one of a kind.”
Love Island, where housemates look for romance while sharing a holiday villa, has faced criticism after two former contestants, Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis, took their own lives in 2018 and 2019 respectively.
Ms Flack had been due to stand tr ial next month for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend Mr Burton. She had been replaced by Laura Whitmore on Love Island after fronting all five previous series of the popular programme, one of the most-watched reality shows in the
UK. But her career dramatically came to a halt after her arrest.
Her family issued a statement last night, which said: “We can confirm that our Caroline has passed away.” The family’s lawyer later confirmed that she had taken her own life.
The presenter had been due to return to court on March 4, after submitting a not guilty plea in
December. Former tennis player Mr Burton, 27, had begged for his partner not to be prosecuted after police were called to their London flat at 5.25am on December 14.
Ms Flack was reportedly left in need of hospital treatment after accidentally cutting herself on broken glass during the incident. During her previous court appearance, the prosecutor said that after
being cautioned Ms Flack said “I did it” and claimed she would kill herself. The court heard Burton had been asleep in the early hours of December 12 and had been hit over the head with a lamp.
Last night, Ms Flack’s management company criticised the Crown Prosecution Service ( CPS) for pressing ahead with what it called a “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.”
Asked about the criticism, the CPS said: “Our deepest sympathies go to the family and friends of Caroline Flack. Given the tragic circumstances, we will not comment on the specifics of this case at this stage.”
In recent weeks, Mr Burton has repeatedly denied that the couple had split and has defended her on social media.
Hours before her death, Mr Burton declared his love for her. Sharing a romantic picture of him and Ms Flack, 40, on a night out, he captioned the shot: “Happy Valentine’s. Love you.”
Last night, an episode of Love Island: Unseen Bits, the highlights show featuring Scots comedian Iain Stirling, was dropped from the schedule. ITV 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.”
Channel 4 has also said it will no longer air The Surjury, a new cosmetic surgery- based TV series which featured Ms Flack as host.
Former Love Island contestants Anton Danyluk and Laura Anderson last night took to social media. Anton, from Airdrie, said: “I am in absolute shock. Caroline was the loveliest, kindest and most professional person.”
Laura, from Stirling, said Ms Flack was “a beautiful, funny, talented woman with a lot of passion and heart.”