Caroline Flack’s former roommate says the beloved star’s laugh was so loud it rang through their house.
Bernadette Battom recalls how Caroline took her first steps into showbusiness at 16, when the pair of them went to theatre school.
And she’s never forgotten the chuckles of her old friend, who took her own life just over a week ago.
Speaking to our sister paper the Sunday Mirror, Bernadette, 42, said: “She was so full of happiness, energy and drive.
“She was a bundle of confidence and always got picked for everything.
“We didn’t go out loads or party. Caroline knew where she wanted to go and was focused on that. She wasn’t the tidiest house mate but she was very popular. People were drawn to her.”
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Married mother of three Bernadette was stunned by the news of Caroline’s death.
She added: “If you told me back then that this was going to happen, I would never have believed it. It’s so upsetting.”
The pair trained in acting, singing and dancing at Bodywork Company theatre school, sharing a house in Cambridge with three other aspiring performers in 1996.
Our previously unpublished picture shows Caroline as a fresh-faced hopeful, smiling with her pals.
“We were all between 16 and 19 and we couldn’t believe we could live in this amazing place,” Bernadette said.
Despite being one of the youngest in class, Caroline’s talent stood out from the moment she performed Don’t Rain on My Parade, from the musical Funny Girl.
(Image: Collect)
Bernadette recalled: “That is a difficult song – but I was blown away. For her, performing was effortless. We called her the baby as she was so petite, so delicate.”
They lost touch after graduating in 1999. Three years later, Caroline got her break in
comedy Bo’ Selecta!, going on to host shows such as I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here. Now!
However, Bernadette was unaware of her pal’s huge success until 2011, when Caroline hosted The Xtra Factor on ITV2.
Now a Tesco worker and teaching assistant, Bernadette said: “I went, ‘Hang on, I know her.’
“You couldn’t resent her success because that was what she always wanted. I was pleased she made it.”
Former Love Island host Caroline was found dead at her flat in London on February 15.
An inquest opened at Poplar Coroner’s Court on Wednesday. She had been awaiting trial for allegedly assaulting boyfriend Lewis Burton, 27 – which she denied.
Caroline’s family last week shared an unpublished Instagram post in which the presenter said “my whole world and future was swept from under my feet” following her arrest.
The Metropolitan Police has referred itself to the police watchdog.
Bernadette, of Balsham, Cambridgeshire, is still coming to terms with Caroline’s death.
She said: “I was watching the coverage in the staff canteen just completely shocked. It’s so upsetting that she felt she had no other option but to end it all.”
You can contact the Samaritans by calling 116 123 or by visiting the official website.
