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Caroline Flack's turbulent life and shock death by suicide at 40


Caroline Flack was the Love Island presenter who had a meteoric rise to fame, but lost her dream job just months before she was found dead aged 40.

The star first rose to prominence as a CBBC presenter in the mid 2000s, before landing a job as the host of The Xtra Factor in 2011.

After being crowned Strictly Come Dancing champion in 2014, Caroline landed the ultimate job as Love Island’s host in 2015, but stepped down late last year after she was arrested for assault.

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Career: Caroline Flack was the Love Island presenter who had a meteoric rise to fame, but lost her dream job just months before she was found dead aged 40

Career: Caroline Flack was the Love Island presenter who had a meteoric rise to fame, but lost her dream job just months before she was found dead aged 40

Caroline grew up in Great Hockham near Norwich with her twin sister Jody, and gained a place at a Cambridge stage school aged just 16. 

She first rose to fame in the mid 2000s when she appeared on the CBBC series TMI with Sam Nixon and Mark Rhodes, and in 2008 took over from Kirsty Gallacher as the host of Gladiators. 

In 2009 the star landed the job as the host of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here Now! and in 2011 she joined forces with Olly Murs as the host of The Xtra Factor in replacement of Konnie Huq.

The pair took over as The X Factor’s main hosts in 2015, but were replaced by the returning Dermot O’ Leary following a mixed reaction from viewers.

The following year Caroline said she had learnt to ignore her detractors, telling The Sun: ‘Not everyone is going to like you so you have to filter it.’

Family: Caroline grew up in Great Hockham near Norwich with her twin sister Jody, and gained a place at a Cambridge stage school aged just 16 (pictured in a snap the star posted)

Family: Caroline grew up in Great Hockham near Norwich with her twin sister Jody, and gained a place at a Cambridge stage school aged just 16 (pictured in a snap the star posted)

TV star: She first rose to fame in the mid 2000s when she hosted the CBBC series TMI, and in 2008 (pictured) took over from Kirsty Gallacher as the host of Gladiators

TV star: She first rose to fame in the mid 2000s when she hosted the CBBC series TMI, and in 2008 (pictured) took over from Kirsty Gallacher as the host of Gladiators

Dynamic duo: In 2011 she took over as host of The Xtra Factor alongside Olly Murs (above in 2012) and they went onto present the main show in 2015

Dynamic duo: In 2011 she took over as host of The Xtra Factor alongside Olly Murs (above in 2012) and they went onto present the main show in 2015

Caroline went onto earn a whole new army of fans when she was crowned the winner of Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 alongside professional partner Pasha Kovalev.

Four years later, she talked about the difficulties she faced after lifting the Glitterball Trophy, telling The Sun that she felt as though her body was ‘covered’ in ‘clingfilm’ the morning after her dancefloor triumph, adding that she felt ‘ridiculous’ feeling so low.

She added: ‘I couldn’t get up and just couldn’t pick myself up at all that next year.’

In March 2019, Caroline took part in an episode of Channel 4’s charity show The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer alongside other celebrities including journalist Krishnan Guru-Murthy, actor Greg Wise and boxer Nicola Adams.

Out: Caroline and Olly only hosted The X Factor for one series, but they were replaced by Dermot O'Leary after earning a mixed reaction from viewers

Out: Caroline and Olly only hosted The X Factor for one series, but they were replaced by Dermot O’Leary after earning a mixed reaction from viewers

CAROLINE FLACK: A CALL FOR HELP?

 

Caroline Flack spoke often about her struggles, both in interviews and on social media. 

Caroline said, following her Strictly success: ‘Fame doesn’t make you happy’

STRICTLY CURSE? 

The Strictly Come Dancing 2014 winner has said that she felt depressed following her victory on the BBC show.

After she won the series along with professional partner Pasha Kovalev, she admitted that she felt like she was ‘being held together by a piece of string which could snap at any time’.

In an unearthed interview cited by the Daily Star following her death, Caroline claimed that, ‘It all started the day after I won Strictly. I woke up and felt like somebody had covered my body in clingfilm. I couldn’t get up and just couldn’t pick myself up at all that next year.’

She went on: ‘People see the celebrity lifestyle and assume everything is perfect, but we’re just like everyone else. Everyone is battling something emotional behind closed doors – that’s life.

Ignored? 'When I actually reached out to someone they said I was draining,' Caroline admitted in October 2019

Ignored? ‘When I actually reached out to someone they said I was draining,’ Caroline admitted in October 2019

‘Fame doesn’t make you happy.’

‘BEING A BURDEN IS MY BIGGEST FEAR’

In an Instagram post she uploaded on 14  October 2019 – to mark World Mental Health Day – Caroline captioned a photo of herself: ‘Some days it’s hard to write your feelings of your not in the right place.

‘The last few weeks I’ve been in a really weird place… I find it hard to talk about it… I guess it’s anxiety and pressure of life… and when I actually reached out to someone they said I was draining.

‘I feel like this is why some people keep their emotions to themselves. I certainly hate talking about my feelings. And being a burden is my biggest fear…

‘I’m lucky to be able to pick myself up when things feel s**t. But what happens if someone can’t. Be nice to people. You never know what’s going on. Ever.’ [sic] 

SOCIAL SILENCE

Signs of suicide? She liked tweets about calling The Samaritans over Christmas

Signs of suicide? She liked tweets about calling The Samaritans over Christmas 

Caroline was told to stay off social media following her assault charge in December 2019.

However, she notably liked a string of tweets in the days afterwards, before Christmas, encouraging those feeling lonely over the holidays to seek help.

The tweets – posted by the likes of actress Sheridan Smith, journalist Stacey Dooley and comedian Luke Kempner – included the telephone number for The Samaritans’ suicide hotline.

She also posted to Instagram around the same time: ‘This kind of scrutiny and speculation is a lot to take on for one person to take on their own… I’m a human being at the end of the day and I’m not going to be silenced when I have a story to tell and a life to keep going with…

‘I’m taking some time out to get feeling better and learn some lessons from situations I’ve got myself into to. I have nothing but love to give and best wishes for everyone.’

SELF-HELP?

It was reported that Caroline had decided to write a book, during her recent time off.

‘Caroline has found the process incredibly cathartic,’ one of her friends told the Mail. ‘She wants it to be more than just a story about her. She wants to talk about the problems she’s encountered and how she’s overcome them.

‘She hopes to be able to help others who may be going through similar difficulties. Part self-help, part memoir is the style that Caroline is looking for.’

Caroline made her West End stage debut playing Roxie Hart in Chicago in 2018 having previously appeared on stage in a touring version of Crazy For You.

In 2015, she released an autobiography called Storm In A C Cup.

Aside from her career, Caroline’s love life has made headlines over the years thanks to romances with the likes of Harry Styles and Prince Harry.

In 2011, she was linked to One Direction star Harry, who had been on The X Factor the previous year, when he was 17 and she was 31.

In her autobiography, Caroline went into detail about how she met Prince Harry on a night out in 2009 through mutual friend Natalie Pinkham after she had split with a boyfriend.

She said they ‘spent the evening chatting and laughing’, but ‘once the story got out, that was it. We had to stop seeing each other.

‘I was no longer Caroline Flack, TV presenter, I was Caroline Flack, Prince Harry’s bit of rough.’

Riding high: Caroline earned a new army of fans when she was crowned the winner of Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 alongside professional partner Pasha Kovalev

Riding high: Caroline earned a new army of fans when she was crowned the winner of Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 alongside professional partner Pasha Kovalev

Caroline became engaged to former Apprentice and Celebrity Big Brother star Andrew Brady in April 2018, but the pair split a few months later.

Most recently Caroline had been in a relationship with former tennis player Lewis Burton, and in December last year, Flack denied assaulting him in an incident that left them both covered in blood.

The incident also led Caroline to step down as host of the winter series of Love Island, and she was replaced by close friend Laura Whitmore.

Caeriljuneas accused of hitting Burton, 27, over the head with a lamp, causing a head injury.

But former professional tennis player and model Burton said he did not support the prosecution and insisted he was not a victim.

CAROLINE FLACK’S TURBULENT LOVE LIFE

Prince Harry, aged 34

Short fling? Caroline revealed she was introduced to Prince Harry by their mutual friend Natalie Pinkham in 2009

Close: Caroline candidly admitted she nearly slept with Olly Murs when they presented The Xtra Factor together in 2011

  • Caroline revealed she was introduced to Prince Harry by their mutual friend Natalie Pinkham, a Formula One correspondent for Sky Sports
  • Sparks flew when the pair enjoyed a night out a decade ago in 2009, shortly after Caroline had split from another ex
  • She later penned in her book: ‘Once the story got out, that was it. We had to stop seeing each other
  • ‘I was no longer Caroline Flack, TV presenter. I was Caroline Flack, Prince Harry’s bit of rough’ 

 

Olly Murs, aged 35

  • Caroline candidly admitted she nearly slept with Olly when they presented The Xtra Factor together in 2011
  • They shared a kiss as they toasted her Cosmopolitan Ultimate Women Award with a private moment in the photobooth in November 2015
  • The pair’s on-screen chemistry was all everyone could talk about when they hosted The Xtra Factor together from 2011 until 2012
  • Rumours were swirling the pair were in the throes of love as they hosted The X Factor together in 2015 for a year 

Former lover: Back in 2011, Caroline was 31 when she started romancing 17-year-old Harry Styles

   Harry Styles, aged 25

  • Back in 2011, Caroline was 31 when she started romancing 17-year-old Harry
  • The television host admitted she knew the singer had a crush on her before she pursued a romance with the heartthrob 
  • She said of their brief fling in The Sun on Sunday: ‘I already knew that he had a crush on me, he’s made it pretty obvious as he’s said it in magazines. I’ve never felt I was much older than Harry. I still feel 18 and I probably act that way half the time’ 

 

Short-lived: The Love Island host caught music manager Jack Street’s eye when he was only 26 years old

Wedding bells: Caroline and Andrew Brady got engaged in April 2018 before calling it quits later that year

 

 Jack Street, aged 31 

  • The Love Island host caught Jack’s eye when he was 26 years old
  • Caroline and Jack’s love story goes back until 2014 and the couple dated happily for 18 months before their abrupt split.
  • They briefly rekindled the flames of their love in 2015 but the damage couldn’t be repaired and they went their separate ways for good

 

 

 

 

Andrew Brady, aged 28 

Smooch: In January, Caroline and Strictly dancer AJ Pritchard were pictured looking extremely cosy with during the National Television Awards' after-party

Smooch: In January, Caroline and Strictly dancer AJ Pritchard were pictured looking extremely cosy with during the National Television Awards’ after-party

  • Caroline was 38 while Andrew was 27 when they first started dating
  • The Love Island personality and the Apprentice star had a rocky on/off romance which had a heartbreaking end for the pair of them
  • The couple got engaged in April 2018 after just a few weeks of dating but they separated from each other a numerous times last year
  • Now Andrew has jetted off to Australia on a one-way ticket to get a fresh start in 2019 after they finally called it quits on their romance forever
  • Caroline got rid of the final traces of her ex as she proudly showed off she had his initials ‘AB’ erased from her wrist   

     

 

 AJ Pritchard, aged 24 

  • In January, Caroline and the Strictly dancer were pictured looking extremely cosy with during the National Television Awards’ after-party 
  • Insiders at the bash claimed the duo moved around for some privacy before they were spotted in the alleged clinch behind the scenes 
  • The pair, who reportedly snogged during the star-studded bash at London’s O2 Arena, denied rumours of a romance despite their close display 
Hunk: The presenter is said to have dated Danny Cipriani for around eight weeks earlier this year

Hunk: The presenter is said to have dated Danny Cipriani for around eight weeks earlier this year

 

Danny Cipriani, aged 31

  • The presenter is said to have dated the sportsman, 31, for around eight weeks earlier this year
  • They were were seen kissing after a two-night hotel stay back in April, but ended things shortly after as sources say Caroline feared there was no long-term future
  • An insider previously said: ‘Caroline and Danny had a lot of fun together and she’s very fond of him – but long-term it wasn’t going to work’
  • ‘They’ve decided to end it and stay friends. Caroline has a busy summer ahead of her and is already moving on by dating other people 

   

Lewis Burton, aged 36

Love Island host Caroline Flack pictured with Lewis Burton

Love Island host Caroline Flack pictured with Lewis Burton

  • The tennis player and actor is said to have started dating Caroline Flack in July last year
  • A restraining order prevented the pair from contacting each other. It was made after Flack was accused of hitting Burton over the head with a lamp at her former home in Islington
  • He posted a Valentines message yesterday saying he loved her and last night he is understood to be flying back from a skiing holiday
  • The pair have been pictured on numerous nights out and holidays since going public about their relationship in August 2019
  • Flack was spotted being furious with Lewis on a trip to Ibiza in October 2019 

He spoke out in defence of Flack, saying she has become the subject of a ‘witch hunt’ following her arrest.

Caroline took her own life after a worried friend who was staying with her went to the shops, leaving the ex-Love Island presenter alone at her London flat.

According to The Mail On Sunday, it came just hours after she was told she would face trial for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton. 

Her management have slammed the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for pursuing the ‘show trial’ after Lewis said he did not want to press charges. 

Tragedy: Caroline took her own life after a worried friend who was staying with her went to the shops, leaving the ex-Love Island presenter alone at her London flat

Tragedy: Caroline took her own life after a worried friend who was staying with her went to the shops, leaving the ex-Love Island presenter alone at her London flat

He had said she hit him with a lamp at her former home in Islington in December before asking the CPS not to press charges.

Caroline had been described by friends as feeling ‘she was on her own’ and ‘couldn’t see a way out,’ according to The Mirror

It was also understood she had been struggling with her mental health and using anti-depressants before her death.

The TV presenter’s death was confirmed by a lawyer for the family. The Flack family said in a statement: ‘We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today on the 15th February. We would ask that the press respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time.’

A worried producer friend had been staying with the star but found she couldn’t get back into her flat after returning from the shops, a source said. She called Caroline’s father Ian who gained entry to the flat where he found the star’s body. 

Love Island also released a statement, they 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.’ 

Controversy: Her management have slammed the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for pursuing the 'show trial' after Lewis said he did not want to press charges

Controversy: Her management have slammed the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for pursuing the ‘show trial’ after Lewis said he did not want to press charges

Following Caroline’s death, many fans have taken to social media to demand that Love Island be axed, after she became the third person associated with the show to take their own life.

Former contestants Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon, took their own lives in March 2019 and June 2018.

Among fans calling the show out was This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes who paid tribute to Caroline while insisting there needs to be ‘repercussions.’

He wrote on Twitter: ‘Caroline Flack …. Dear God. Shocked beyond belief. May she have found peace. #Rip Has to be repercussions for Love Island now surely?’ which garnered more than 27K likes. 

Eamonn later added: ‘Meaning out of respect, can the series continue?’ (sic)

A CPS spokesperson issued a statement, they 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.’

If you have been affected by this story, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org 



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