Rugby player Danny Cipriani and his Gloucester teammates will pay tribute to Caroline Flack at their next Gallagher Premiership match.
The sports star, who has said he is “grieving hard” following the death of his ex-partner, will lead his teammates in wearing black armbands for Friday’s home game against the Sale Sharks.
The armbands will be embossed with the words “Be kind” to raise awareness of mental health issues.
Cipriani, 32, dated Flack – who took her own life at the age of 40 earlier this month – last year.
He said: “Caroline was one of the most caring, genuine people I ever met.
“She endured unimaginable criticism during her years in the public eye but through it all, she just wanted people to show a little kindness to each other. And that’s a message that should be her legacy – be kind.
“We all have spells of self-doubt, anxiety and low points. Nobody needs other people to point out their flaws and make them feel worse about themselves. A little kindness goes a long way.”
The Gloucester Rugby Foundation has also teamed up with the Samaritans to heighten the awareness around mental health.
They will donate £5 from every ticket purchased for Friday’s match to the Gloucester and District Samaritans.
The match tribute comes after Cipriani shared a message Flack had sent him about the court case she was facing before her death.
On Wednesday he posted a screenshot on Instagram of a recent WhatsApp exchange between the pair.
After Flack said she was “OK”, Cipriani asked: “Why you just OK? Want you smiling”.
The Love Island host replied: “Well, got court case coming up.”
Flack stepped down from presenting the winter series of the ITV2 dating show after an alleged assault on her boyfriend, Lewis Burton.
She pleaded not guilty and was released on bail but was ordered to stop having any contact with Mr Burton ahead of a trial, which was due to begin in March.
“She wasn’t allowed to talk to her boyfriend throughout the case because of the law. He wanted the charges dropped. They wanted to pursue. I am not pointing fingers,” Cipriani said.
“The CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) and police do a good job. Just saying we can’t always do a good job. This is my grieving process.”
Cipriani said Flack’s nickname for him was Black Dot and “she was kind beyond belief”.
He had previously told his fans he was going to play a voice note Flack “left about 15 days ago because people need to hear it”.
Flack’s management company have criticised the CPS for pursuing a “show trial” with the TV host’s assault charge.
Danny Cipriani – In pictures
1/33
Danny Cipriani of England during the RBS Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham on 2 February 2008
Getty Images
2/33
Danny Cipriani catches the ball during the Gloucester training session held at Kingsholm Stadium on 9 August 2018
Getty Images
3/33
Danny Cipriani leaving Bungalow 8 on a date with Kelly Brook in 2008
SplashNews.com
4/33
Danny Cipriani leaving Westminster Magistrates’ Court, London where he is on trial for drink driving in 2017
PA
5/33 2018
Danny Cipriani enjoying meal out with Gloucester teammates in Jersey
6/33 2018
Danny Cipriani of England passes the ball during the third test match between South Africa and England at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa
Getty Images
7/33 2018
Danny Cipriani carries a weight bag during the England training session at Kings Park Stadium in Durban, South Africa
Getty Images
8/33 2018
Danny Cipriani of Wasps runs with the ball during the Aviva Premiership match between Wasps and Saracens at The Ricoh Arena
Getty Images
9/33 2017
Danny Cipriani at his Leamington Spa home
Graham Chadwick/Daily Mail
10/33 2016
Danny Cipriani poses for a portrait during the Wasps squad photocall for the 2016-2017 Aviva Premiership Rugby season
Getty Images
11/33 2016
Danny Cipriani attending the ITV Gala at the London Palladium
PA
12/33 2015
Danny Cipriani of England goes over to score his try during the RBS Six Nations match between England and Italy at Twickenham Stadium
Getty Images
13/33 2014
Danny Cipriani interview with Sir Clive Woodward
Kevin Quigley/Daily Mail
14/33 2014
Danny Cipriani fronts an anti-fur campaign for Peta
SplashNews.com
15/33 2013
Kelly Brook and Danny Cipriani enjoy a dinner date in Mayfair.
SplashNews.com
16/33 2013
Danny Cipriani on the bench for a reserves match in Newcastle
Ian Hodgson/Daily Mail
17/33 2013
Danny Cipriani getting back to fitness by training in a boxing gym
Graham Chadwick/Daily Mail
18/33 2013
Kelly Brook shares a video with Danny Cipriani, r, who was hit by a bus following a pub crawl
Kelly Brook
19/33 2013
Kelly Brook and rugby player Danny Cipriani attend the JLS Foundation and Cancer Research UK fundraiser at Battersea Evolution
Getty Images
20/33 2011
Danny Cipriani of the Barbarians with the ball during the Barbarians Training Session at Latymer Upper Schoo
Getty Images
21/33 2011
Danny Cipriani playing for the Rebels of Australia runs down the field during their Super Rugby match against the Sharks of South Africa in Melbourne, Australia
AP
22/33 2010
Danny Cipriani of Wasps receives treatment to his hand during the Guinness Premiership match between Newcastle Falcons and London Wasps at Kingston Park
Getty Images
23/33 2009
Danny Cipriani with Kelly Brook leaving her first night in ‘Calendar Girls’ at the Noel Coward Theatre
SplashNews.com
24/33 2009
Danny Cipriani of Wasps passes the ball during London Wasps training at their training ground
Getty Images
25/33 2009
Danny Cipriani and Kelly Brook during the Emporio Armani Fall/Winter 2009/10 men’s collections during Milan Fashion Week
Reuters
26/33 2008
Danny Cipriani
Graham Jepson
27/33 2008
Rugby union footballer Danny Cipriani arrives at the premiere of “Hancock” at Leicester Square Vue Cinema
Getty Images
28/33 2008
Danny Cipriani of England slips up with a swear word on BBC1 following a 6 Nations match vs Ireland at Twickenham
29/33 2008
Danny Cipriani and Kelly Brook at a private after party and dinner for ‘Fat Pig’ at L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon
Dave Benett
30/33 2008
Danny Cipriani looks dejected during the England training session held at Pennyhill Park Hotel, Bagshot
Getty Images
31/33 2007
Danny Cipriani runs with the ball during the England training session held at Browns Sports Complex
Getty Images
32/33 2006
Danny Cipriani of London Wasps scores a try during their victory over Leicester Tigers in the final of the Coral Middlesex Sevens held at Twickenham Stadium
Getty Images
33/33 2005
Danny Cipriani of England in action during the U19’s Six Nations match between England and Italy at Castle Park
Getty Images
1/33
Danny Cipriani of England during the RBS Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham on 2 February 2008
Getty Images
2/33
Danny Cipriani catches the ball during the Gloucester training session held at Kingsholm Stadium on 9 August 2018
Getty Images
3/33
Danny Cipriani leaving Bungalow 8 on a date with Kelly Brook in 2008
SplashNews.com
4/33
Danny Cipriani leaving Westminster Magistrates’ Court, London where he is on trial for drink driving in 2017
PA
5/33 2018
Danny Cipriani enjoying meal out with Gloucester teammates in Jersey
6/33 2018
Danny Cipriani of England passes the ball during the third test match between South Africa and England at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa
Getty Images
7/33 2018
Danny Cipriani carries a weight bag during the England training session at Kings Park Stadium in Durban, South Africa
Getty Images
8/33 2018
Danny Cipriani of Wasps runs with the ball during the Aviva Premiership match between Wasps and Saracens at The Ricoh Arena
Getty Images
9/33 2017
Danny Cipriani at his Leamington Spa home
Graham Chadwick/Daily Mail
10/33 2016
Danny Cipriani poses for a portrait during the Wasps squad photocall for the 2016-2017 Aviva Premiership Rugby season
Getty Images
11/33 2016
Danny Cipriani attending the ITV Gala at the London Palladium
PA
12/33 2015
Danny Cipriani of England goes over to score his try during the RBS Six Nations match between England and Italy at Twickenham Stadium
Getty Images
13/33 2014
Danny Cipriani interview with Sir Clive Woodward
Kevin Quigley/Daily Mail
14/33 2014
Danny Cipriani fronts an anti-fur campaign for Peta
SplashNews.com
15/33 2013
Kelly Brook and Danny Cipriani enjoy a dinner date in Mayfair.
SplashNews.com
16/33 2013
Danny Cipriani on the bench for a reserves match in Newcastle
Ian Hodgson/Daily Mail
17/33 2013
Danny Cipriani getting back to fitness by training in a boxing gym
Graham Chadwick/Daily Mail
18/33 2013
Kelly Brook shares a video with Danny Cipriani, r, who was hit by a bus following a pub crawl
Kelly Brook
19/33 2013
Kelly Brook and rugby player Danny Cipriani attend the JLS Foundation and Cancer Research UK fundraiser at Battersea Evolution
Getty Images
20/33 2011
Danny Cipriani of the Barbarians with the ball during the Barbarians Training Session at Latymer Upper Schoo
Getty Images
21/33 2011
Danny Cipriani playing for the Rebels of Australia runs down the field during their Super Rugby match against the Sharks of South Africa in Melbourne, Australia
AP
22/33 2010
Danny Cipriani of Wasps receives treatment to his hand during the Guinness Premiership match between Newcastle Falcons and London Wasps at Kingston Park
Getty Images
23/33 2009
Danny Cipriani with Kelly Brook leaving her first night in ‘Calendar Girls’ at the Noel Coward Theatre
SplashNews.com
24/33 2009
Danny Cipriani of Wasps passes the ball during London Wasps training at their training ground
Getty Images
25/33 2009
Danny Cipriani and Kelly Brook during the Emporio Armani Fall/Winter 2009/10 men’s collections during Milan Fashion Week
Reuters
26/33 2008
Danny Cipriani
Graham Jepson
27/33 2008
Rugby union footballer Danny Cipriani arrives at the premiere of “Hancock” at Leicester Square Vue Cinema
Getty Images
28/33 2008
Danny Cipriani of England slips up with a swear word on BBC1 following a 6 Nations match vs Ireland at Twickenham
29/33 2008
Danny Cipriani and Kelly Brook at a private after party and dinner for ‘Fat Pig’ at L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon
Dave Benett
30/33 2008
Danny Cipriani looks dejected during the England training session held at Pennyhill Park Hotel, Bagshot
Getty Images
31/33 2007
Danny Cipriani runs with the ball during the England training session held at Browns Sports Complex
Getty Images
32/33 2006
Danny Cipriani of London Wasps scores a try during their victory over Leicester Tigers in the final of the Coral Middlesex Sevens held at Twickenham Stadium
Getty Images
33/33 2005
Danny Cipriani of England in action during the U19’s Six Nations match between England and Italy at Castle Park
Getty Images
The CPS later outlined how it reaches decisions over whether or not to charge someone with a criminal offence.
Hours after Cipriani’s post on social media, Flack’s friend, TV presenter and writer Dawn O’Porter, tweeted: “Can we all just agree that posting Caroline’s personal texts is a massive betrayal?
“Please consider that if for some reason you are thinking of doing it. She’d absolutely hate it.”
Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan also recently shared a private message sent to him by Flack regarding actress and former T4 host Jameela Jamil.
Morgan tweeted: “Jameela Jamil is having a lot to say about online harassment, so in the interests of balance, here is a message Caroline Flack sent me last October after the same Jameela Jamil led an online pile-on against her regarding a new TV show she was doing.”
The message appeared to show Flack saying “I’m struggling with Jameela.. The hate she aims at me.”
Flack’s message was thought to be referring to Jamil’s criticism of a Channel 4 programme she was part of called The Surjury, which featured people pitching ideas for their dream surgeries to convince a jury of peers and experts to approve their life-changing operations. Following Flack’s death, Channel 4 said it will no longer air the show.
Additional reporting by Press Association.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please contact the Samaritans on 116123 (free) or email jo@samaritans.org.