Ferne McCann admitted her own run-ins with online trolls left her ‘feeling like how Caroline Flack felt’ is she demanded change on Sky News.
The star was asked about her experiences with becoming the target of online negativity, following the news that Caroline died by suicide on Saturday 15 February.
Originally appearing on the show to discuss pelvic floor exercises, the interview took a turn with mum-of-one Ferne getting emotional as she revealed her own issues with bullies.
‘I just find it too difficult to even talk about it,’ she said. ‘I feel so much sadness and anger and shock.’
She then added: ‘I know how she feels. Reading that statement really struck a chord with me and I want to send my condolences to her family.’
Former Towie star Ferne, 29, has been targeted by trolls over the course of her career as a reality star, but it got particularly bad in late 2017, following the horrific news that her boyfriend, Arthur Collins, had instigated an acid attack in an Essex nightclub.
The news took a particular hit on Ferne, who was pregnant at the time, and she was forced into the limelight by trolls as she helped police with their enquiries and despite having no involvement at all in the incident.
‘There’s so much negativity and it hurts,’ she said of the online vitriol. ‘We’re human. Just because we’re in the public eye doesn’t warrant you to send nasty comments.’
Speaking about how Caroline struggled to find a way out, Ferne added: ‘It’s horrendous. I know what it’s like to be in the eye of the storm. It’s not nice. I feel so much sadness about her.’
Caroline’s cause of death was confirmed today at an inquest hearing that lasted four minutes.
Her family have since released a statement in Caroline’s own words, uploading a statement she wanted to post online about an assault by battery charge made against her in December 2019, but was advised against making public.
Caroline’s mum has since been keen to add that the statement ‘wasn’t to point fingers’ at anyone.
Since Caroline’s death, urges for others to ‘be kind’ have come to the forefront, with a campaign from Pretty Little Thing raising £100,000 in just 24 hours.
TV shows the star has previously presented, including Love Island and The Brit Awards, have also been paying their respects.
After the news of Caroline’s sudden passing broke, dozens of former Islanders have spoken out to remember their time with her as the leading lady of the series.
Molly-Mae Hague, who reached the finals of last year’s series, is donating all profits from her clothing collection to a mental health charity in her memory.
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