Joe Swash found it ‘tough’ to continue rehearsing for Dancing On Ice following the death of his close friend, the presenter Caroline Flack.
The Love Island star, 40, was found dead at her home in east London on Saturday.
After posting a tearful tribute on social media during the day Sunday, Joe used his time on Dancing On Ice to remember his friend and send a message of support to her family.
Joe’s performance on the skating competition was set to Candy by Robbie Williams, and he and professional partner Alexandra Schauman used a giant stick of candy as their prop.
Having received his scores from the judges, the 38-year-old said: ‘It’s been a really tough day.’
Alex said: ‘It’s been a long day. This was really hard to get through today and do a happy number when he feels the way that he feels. So I’m so proud of him.’
Host Phillip Schofield added: ‘We’ve got to point out to everybody that you were very very close to Caroline Flack. She’d be so proud of you.’
‘I just want to send my love to her family and my condolences you know,’ Joe said before the show continued.
At the beginning of the episode, the This Morning presenter fought back tears as he remembered the Strictly Come Dancing star.
Having worked together at ITV for many years, Holly and Phil knew Caroline well and opened Sunday’s Dancing on Ice with an emotional speech about the 40-year-old presenter.
‘We’d like to begin tonight’s show by taking a moment to remember Caroline Flack,’ Phil said.
‘In light of yesterday’s awful news we wanted to say that our hearts go out to her family and friends,’ he added, becoming tearful and struggling to speak.
Holly continued: ‘Many of us here on the show knew Caroline as a friend and will all miss her enormously. As Caroline herself recently posted, in a world where you can be anything, be kind.’
Joe and the TV host grew close when they presented I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here’s spin-off show together.
He told his followers: ‘I want to send a message to everyone and let everyone know that Caroline Flack was the most amazing person you could ever come across. She was funny, super talented, and she had the most infectious laugh.
‘I wish that she could have asked for help because there’s so many people that love her and I am going to miss her so much. We can’t let this happen, we can’t let this happen to anyone else.’
Caroline’s death came 18 days before she was due to face trial after being charged with assault following an alleged row with boyfriend Lewis Burton. She denied the charge.
Former Love Island stars and celebrities including Olly Murs, Laura Whitmore and Paddy McGuinness have paid tribute on social media.
Dancing On Ice airs Sundays at 6pm on ITV.
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