Laura Whitmore has called for privacy to mourn Caroline Flack after being followed by a paparazzo.
The Love Island presenter has flown to South Africa for this weekend’s final, reuniting with boyfriend Iain Stirling for the first time since the death of Caroline Flack.
And the 34-year-old has called out a photographer who attempted to get a ‘reaction’ from the grieving couple.
In a statement on her social media, Laura said: ‘I landed in Cape Town this morning and it is the first time I’ve been with Iain since Caroline passed away. It’s been really hard being apart. At the airport a photographer took pictures of us both and we tried to ignore it but he continued to follow us as we got coffee and left the building.
‘So I asked him would he stop as he had what he wanted. I said we were mourning a friend and could he allow us space. He said “can you give me a reaction. It’s a public plave and I can take pictures if I want”.’
The Irish star continued: ‘I have never courted the paparazzi but understand at work events it comes with the territory. But this morning was too much. Iain filmed him and he didn’t like it.
‘I don’t like attacking people but we need to call people out when they do things like this. Iain and I just wanted some privacy.’
Both Laura and Iain, 32, were close friends with Caroline, who took her own life on Saturday at the age of 40.
On Monday night’s edition of Love Island, narrator Iain opened the show with a tribute to his friend.
He said: ‘We are all absolutely devastated by the tragic news that Caroline, a much-loved member of our Love Island family, has passed away. ‘Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this dreadful time.
‘Caroline and me, we were together from the very start of Love Island, and her passion, warmth and infectious enthusiasm were a crucial part of what made the show connect with millions of viewers.
‘Like many of you, right now we’re all just trying to come to terms with what has happened. My only hope is that we can all try and be kinder, always show love, and listen to one another.
‘Caroline, I want to thank you for all the fun times we had making our favourite show. You were a true friend to me.’
In a final heartbreaking moment, his voice broke as he said: ‘I’m gonna miss you, Caz.’
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