Image copyright
AFP
Tributes have poured in for ex-Love Island host Caroline Flack, who has been found dead in her London flat, aged 40.
The TV personality took her own life, a lawyer for her family said.
Fans, celebrities and ex-Love Island stars have been paying tribute.
An ITV spokeswoman said: “Caroline was a much loved member of the Love Island team and our sincere thoughts and condolences are with her family and friends.”
Confirming Saturday night’s Love Island episode will not be broadcast, the spokeswoman added: “Everybody at Love Island and ITV is shocked and saddened by this desperately sad news.”
Former contestants on the show have used social media to pay their respects and send messages of condolence to her loved ones.
Kady McDermott, who featured in the show’s second series, praised the presenter’s kindness.
“Devastated to hear the news about Caroline Flack,” she posted. “Caroline was nothing but kind to me and that’s how I will always remember her.
“Saddens me so much when people think the only way out is death. My prayers and thoughts go out to Caroline’s friends and family.”
Series five Love Island finalist Molly-Mae Hague shared a photo of herself with Flack on Instagram, with the caption: “I’m utterly shocked and heartbroken.
“Caroline you were such a special woman. Your huge smile will stay with me forever… Rest in peace”.
Wes Nelson, who featured in the 2018 series, posted: “Caroline Flack was an absolute diamond, my hearts genuinely broken!
“One of the warmest funniest people I’ve ever met, My tears, thoughts and prayers go out to her family at this extremely difficult time!”
Maura Higgins, who appeared in the 2019 series, posted: “Heartbreaking news,” adding a note reading: “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”
Flack previously co-hosted The X Factor and won series 12 of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2014.
She stood down from hosting Love Island after she was charged with assaulting her partner, Lewis Burton, in December, and was due to stand trial next month.
Laura Whitmore, who took over presenting the winter version of the show following Flack’s arrest, posted a picture of the pair on Twitter and wrote: “I’m trying to find the words but I can’t.”
Flack’s fellow ITV presenters have also paid tribute, with Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly posting they were “devastated” by the news.
This Morning host Eamonn Holmes said he was “shocked beyond belief” and questioned whether there would be repercussions for Love Island.
Flack won Series 12 of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2014, with her professional dance partner Pasha Kovalev.
The pair achieved perfect scoring from the Judges on every performance in the final, the first couple to do so in Strictly history.
A statement on Twitter paid tribute to the star’s “infectious energy and passion for dance”.
It said the “entire Strictly Come Dancing family” is heartbroken.
Judge Bruno Tonioli said he couldn’t believe the news, and praised Flack as “always so much fun to be around”.
The show’s co-presenters, Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly both posted messages to Flack, with Winkleman saying the news was “heartbreaking”.
Daly wrote on Twitter: “Rest in peace Caroline you beautiful girl.”
Debbie McGee, a finalist in the 2017 series, said Flack had been “lovely” to her when she was doing the show, and praised her “warm bubbly personality”.
Dermot O’Leary, who hosted ITV’s X Factor programme, posted a photo of himself with Flack on Instagram, and sent his love to her family and friends.
TV and radio presenter Maya Jama, said Flack was “amazing” and “always someone I looked up to in our line of work”.
Flack’s friend Dawn O’Porter posted a string of messages on Twitter, saying: “At some point I will find my words, and I will write the tribute she deserves. My dear friend. I’m lost”.
In separate posts, she wrote “We had so much fun” and also tweeted “I’m broken.”
Channel 4 has also said it will no longer air The Surjury, a new cosmetic surgery-based TV series that Flack was to host.
A Channel 4 spokeswoman said: “We are shocked and saddened to hear the tragic news about Caroline Flack. Our deepest sympathies go out to Caroline’s family and friends.
Channel 4 news presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy, who appeared last year with Flack in The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer, said the news was “just awful” and added: “In my brief experience of meeting her on GBBO she was big hearted, funny and very likeable.”
