Coleen Rooney’s tribute to Caroline Flack after star found dead


Coleen Rooney has shared a poignant tribute to Caroline Flack hours after the Love Island host was found dead in her flat aged 40.

The former Love Island host, 40, was found dead at her London flat on Saturday, February 15, just weeks before she was due to go on trial for assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton, 27.   

Coleen wrote: ‘Heartbreaking people really don’t know what others are going through or feel. Thoughts and prayers are with Caroline’s family and friends. Rest in PEACE Caroline.’

Heartbreak: Coleen Rooney has shared a poignant tribute to Caroline Flack hours after the Love Island host was found dead in her flat aged 40

Heartbreak: Coleen Rooney has shared a poignant tribute to Caroline Flack hours after the Love Island host was found dead in her flat aged 40

Tragedy: The former Love Island host, 40, was found dead at her London flat on Saturday, February 15, just weeks before she was due to go on trial for assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton, 27

Tragedy: The former Love Island host, 40, was found dead at her London flat on Saturday, February 15, just weeks before she was due to go on trial for assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton, 27

Tragedy: The former Love Island host, 40, was found dead at her London flat on Saturday, February 15, just weeks before she was due to go on trial for assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton, 27

Caroline’s death was confirmed on Saturday. 

Her family have been informed and in a statement on Saturday they said: ‘We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today on the 15th February. We would ask that the press both respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time.’  

Flack was best known for previously fronting the hugely popular ITV2 show Love Island, which has tonight been rocked by the third death of one of its former stars.   

Poignant:  Coleen wrote: 'Heartbreaking people really don’t know what others are going through or feel. Thoughts and prayers are with Caroline’s family and friends. Rest in PEACE Caroline'

Poignant:  Coleen wrote: 'Heartbreaking people really don’t know what others are going through or feel. Thoughts and prayers are with Caroline’s family and friends. Rest in PEACE Caroline'

Poignant:  Coleen wrote: ‘Heartbreaking people really don’t know what others are going through or feel. Thoughts and prayers are with Caroline’s family and friends. Rest in PEACE Caroline’

Contestants Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon took their own lives following their appearances on the dating programme, throwing the show’s future into question.       

The presenter’s final Instagram post one day before her death- her first on her grid in two months, saw her fawning over her French Bulldog. 

Caroline’s collage of snaps, captioned simply with a love heart emoji, were posted two days before she was found dead at her London flat. 

Final snap: The presenter's final Instagram post one day before her death- her first on her grid in two months, saw her fawning over her French Bulldog

Final snap: The presenter's final Instagram post one day before her death- her first on her grid in two months, saw her fawning over her French Bulldog

Final snap: The presenter’s final Instagram post one day before her death- her first on her grid in two months, saw her fawning over her French Bulldog

The star’s family has been informed and in a statement tonight said: ‘We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today on the 15th February. 

‘We would ask that the press both respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time.’ 

Love Island also released a statement, they said: ‘Everybody at Love Island and ITV is shocked and saddened by this desperately sad news. 

‘Caroline was a much loved member of the Love Island team and our sincere thoughts and condolences are with her family and friends.’

Last moments: Earlier this week, Caroline was seen wall climbing with a friend at The Castle Climbing Centre in London on Wednesday night

Last moments: Earlier this week, Caroline was seen wall climbing with a friend at The Castle Climbing Centre in London on Wednesday night

Last moments: Earlier this week, Caroline was seen wall climbing with a friend at The Castle Climbing Centre in London on Wednesday night

Tragic: The star's family has been informed of her death and in a statement tonight said: 'We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today on the 15th February.' (pictured in November)

Tragic: The star's family has been informed of her death and in a statement tonight said: 'We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today on the 15th February.' (pictured in November)

Tragic: The star’s family has been informed of her death and in a statement tonight said: ‘We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today on the 15th February.’ (pictured in November)

Earlier this week, Caroline was seen  wall climbing with a friend at The Castle Climbing Centre in London on Wednesday night.

In a video shared to Instagram by her TV producer pal, Mollie Grosberg, the giggling Love Island star could be seen attempting to the climb the wall but backtracking as she got too high.   

Caroline, who jetted back to the UK last month after a Los Angeles break to ‘clear her head’ amid her assault charge, appeared in good spirits during the clip which was captioned: ‘We r professional climbers #healthiswealth.’ 

Caroline was best known for previously fronting the hugely popular ITV2 show Love Island, which has tonight been rocked by the third death of one of its former stars.

Contestants Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon took their own lives following their appearances on the dating programme, throwing the show’s future into question.

Caroline’s death comes just weeks before she was due to go on trial for assaulting partner Lewis Burton, who in December accused her of hitting him with a lamp before backtracking on these claims.

Care-free: In a video shared to Instagram by her TV producer pal, Mollie Grosberg, the giggling Love Island star could be seen attempting to the climb the wall but backtracking as she got too high

Care-free: In a video shared to Instagram by her TV producer pal, Mollie Grosberg, the giggling Love Island star could be seen attempting to the climb the wall but backtracking as she got too high

Care-free: In a video shared to Instagram by her TV producer pal, Mollie Grosberg, the giggling Love Island star could be seen attempting to the climb the wall but backtracking as she got too high

Yesterday, the model and tennis player posted a picture of him and Flack on Instagram and wrote: ‘Happy Valentine’s… Love You.’

His heartfelt snap followed an announcement by Caroline that she was about to break her silence about her troubled personal life.

In January she wrote: ‘I’m going to speak today… mine and my family’s life is no longer up for entertainment or gossip,’

Court: Caroline's death comes just weeks before she was due to go on trial for assaulting partner Lewis Burton, who in December accused her of hitting him with a lamp before backtracking on these claims (pictured together in October 2019)

Court: Caroline's death comes just weeks before she was due to go on trial for assaulting partner Lewis Burton, who in December accused her of hitting him with a lamp before backtracking on these claims (pictured together in October 2019)

Court: Caroline’s death comes just weeks before she was due to go on trial for assaulting partner Lewis Burton, who in December accused her of hitting him with a lamp before backtracking on these claims (pictured together in October 2019) 

But a source said she wrote the post ‘without thinking’ and changed her mind, vowing to keep quiet until the time was right.

The saga surrounding Caroline’s court case saw her step down from hosting Love Island – the winter series is currently on air and is being hosted by Laura Whitmore.

Yet it was understood that she would return to the ITV2 show in the summer if cleared in court for the assault allegations. 

If you have been affected by this story, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org. 

Sad: Caroline was best known for previously fronting the hugely popular ITV2 show Love Island, which has tonight been rocked by the third death of one of its former stars (pictured last year)

Sad: Caroline was best known for previously fronting the hugely popular ITV2 show Love Island, which has tonight been rocked by the third death of one of its former stars (pictured last year)

Sad: Caroline was best known for previously fronting the hugely popular ITV2 show Love Island, which has tonight been rocked by the third death of one of its former stars (pictured last year)