Caroline Flack won the hearts of the nation in 2014 when she was crowned the winner of Strictly Come Dancing.
The presenter, 40, wowed viewers when she danced a jaw-dropping Charleston to Istanbul (Not Constantinople) by They Might Be Giants with pro Pasha Kovalev.
Caroline’s performance resurfaced as Strictly stars including host Tess Daly and Aljaž Skorjanec took to Twitter to pay tribute to the star, after she was found dead at her flat in London on Saturday.
Dance star: Caroline Flack won the hearts of the nation in 2014 when she was crowned the winner of Strictly Come Dancing. The presenter’s performance resurfaced as co-stars paid tribute following her death on Saturday
During an Around The World-themed episode of Strictly, Caroline took to the dancefloor with Pasha to perform a Turkey-themed Charleston which wowed the judges.
She went onto reprise the routine in the grand final, and it proved to be her winning performance as it was her last before being crowned champions.
Four years later, Caroline talked about the difficulties she faced after lifting the Glitterball Trophy, telling The Sun that she felt as though her body was ‘covered’ in ‘clingfilm’ the morning after her dancefloor triumph, adding that she felt ‘ridiculous’ feeling so low.
She added: ‘I couldn’t get up and just couldn’t pick myself up at all that next year.’
Elated: The presenter, 40, wowed viewers when she danced a jaw-dropping Charleston to Istanbul (Not Constantinople) by They Might Be Giants with pro Pasha Kovalev
Stellar: During an Around The World-themed episode of Strictly, Caroline took to the dancefloor with Pasha to perform a Turkey-inspired Charleston which wowed the judges
Tributes from Strictly’s biggest stars poured in after Caroline was found dead at her home in London aged 40.
Tess tweeted: ‘Absolutely shocked and devastated at this tragic news. Rest in peace Caroline you beautiful girl. Heart goes out to your family and loved ones at this time xxxx.’
Claudia penned: ‘Such heartbreaking news. Sending so much love to Caroline’s family and friends. xxx’
Paying tribute: Tributes from Strictly’s biggest stars poured in after Caroline was found dead at her home in London aged 40
Pro Ola Jordan posted: ‘I’m absolutely heartbroken. RIP Angel.’
Aljaz simply tweeted ‘Caroline’ along with a broken heart emoji.
James Jordan – who previously appeared as a pro on Strictly – tweeted: ‘Just seen on Twitter the devastating news that Caroline Flack has been found dead in her home.
‘I’m so sad right now and I actually can’t believe it. Can’t imagine what her family are going through right now.’
Karen Hauer added: ‘Absolutely shocked and saddened to hear about @carolineflack1. Thinking of her family & hope their wishes of privacy are met’
Tragic: It Takes Two hosts Zoe Ball and Rylan Clark-Neal also shared their own tributes to Caroline after learning the news
It Takes Two host Zoe Ball also tweeted: ‘Devastating news about Caroline. Thoughts are with her family and loved ones.’
Rylan Clark-Neal – who co-hosts It Takes Two with Zoe – tweeted that he found out the tragic news in the middle of his Radio 2 show, and came off-air 15 minutes early.
Clarifying his absence Rylan tweeted: ‘Apologies for the last 15 minus of my show. I’d been informed of the news and was and still am in complete show. Gutted. So sad. Sleep well Flack x.’
Caroline was found dead at her London flat at the age of 40, her family said in a statement on Saturday.
RIP: Caroline was found dead at her London flat at the age of 40, her family said in a statement on Saturday
The family statement said: ‘We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today, the 15th of February.
‘We would ask that the press respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time and we would ask they make no attempt to contact us and/or photograph us.’
The troubled Love Island star had stepped down from presenting Love Island after she was alleged to have assaulted her boyfriend Lewis Burton 27, at her then flat in Islington, north London, in December.
She entered a not guilty plea to the assault charge at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court and she was released on bail with conditions that stopped her having any contact with Burton ahead of a trial in March.
An ITV spokeswoman 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.’
Final sighting: Caroline posted a final series of snaps on Instagram on Thursday with her dog Ruby just two days before she was found dead in her London flat after apparently taking her own life
Family: Flack leaves behind her twin sister Jo (pictured together left) and her elder brother, elder sister, mother and father (pictured right)
TV presenters Davina McCall and Phillip Schofield were also among those reacting to the news of Caroline’s death
Her TV presenting roles have included Gladiators, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! NOW!, The X Factor and The Xtra Factor.
She won Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 while paired with professional dancer Pasha Kovalev.
The following year she joined the revival of dating reality show Love Island on ITV2.
She hosted the first five series of the popular programme, one of the most-watched reality shows in the UK in recent years, as well as its spin-off programme Aftersun.
The current series of the programme, the first winter edition, is being hosted by Laura Whitmore after Flack stepped back from her presenting duties.
If you have been affected by this story, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org.
Struggles: Four years later, Caroline talked about the difficulties she faced after lifting the Glitterball Trophy, telling The Sun that she felt as though her body was ‘covered’ in ‘clingfilm’ the morning after her dancefloor triumph