Love Island paid tribute to Caroline Flack after she was found dead at her London flat aged 40 on Saturday.
The late presenter had hosted the show since 2015 and an ITV spokesperson said they were ‘shocked and saddened’ over the news.
It read: ‘Everybody at Love Island and ITV is shocked and saddened by this desperately sad news.
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Heartbreaking: Love Island paid tribute to Caroline Flack after she was found dead at her London flat aged 40 on Saturday (pictured in 2018)
‘Caroline was a much loved member of the Love Island team and our sincere thoughts and condolences are with her family and friends.’
Caroline’s former Love Island contestants also paid tribute to the late host with Olivia Attwood leading the heartbreaking messages.
Caroline took her own life after a worried friend who was staying with her went to the shops, leaving the ex-Love Island presenter alone at her London flat.
It came just hours after she was told she would face trial for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton, something she denied.
Statement: The late presenter had hosted the show since 2015 and an ITV2 spokesperson said they were ‘shocked and saddened’ over the news
Pals: Caroline’s former Love Island contestants also paid tribute to the late host with Olivia Attwood leading the heartbreaking messages
Molly-Mae, 20, shared a photo of herself with Caroline on the ITV2 dating series over the summer in 2019.
She penned: ‘I’m utterly shocked and heartbroken. Caroline you were such a special woman. Your huge smile will stay with me forever… Rest in peace.’
Amber Davies took to Instagram to pen: ‘I am lost for words. My heart is completely broken! Caroline I will always adore you, we all love you so much. This will hurt forever.’
Heartbroken: Molly-Mae, 20, shared a photo of herself with Caroline on the ITV2 dating series over the summer in 2019 along with her own emotional tribute
Upset: Amber Davies shared a snap from the moment Caroline announced she and then-boyfriend Kem Cetinay had been crowned Love Island champions in 2017
Love Island 2019 winner Amber Gill, 22, took to her Instagram account to share two shots of herself posing with the TV personality, as she revealed the star had supported her through one of her own rough patches last year.
She wrote: ‘A supportive friend in a time of need. An Amazing woman.
‘I have no words. You will be truly missed. Thinking of Caroline’s close friends and family. Sending love to EVERYONE.’
Tribute: Love Island 2019 winner Amber Gill took to her Instagram account to pay tribute to the late TV personality as she shared snapshots of the two posing together in happier times
Tough times: The Newcastle native also uploaded a shot to her Instagram Stories as she revealed how Caroline supported her through tough times of her own
Sharing another image of the pair together on her Instagram Stories, she revealed: ‘I will never ever forget how comfortable and sage you made me feel in one of my lows of 2019. I have no words.
‘The way this woman looked after me when she didn’t have to. A beautiful soul. Heartbroken. Sending love to her close friends, family and EVERYONE. She was way more than just a presenter she was my friend in a time of need. Thank you.’
Wes Nelson, 21, shared a photo of the two partying in Ibiza over the summer and shared that it was ‘just weeks since we were chatting away.’
He penned: ‘Caroline Flack was an absolute diamond, my hearts genuinely broken! One of the warmest funniest people I’ve ever met, I have nothing but great memories!’
Devastated: Tommy Fury, a finalist in 2019, shared a video of himself and Caroline together at a party as he shared that he was ‘devastated’ by her death
Tributes: Wes Nelson, 21, shared a photo of the two partying in Ibiza over the summer and shared that it was ‘just weeks since we were chatting away’
Words of encouragement: Adam Collard shared how Caroline had given him words of encouragement back in 2018 after he’d been voted off Love Island
Wes added: ‘My tears, thoughts and prayers go out to her family at this extremely difficult time! I’m lost for words R.I.P ❤️.’
‘There are no words that can explain what I’m feeling right now. Caroline was of the most extraordinary people I have ever met. Her smile and personality was infectious. She was loyal and kind, and looked after the islanders as if they were her own.
‘I will never forget the way you held my hand from the moment I entered that villa. I am truly heartbroken.’
Love Island 2017 star Sam Gowland shared a tribute of his own following the news of Caroline’s death, writing: ‘Absolutely lost for words again!! RIP Caroline my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this awful time.’
Rest in Peace: Love Island 2017 star Sam Gowland shared a tribute of his own following the news of Caroline’s death
Pals: Kendall Rae Knight posted a beaming snap with Caroline as she paid tribute to the star
Touched: Paying tribute to the star, Eyal Booker said, ‘You touched the lives of so many people’
Kendall Rae Knight posted a beaming snap with Caroline as she paid tribute to the star, adding: ‘Truly shocked and heartbroken.
‘Such a beautiful talented woman who never failed to make me smile. What a cruel world we live in. Rest in peace now angel.’
Nathan Massey – who appeared in Love Island’s 2016 series – wrote: ‘Literally have no words,’ as he shared his own snap alongside Caroline.
His wife Cara De La Hoyde – who he met in the villa – also said she had ‘no words’ as she shared a snap from the moment she and Nathan were crowned Love Island champions.
Strong: Zara McDermott described the tragic star as a ‘strong, amazing and beautiful woman’
Kind soul: Reiterating the words of many of her fellow Love Island alum, Rosie Williams described the star as a loving, bubbly, kind soul’
Friendly: Nathan Massey – who appeared in Love Island’s 2016 series – wrote: ‘Literally have no words,’ as he shared his own snap alongside Caroline
Celebration: His wife Cara De La Hoyde – who he met in the villa – also said she had ‘no words’ as she shared a snap from the moment she and Nathan were crowned Love Island champions
Heart: Love Island 2017 winner Kem Cetinay simply shared a broken heart emoji on Instagram
Love Island 2019 star Amy Hart also took to Instagram and wrote a lengthy tribute to Caroline.
She posted: ‘ I take as I find and what I found was the kindest soul, from putting us at ease on day one, to squeezing my hand when I didn’t know I needed it most, to reaching out to my best friend to help her navigate the dark side of social media, to inviting me to her dressing room for showtune karaoke.
‘To giving me the pep talk of all pep talks at Aftersun, she kept me really calm at the reunion and kept reassuring me all evening.
‘Caroline went above and beyond her job at all times, she didn’t HAVE to do any of that and she did. Absolutely gutted. Go and be the star you are.’
Touching: Love Island 2019 star Amy Hart also took to Instagram and wrote a lengthy tribute to Caroline as she recalled the times she support her during her time on the show
Beautiful: Charlie Brake, a contestant from 2018, branded the late TV personality smiley, ‘bubbly and a beautiful human being’ as he shared a shot of himself with her and Frankie Foster
![Positive experience: Ellie Brown, also an Islander from 2018, thanked Caroline for 'one of the best experiences of [her] life' on the show as she shared the host's final Instagram snap](https://i1.wp.com/i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/02/15/23/24790760-8007809-image-a-89_1581810777506.jpg?resize=634%2C781&ssl=1)
Positive experience: Ellie Brown, also an Islander from 2018, thanked Caroline for ‘one of the best experiences of [her] life’ on the show as she shared the host’s final Instagram snap
Star: Former contestant Jack Fowler stated that it was ‘a pleasure’ to work with the tragic star
Joe Garratt shared a snap with Caroline from her appearance on Love Island: Aftersun, as he wrote: ‘Feel so sad, can’t believe what I’ve heard! Bless her heart… such an amazing woman with so much more life to live.’
Love Island 2018 star Jack Fincham posted snap with the caption: ‘Truly in shock after hearing such devastating news, it was a pleasure knowing you Caroline my thoughts are with your family and loved ones. xx
Caroline’s management have slammed the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for pursuing the ‘show trial’ after Lewis said he did not want to press charges.
He had said she hit him with a lamp at her former home in Islington in December before asking the CPS not to press charges.
Upsetting: Joe Garratt shared a snap with Caroline from her appearance on Love Island: Aftersun
Caroline had been described by friends as feeling ‘she was on her own’ and ‘couldn’t see a way out,’ according to The Mirror.
It was also understood she had been struggling with her mental health and using anti-depressants before her death.
The TV presenter’s death was confirmed by a lawyer for the family. The Flack family said in a statement: ‘We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today on the 15th February. We would ask that the press respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time.’
A worried producer friend had been staying with the star but found she couldn’t get back into her flat after returning from the shops, a source said. She called Caroline’s father Ian who gained entry to the flat where he found the star’s body.
Sad: Love Island 2018 star Jack Fincham also shared a snap from the moment Caroline announced that he had won Love Island
Utterly Heartbroken: India Reynolds, who competed on Love Island last year, stated she was ‘utterly heartbroken’ by the shocking news of Caroline’s death
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.’
Following Caroline’s death, many fans have taken to social media to demand that Love Island be axed, after she became the third person associated with the show to take their own life.
Former contestants Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon, took their own lives in March 2019 and June 2018.
Among fans calling the show out was This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes who paid tribute to Caroline while insisting there needs to be ‘repercussions.’
He wrote on Twitter: ‘Caroline Flack …. Dear God. Shocked beyond belief. May she have found peace. #Rip Has to be repercussions for Love Island now surely?’ which garnered more than 27K likes.
Eamonn later added: ‘Meaning out of respect, can the series continue?’ (sic)
A CPS spokesperson issued a statement, they said: ‘Our deepest sympathies go to the family and friends of Caroline Flack.
‘Given the tragic circumstances, we will not comment on the specifics of this case at this stage.’
If you have been affected by this story, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org.
Speechless: Kaz Crossley shared a snapshot of the star as she admitted to being left ‘absolutely speechless’
Gratitude: Josh Denzel stated that he was ‘forever grateful’ for the star having ‘presided over’ his life-changing stint on the popular ITV2 dating show
Power of words: Michael Griffiths uploaded a snap of himself posing with Caroline during happier times, as he urged people to ‘understand the power of words’
Incredibly kind: Maura Higgins, who shot to stardom after appearing on the show last year, described Caroline as a ‘incredibly kind’ and beautiful
One of a kind: ‘Devastated’ 2019 contestant Yewande Biala deemed Caroline ‘one of a kind’
RIP: Caroline was found dead at her London flat at the age of 40, her family said in a statement on Saturday
CAROLINE FLACK: A CALL FOR HELP?
Caroline Flack spoke often about her struggles, both in interviews and on social media.
Caroline said, following her Strictly success: ‘Fame doesn’t make you happy’
STRICTLY CURSE?
The Strictly Come Dancing 2014 winner has said that she felt depressed following her victory on the BBC show.
After she won the series along with professional partner Pasha Kovalev, she admitted that she felt like she was ‘being held together by a piece of string which could snap at any time’.
In an unearthed interview cited by the Daily Star following her death, Caroline claimed that, ‘It all started the day after I won Strictly. I woke up and felt like somebody had covered my body in clingfilm. I couldn’t get up and just couldn’t pick myself up at all that next year.’
She went on: ‘People see the celebrity lifestyle and assume everything is perfect, but we’re just like everyone else. Everyone is battling something emotional behind closed doors – that’s life.
Ignored? ‘When I actually reached out to someone they said I was draining,’ Caroline admitted in October 2019
‘Fame doesn’t make you happy.’
‘BEING A BURDEN IS MY BIGGEST FEAR’
In an Instagram post she uploaded on 14 October 2019 – to mark World Mental Health Day – Caroline captioned a photo of herself: ‘Some days it’s hard to write your feelings of your not in the right place.
‘The last few weeks I’ve been in a really weird place… I find it hard to talk about it… I guess it’s anxiety and pressure of life… and when I actually reached out to someone they said I was draining.
‘I feel like this is why some people keep their emotions to themselves. I certainly hate talking about my feelings. And being a burden is my biggest fear…
‘I’m lucky to be able to pick myself up when things feel s**t. But what happens if someone can’t. Be nice to people. You never know what’s going on. Ever.’ [sic]
SOCIAL SILENCE
Signs of suicide? She liked tweets about calling The Samaritans over Christmas
Caroline was told to stay off social media following her assault charge in December 2019.
However, she notably liked a string of tweets in the days afterwards, before Christmas, encouraging those feeling lonely over the holidays to seek help.
The tweets – posted by the likes of actress Sheridan Smith, journalist Stacey Dooley and comedian Luke Kempner – included the telephone number for The Samaritans’ suicide hotline.
She also posted to Instagram around the same time: ‘This kind of scrutiny and speculation is a lot to take on for one person to take on their own… I’m a human being at the end of the day and I’m not going to be silenced when I have a story to tell and a life to keep going with…
‘I’m taking some time out to get feeling better and learn some lessons from situations I’ve got myself into to. I have nothing but love to give and best wishes for everyone.’
SELF-HELP?
It was reported that Caroline had decided to write a book, during her recent time off.
‘Caroline has found the process incredibly cathartic,’ one of her friends told the Mail. ‘She wants it to be more than just a story about her. She wants to talk about the problems she’s encountered and how she’s overcome them.
‘She hopes to be able to help others who may be going through similar difficulties. Part self-help, part memoir is the style that Caroline is looking for.’