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
Upsetting: Strictly Come Dancing released a statement paying tribute to Caroline following her tragic death, saying: ‘The entire Strictly Come Dancing family are heartbroken to hear this incredibly sad news
Strictly Come Dancing released a statement paying tribute to Caroline following her tragic death, saying: ‘The entire Strictly Come Dancing family are heartbroken to hear this incredibly sad news.
‘Caroline had an infectious energy and passion for dance, she shone brightly in the Strictly ballroom every week and became an incredible champion.
‘Words cannot express out sadness, she was simply one of a kind. We are sending our love to all her family and friends during this difficult time.’
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’
Judge Bruno Tonioli tweeted: ‘Reading and seeing all the heartfelt messages on so many accounts just shows how popular and loved #CarolineFlack was… Such fun times and memories x.’
Pro Oti Mabuse wrote: ‘In a world where you can choose to be anything, choose to be kind. This lady was full of life, love and joy. You will always be iconic in my eyes and your smile will light the skies for decades to come #ripcarolineflack.’
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.’
RIP: Caroline was found dead at her London flat at the age of 40, her family said in a statement on Saturday
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.
According to The Mail On Sunday, it came just hours after she was told she would face trial for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton.
Her 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.
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
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.
Family: Flack leaves behind her twin sister Jo (pictured together left) and her elder brother, elder sister, mother and father (pictured right)
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.’
TV presenters Davina McCall and Phillip Schofield were also among those reacting to the news of Caroline’s death
Struggles: Four years after winning Strictly, 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
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.
Upsetting: The star 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