Joe Swash paid an emotional tribute to his friend Caroline Flack following her tragic death on Saturday, aged just 40.
The Dancing On Ice star, 38, worked with Caroline when they presented the I’m A Celebrity spin-off show together between 2009-2010.
And taking to Instagram Story hours after her death, Joe fought back tears as he revealed that he’s going to ‘miss her so much’ and revealed his sadness that she didn’t reach out for help.
Devastated: ‘Joe Swash paid an emotional tribute to his friend Caroline Flack following her tragic death on Saturday, aged just 40’
Speaking into the camera, a clearly devastated Joe said: ‘I want to send a message to everyone and let everyone know that Caroline Flack was the most amazing person you could ever come across.
‘She was funny, super talented, and she had the most infectious laugh.’
As he struggled to contain his emotions, he continued: ‘I wish that she could have asked for help because there’s so many people that love her and I am going to miss her so much.
‘We can’t let this happen, we can’t let this happen to anyone else.’
‘I’m going to miss her so much’: The Dancing On Ice star, 38, worked with Caroline when they presented the I’m A Celebrity spin-off show together between 2009-2010
Meanwhile, his partner Stacey Solomon revealed that she was planning on taking some time away from social media following the sad news.
She penned on Instagram Story: ‘I’m going to come off of here for tonight.
‘I’m going to spend some time reflecting on how lucky I am to have my family and remind myself that you NEVER truly know what’s going on in someone’s life.
‘Kindness is EVERYTHING and it costs NOTHING. Sending so much love to you all, tonight and always.’
So sad: taking to Instagram Story hours after her death, Joe fought back tears as he revealed that he’s going to ‘miss her so much’ and revealed his sadness that she didn’t reach out for help
The Loose Women star also shared contact details for a series of helplines.
Their words come after the former ITV presenter killed herself at her new flat in Islington, north London hours after finding out she would face trial over the alleged assault of boyfriend Lewis Burton last year – while the producer friend who was staying with her went to the shops.
When the friend was unable to get back in, she called Flack’s father Ian, who made his way into the property before discovering his daughter’s body.
The star’s management team had previously described her as ‘vulnerable’ and slammed the Crown Prosecution Service for pushing ahead with her ‘show trial’ despite Mr Burton saying he did not want to press charges.
Heartbreaking: ‘I wish that she could have asked for help because there’s so many people that love her and I am going to miss her so much’
In the wake of her death, legions of tributes poured in for the star from several well-known names who knew, loved and worked with her.
Tributes for Caroline included several former Love Island contestants, narrator Iain Stirling and Caroline’s pal and show replacement Laura Whitmore.
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.
Moved: Meanwhile, his partner Stacey Solomon revealed that she was planning on taking some time away from social media following the sad news
Time out: ‘I’m going to come off of here for tonight. I’m going to spend some time reflecting on how lucky I am to have my family and remind myself that you NEVER truly know what’s going on in someone’s 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.
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.’
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.
Gone too soon: Caroline killed herself at her new flat in Islington, north London hours after finding out she would face trial over the alleged assault of boyfriend Lewis Burton last year (pictured in February 2019)