Caroline Flack’s former flatmate shares lovely picture of the star as a teenager


Caroline Flack’s former flatmate has shared a lovely picture of the late star as a teenager, writing that she was ‘full of happiness, energy and drive.’ 

Bernadette Battom, now 42, went to theatre school with Caroline, who died a week last Saturday, aged 40, and wanted to share a moment of her in joyful times when they were aged 16. 

She spoke to the Sunday People about their time at Cambridge’s Bodywork Company in 1996, where they shared a house with three other performers.

‘She was full of happiness, energy and drive’: Caroline Flack’s former flatmate has shared a lovely picture of the star as a teenager (left) following her tragic death

The 42-year-old explained: ‘She was so full of happiness, energy and drive.

She said: ‘She was a bundle of confidence and always got picked for everything. We were working so hard we were coming home exhausted, so we didn’t go out loads or party.

‘Caroline knew where she wanted to go and she was focused on that. She wasn’t the tidiest housemate but she was very popular. People were drawn to her.”

Honour: Meanwhile, the Love Island finale will feature a tribute to the show's late host Caroline Flack (pictured on the show in June 2019)

Honour: Meanwhile, the Love Island finale will feature a tribute to the show’s late host Caroline Flack (pictured on the show in June 2019)

Bernadette was understandably devastated to  hear of Caroline’s death little more than a week ago. 

She said: ‘If you told me back then that this was going to happen, I would never have believed it.’ 

Sadly, they lost touch after graduating in 1999.   

Meanwhile, the Love Island finale will feature a tribute to Caroline.

ITV confirmed that during Sunday night’s show, viewers will see a dedication to the star, who took her own life at her home in London last Saturday. 

Tragic: Love Island narrator Iain Stirling's 'spine-tingling' delivered tribute to Caroline on Monday as show returned two days after her death

Tragic: Love Island narrator Iain Stirling’s ‘spine-tingling’ delivered tribute to Caroline on Monday as show returned two days after her death

After much speculation, it has been revealed that the finalists have been informed of her passing with insiders confirming they were alerted on Saturday. 

An ITV representative told MailOnline: ‘There will be a dedication to Caroline in tonight’s final episode. The Islanders have been informed of the news of Caroline off camera ahead of the final.’ 

Earlier in the week, the mother of contestant Ched Uzor said ITV is right not to tell the show’s stars about Caroline’s tragic death. 

Maureen Uzor insisted the series must go on and those in the current series being filmed in South Africa should only be told when they leave the villa.  

Last Sunday’s episode had been cancelled with producers stating it would ‘not be broadcast out of respect for Caroline’s family’. 

Awareness: After much speculation, it has been revealed that the finalists have been informed of her passing with insiders confirming they were alerted on Saturday

Awareness: After much speculation, it has been revealed that the finalists have been informed of her passing with insiders confirming they were alerted on Saturday

On Monday, viewers of the hit show praised narrator Iain Stirling’s ‘spine-tingling’ tribute to his friend and colleague where he urged people to ‘be kind’. 

At the beginning of the show a clip of the sea played with Iain doing the voice over, Iain then went on to read out a touching tribute which lasted 73 seconds. 

He said: ‘We are all absolutely devastated by the tragic news that Caroline, a much loved member of our Love Island family, has passed away. Our thoughts with family and friends at this dreadful time.

‘Caroline and me were together from the very start of Love Island and her passion, warmth and infectious enthusiasm were a crucial part of what made the show connect with millions of viewers.

'I'm going to miss you Caz': Comedian Iain (pictured above with Caroline in 2017) opened the show with a touching tribute to his friend earlier this week

‘I’m going to miss you Caz’: Comedian Iain (pictured above with Caroline in 2017) opened the show with a touching tribute to his friend earlier this week

Finalist: Ched Uzor (above) is one of the stars at the Love Island villa

Speaking out: Ched's mother Maureen (above) backed ITV bosses who took the decision not to tell contestants earlier this week

Speaking out: Maureen Uzor (right), mother of Love Island contestant Ched Uzor (left) recently said ITV is right not to tell the show’s stars about Caroline Flack’s tragic death 

Taking over: The ITV veteran fronted the much-loved show since its revival series in 2015, before handing over her role to pal Laura Whitmore (pictured on this year's show) in late 2019

Taking over: The ITV veteran fronted the much-loved show since its revival series in 2015, before handing over her role to pal Laura Whitmore (pictured on this year’s show) in late 2019

‘Like many of you, right now we are all just trying to come to terms with what has happened. My only hope is that we can all try and be kinder, always show love and listen to one another.

‘Caroline, I want to thank you for all the fun times we had making our favourite show, you were a true friend to me, I’m going to miss you Caz’. 

TV star Caroline passed away a day after she had been told that the CPS was pursuing the court case against her following an arrest at her home over a row with Lewis Burton in December. 

She had pleaded not guilty to assault by beating at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court in North London on December 23 and was due to go on trial at March 4. 

Heartbreaking: Caroline passed away a day after she had been told that the CPS was pursuing the court case against her following a row with Lewis Burton (pictured in October)

Heartbreaking: Caroline passed away a day after she had been told that the CPS was pursuing the court case against her following a row with Lewis Burton (pictured in October)

Her management company have criticised the CPS for pressing ahead with what it called her ‘show trial’ even after Lewis said he did not support it.  

The ITV veteran fronted the much-loved show since its revival series in 2015, before handing over her role to pal Laura Whitmore in late 2019. 

Sunday evening will see either Luke Trotman and Siânnise Fudge, Paige Turley and Finley Tapp, Demi Jones and Luke Mabbott, or Jess Gale and Ched crowned as the first-ever winners of the ITV2 dating series’ debut winter edition.

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

Hotly-anticipated: Sunday evening will see the first-ever winners of the ITV2 dating series' debut winter edition (finalists Paige Turley and Finley Tapp pictured)

Hotly-anticipated: Sunday evening will see the first-ever winners of the ITV2 dating series’ debut winter edition (finalists Paige Turley and Finley Tapp pictured)

The full message that Caroline Flack wrote and was advised not to post on social media 

Flack's mother shared the message in her local paper, the Eastern Daily Press, in Norfolk where Flack grew up.

Flack’s mother shared the message in her local paper, the Eastern Daily Press, in Norfolk where Flack grew up.

For a lot of people, being arrested for common assault is an extreme way to have some sort of spiritual awakening but for me it’s become the normal.

I’ve been pressing the snooze button on many stresses in my life – for my whole life. I’ve accepted shame and toxic opinions on my life for over 10 years and yet told myself it’s all part of my job. No complaining.

The problem with brushing things under the carpet is …. they are still there and one day someone is going to lift that carpet up and all you are going to feel is shame and embarrassment.

On December the 12th 2019 I was arrested for common assault on my boyfriend… Within 24 hours my whole world and future was swept from under my feet and all the walls that I had taken so long to build around me, collapsed. I am suddenly on a different kind of stage and everyone is watching it happen.

I have always taken responsibility for what happened that night. Even on the night. But the truth is… It was an accident.

I’ve been having some sort of emotional breakdown for a very long time.

But I am NOT a domestic abuser. We had an argument and an accident happened. An accident. The blood that someone SOLD to a newspaper was MY blood and that was something very sad and very personal.

The reason I am talking today is because my family can’t take anymore. I’ve lost my job. My home. My ability to speak. And the truth has been taken out of my hands and used as entertainment.

I can’t spend every day hidden away being told not to say or speak to anyone.

I’m so sorry to my family for what I have brought upon them and for what my friends have had to go through.

I’m not thinking about ‘how I’m going to get my career back.’ I’m thinking about how I’m going to get mine and my family’s life back.