Love Island tragedy

Special tribute

The night before she died, Love Island host Carolin Flack spent hours chillin with two close friends, enjoying milk and cookies and desperately trying to remain upbeat despite her impending court case. Less than 24 hours later the vivacious star was found lifeles in her London apartment, leaving devastated family and friends to mourn a life which they felt could quite easily have been saved. Caroline’s death by suicide was a heartbreaking outcome for the 40-year-old, who had one of the most envied careers on UK TV. Growing up in England with her Coca-Cola sales rep dad Ian, mum Christine and three siblings including her twin Jody, the bubbly blonde sought out the limelight from a young age, acting in village pantomimes. At 23, she began landing small TV presenting gigs and soon after making her name onI’m a Celebrity –Get Me Out OfHere! she leap-frogged into her “dream job” hostingLove Island . It was Caroline’s warm personality, kindness and infectious laugh that had TEARS FOR BELOVED CAROLINE The troubled presenter’s sad final days millions of people around the world tuning in to watch the reality dating show. Now in its sixth season, it became a ratings juggernaut and fans couldn’t get enough of her. Said one of her fans last week, “When I watched her, I felt like she was one of my mates.” Behind the scenes, Caroline was just as popular, dating a string of A-listers, including Prince Harry and Harry Styles. But on December 12 last year, her world came crashing down when police were called to her home by her boyfriend, 27-yearold former tennis player Lewis Burton, who reportedly told the operator, “She tried to kill me.” The following day Caroline was charged with assault, with the court hearing she had hit Lewis over the head with a lamp while he slept. It was reported that she had looked through Lewis’ phone and seen texts that made her jump to the conclusion he was cheating. At the next court hearing 10 days later, the star pleaded not guilty to assault. In her bail conditions was a temporary ban on having any contact with Lewis, despite the fact he had by then stated he did not want to press charges. He wrote on social media after the hearing, “It’s heartbreaking I can’t see my girlfriend over Christmas. She did not hit me with a lamp! Arguments happen every day in every relationship.” With Lewis refusing to cooperate with the prosecution, friends say a stressed-out Caroline –who had by then stepped down from her $8 million role in order not to detract from the upcoming series –clung to the hope that the charges would be dropped. Desperate for some relief from her constant anxiety, she travelled to Los Angeles for somatic therapy, a holistic practice used to treat PTSD, and when she returned home she went to the gym every day as she worked on her mental health. “She was calm and hopeful, but so weak,” tells a friend. Despite being on antidepressants, another pal says she was falling deeper into depression and was tormented by not being able to contact Lewis. “In the last few weeks she was with a lot of her friends and rarely alone.” On February 14, she received the news she was dreading –the Crown Prosecution Service had decided to press on with her court case, scheduled for March 4. That same day Lewis shared a picture of them both on social media with the message “Happy Valentine’s … Love You.” The message broke bail conditions and was soon taken down. Caroline, however, managed to respond by posting snaps of herself with her dog Ruby. At 10.30pm that evening paramedics were called to Caroline’s apartment over concerns for her welfare. She was assessed but not taken to hospital and one of her friends stayed with her overnight. At 2.30pm the following afternoon, however, a second ambulance was called and the TV star was pronounced dead at Her last post with pup Ruby. Caroline at her last hearing on December 23. Love Island tragedy PICTURES: IKON. 16 Wom an ’ s Day Boyfriend Lewis Good pal Lou Teasdale

TV darling’s highlights ...

CAROLINE FLACK 1979-2020

the scene. Reports said she had died while her friend had ducked out to the shops.

“Caroline couldn’t bear the thought of going through the court case,” said another pal in the days that followed. “She felt her career would never recover – and she felt humiliated in front of the world. She couldn’t see a way out. She didn’t know how to fix herself.”

As the world reeled from the shock news, Caroline’s friends and colleagues began to speak out about their grief and anger, with her talent agent Francis Ridley criticising the Crown Prosecution Service for pressing ahead with charges, “when they knew not only how very vulnerable Caroline was but also that the alleged victim did not support the prosecution and had disputed their version of events.”

Her pal, comedian Russell Brand, also spoke out, saying, “I am angry and sad. She was a lovely little person, a real laugh, a dynamo and the idea that she had been so drained of hope by her circumstances chokes me.” Days after her death, Caroline’s family shared an entry she’d wanted to post on social media but had been advised against for legal reasons. In it she said she’d been having “some sort of emotional breakdown for a very long time” but stressed, “I am NOT a domestic abuser” and that the incident that led to her arrest was simply “an accident”. #

After wowing the UK public with her fancy moves, Caroline and Pasha Kovalev won Britain’s version of Dancing with the Stars , Strictly Come Dancing , in 2014. Dancing queen

Royal dates

Caroline hooked up with the now Duke of Sussex in 2009, when he was 25 and she was 29, not long after he split from Zimbabwean socialite Chelsy Davy. “I was Prince Harry’s bit of rough,” she said later.

Love Island narrator Ian Stirling (above) voiced a 73-second tribute to his mate, saying, “I want to thank you for all the fun times we had making our favourite show.” Right: Winning a BAFTA award in 2018. Loved host

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, call the Suicide Crisis Helpline on 0508 TAUTOKO, text “help” to Lifeline on 4357 or call them on 0800 543 354. For other mental health issues, call 0800 111 757, or text 4202 to talk to a trained counsellor for free or call Youthline on 0800 376 633. NEED HELP?