Caroline Flack arrived at Heathrow Airport on Sunday after booking a flight to Los Angeles to ‘escape from all the drama’.
The presenter, 40, is said to be spending New Year’s in the US after a turbulent month saw her charged with assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton, 27, and step down as the host of Love Island.
Caroline cut a low-profile and failed to raise a smile as she arrived at the departures terminal on her own.
Away from the spotlight: Caroline Flack arrived at Heathrow Airport on Sunday after booking a flight to Los Angeles to ‘escape from all the drama’
The presenter has reportedly flown to Los Angeles to ‘clear her head’ and spend some time away from the limelight.
And Caroline certainly cut a somber figure as she strolled into the airport lugging a large suitcase and weekend bag.
The television personality covered her face in a £350 Burberry scarf and black tinted sunglasses.
Solo trip: Caroline cut a low-profile and failed to raise a smile as she arrived at the departures terminal on her own
Distressing: The presenter, 40, is said to be spending New Year’s in the US after a turbulent month saw her charged with assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton, 27,
Caroline opted for comfort for her long-haul flight in black leggings, a tan leather jacket and her signature suede ankle boots.
It is thought Caroline, who ‘feels trapped in the UK’, will take time for herself and go on long hikes while she is away from her home in London, reports the Sun.
A source said: ‘Caroline feels trapped in the UK. She can’t see or communicate with Lewis but she also doesn’t want to return to her flat because her every move is documented by photographers.
Downcast: Caroline certainly cut a somber figure as she strolled into the airport lugging a large suitcase and weekend bag
‘She’s driving herself mad, as she likes to be busy … she’s jetted to LA.
‘Whenever she’s hit hard times, she’s always “found herself” again in the mountains, away from the limelight. She wants to feel the sunshine on her skin, do long hikes and clear her head.’
MailOnline contacted Caroline’s representatives for comment.
Caroline and her partner were both allegedly covered in blood when police arrived at their flat in Islington, North London, on December 12 – with one officer describing the chaotic scene as ‘like a horror movie’.
She has pleaded not guilty to common assault and was released on bail until her trial in March.
After the hearing on Monday both Caroline and Lewis took to Instagram, with the TV personality telling her fans that she planned to take some time out.
‘Clear her head’: Caroline Flack, 40, is thought to have flown to Los Angeles to spend some time away from the limelight ahead of her assault trial in March
Caroline remained defiant about her case as she shared the meaningful message with her followers, despite admitting she still has ‘some lessons’ to learn.
Sharing an old image of herself on the red carpet, she wrote: ‘Been advised not to go on social media … but I wanted to say happy Christmas to everyone who has been so incredibly kind to me this year…..
‘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.’
As well as no longer hosting the first winter season of Love Island, it is thought that Caroline could be axed from presenting Channel 4’s The Surjury.
She announced she was set to host the controversial show back in October, which was expected to see young people convince a jury of peers and experts to approve of their life-changing operations.
But insiders claim the series won’t air as executives ‘do not want to associate’ with the media personality.
A source told The Sun: ‘Caroline’s looming court case and the bad publicity surrounding her has left a dark cloud over the show and Channel 4 do not want to associate themselves with Caroline at this time.
‘It’s a devastating blow for her as it was a huge break into the mainstream. There have been on-going discussions and some people on the production team have admitted they don’t think it’ll ever air.’
Speaking out: The blonde has insisted she will ‘not be silenced’ after taking to Instagram with a festive message for her fans on Christmas Eve
A spokeswoman for Channel 4 also confirmed to the publication: ‘The Surjury is not currently scheduled.’
The show was scheduled to see participants go under the knife if they are given the thumbs-up by a 12-strong jury.
Contestants have to secure 75 per cent of the jury vote to get their procedure, and then will be invited back to ‘show off the results’ after a few months.
Gobstopper Television is also filming a U.S. version of the format, according to Deadline.
Earlier this year, medical professionals warned of the potential harm of the programme, saying it glamorises and trivialises life-changing procedures, and could lead to a rise in botched surgeries.
Channel 4 director Ian Katz said the aim of the broadcaster was to ‘make entertaining, mischievous and innovative shows about the big issues and arguments in Britain today’.
Banned: On Thursday, Caroline liked several cryptic tweets after being forced to spend Christmas apart from her beau Lewis (pictured at Winter Wonderland earlier in December)
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Caroline and Channel 4 for further comment.
While on Thursday, Caroline liked several cryptic tweets after being forced to spend Christmas apart from her beau Lewis as bail conditions mean she can’t contact him.
She took to Twitter over the festive season to like several tweets including messages about being ‘on your own’ and ‘being on the road to emotional recovery’.
The ITV star showed support to Rose McGowan’s empowering tweet about ‘dark times’ and ‘getting the other side’.
It read: ‘Today I celebrate. I have love in my life, I’m on the road to emotional recovery, and I have mad love for all of you out there who keep me going in dark times.
‘I wish you all peace and a big ray of hope. Here’s to getting the other side. Love, Rose.’
While Caroline also liked Lorraine presenter Dan Wootton’s tweet about being alone over Christmas, it said: ‘And if you are on your own this Christmas, just remember you are never alone.’
Her social media activity comes after her boyfriend Lewis said he’s ‘gutted’ they have had to spend Christmas apart on Wednesday.
Taking to Instagram, the tennis player said he didn’t press charges after the incident at her Islington home in scenes later described by police as ‘a horror movie.’
‘Gutted’: Caroline’s boyfriend Lewis said he’s ‘gutted’ they have had to spend Christmas apart on Wednesday
Stepping out: Lewis was pictured leaving court after his girlfriend pleaded not guilty to assaulting him
Sharing a picture of Caroline – who has now stepped down from the hit ITV2 show and has been replaced by pal Laura Whitmore – holding two teddy bears, Lewis wrote: ‘Gutted I can’t spend Christmas with you.
‘I want to repeat I never pressed charges and asked the other day for the bail conditions to be dropped but no1 listened to me. I want this all to be over. [sic]’
Sources close to the embattled presenter told MailOnline she is staying with friends in London after being ordered by a judge not to contact boyfriend Lewis, who she denies clobbering with a lamp while he slept.
Caroline and her partner were both allegedly covered in blood when police arrived at their flat in Islington, North London, on December 12 – with one officer describing the chaotic scene as ‘like a horror movie’.
She has pleaded not guilty to common assault and was released on bail until her trial in March.
The Enfield native was accused of ‘going mad’ and smashing a glass after looking at texts which made her think Lewis was cheating – with him saying in a 999 call that she ‘tried to kill me, mate’, Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court heard.
Lewis was said to have been ‘almost begging the operator to send help’ with his face ‘covered in blood’, while Caroline – who has now been replaced as Love Island host by Laura Whitmore – allegedly had two cuts to her wrist.
After being taken into custody, former X Factor host Caroline – whom the court heard was ‘manipulative’ towards Lewis and accused him of ruining her life – allegedly flipped over a table and had to be restrained on the ground by police.
Her boyfriend was allegedly left with ‘significant head injuries’, but the court heard that she wants to ‘spend time’ with him over the Christmas and New Year period.
‘Gutted I am not allowed to protect her right now’: Lewis posted a picture of himself with Caroline on his Instagram
Lewis posted a picture of himself kissing Caroline, hours after a judge said she was banned from contacting Mr Burton and from attending his address – which left both with their head in their hands.
He wrote on Instagram: ‘It’s heartbreaking I can’t see my girlfriend over Christmas. What I witnessed today was horrible.
‘She did not hit me with a lamp. Arguments do happen every day in every relationship. Gutted I am not allowed to protect her right now.’
She broke down in tears as she sat in the dock. Holding her hand in front of her eyes, she sniffed.
The judge gave Caroline’s legal team until January 20 next year to provide further evidence to the court.
She put her head in her hands as the judge refused an application to remove bail conditions preventing her from contacting Lewis directly or indirectly and from attending his address.
Lewis, in the public gallery, also put his hand to his face, before the couple left the courtroom separately.