Caroline Flack arrives at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court in North London today
Love Island presenter Caroline Flack arrived at court today separately to the boyfriend she is accused of beating up.
Flack, 40, was charged with common assault after a 5am bust-up at the flat she shares with her partner Lewis Burton in Islington, North London.
Flack, wearing high black leather boots and a black coat, arrived at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court this morning with a woman, shortly after Mr Burton, who was wearing a winter parka coat.
It comes after Flack and Mr Burton unfollowed each other on Instagram – and the presenter said she did not know ‘where to go’ or ‘who to trust’ in an emotional Instagram post yesterday.
She wrote: ‘This is the worst time of my life. I don’t know where to go to. Where to look. Who to trust. Or who I even am.’
Police were called to the 40-year-old’s flat in the early hours of December 12 after reports a man had been assaulted. Flack was charged the following day.
Model and ex-tennis player Mr Burton has defended Flack on Instagram describing her as ‘loyal and kind’, and criticised the ‘witch hunt’ following the incident.
A police officer helps Flack get into court today as she arrived with an unknown woman (right)
Flack, wearing high black leather boots and a black coat, arrives at the court in London today
Flack, 40, was charged with common assault after a 5am bust-up at her flat earlier this month
Flack arrives at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court in London today charged with assault
The couple, who became an item this summer, reportedly remain together and are going to work through this together.
Following the incident Flack stepped down from the upcoming winter series of Love Island in South Africa.
On Friday ITV confirmed that TV presenter Laura Whitmore will replace Flack as the face of the popular ITV2 programme which sees young singletons find love in the sun.
Flack voiced her support for Miss Whitmore, who is the girlfriend of the show’s narrator Iain Stirling, and told how she is going through a ‘really rough time’.
The 34-year-old also paid tribute to Flack, who she said ‘pushed’ her to accept the role.
Mr Burton arrives at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court in North London this morning
Flack was charged with common assault after a 5am bust-up at the flat she shares with her partner Mr Burton (pictured) in Islington, North London
Caroline Flack and Lewis Burton leave Sexy Fish restaurant in London’s Mayfair on October 16
Flack is pictured on December 16 (left) and with Lewis Burton in London on October 16 (right)
Flack no longer has Mr Burton as a contact on Instagram
Mr Burton also no longer has Flack as a contact on Instagram
Miss Flack said she did not know ‘where to go’ or ‘who to trust’ in an Instagram post yesterday
She said: ‘I want to thank ITV for trusting me at the helm of this huge show. I wish it was in better circumstances. Caroline is a brilliant host and also a friend.
Laura Whitmore, pictured on December 2, was announced as the new Love Island host
‘She has been very kind to me and strongly pushed me for this role. I’ve watched her host every series and I know I have big boots to fill. I will try and do it justice.’
Flack, who has presented the series since 2015, wrote on Instagram that she is ‘glad it’s Laura’.
She added: ‘Thank you for your continuous messages of support. It’s a really rough time… but I’m doing all I can to keep my head above water and sort this all out.’
ITV has not confirmed whether Flack will return for the summer series next year.
Miss Whitmore has already replaced Flack in a job before, when she took over I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! NOW! – the programme’s follow on show – in 2011.
In 2018 she hosted ITV’s first attempt at a winter version of Love Island, Survival Of The Fittest, also in South Africa, which included eventual Love Island winner Dani Dyer among its contestants.
It was dropped after one series amid poor ratings. Miss Whitmore has dated Stirling since 2017. Love Island begins on ITV2 on January 12.