Caroline Flack’s mother Christine has revealed details of the private funeral held for the star last week, after she took her own life at her London home.
The Love Island presenter’s funeral took place on Tuesday March 10 at Greenacres at Colney, near Norwich, a ceremonial park set in a 16 acre forest.
Speaking to local newspaper The Eastern Daily Press, Christine thanked the 200 friends who had ‘travelled from across the world’ for the two hour service, which was followed by a wake in local pub The Black Horse.
Family: Caroline Flack ‘s mother Christine has revealed details of the private funeral held for the star last week, after she took her own life at her London home
In a photo obtained by The Eastern Daily Press, a white rose could be seen resting on the order of service which had a picture of Caroline on the front.
Described as ‘an enchanting place, with 16 acres of glorious mature woodland surrounding our award-winning ceremonial buildings,’ the venue is close to where Caroline grew up.
Her mother Chris said of the service: ‘There were lots of memories, smiles but mostly tears as we all remembered Carrie and the joy she had brought to all of our lives.
‘All the family would like to say thank you so much to all Carrie’s friends who travelled from all over the world to be there that day and who appreciated why we wanted to bring her back home to Norfolk.
Woodland setting: The Love Island presenter’s funeral took place on Tuesday March 10 at Greenacres at Colney, near Norwich, a ceremonial park set in a 16 acre forest
‘Friends included all the old pals she had either worked alongside or presented with on Fash FC, I’m A Celebrity, Xtra Factor, Love Island, friends old and new from the world of Strictly, the Bake Off and many many more.’
Tributes to the presenter came from her old friends from schooldays and college days, Christine explained.
‘Her friends from schooldays, college days and present day also gathered to exchange stories and pay tributes to my beautiful girl.
The service included two moving live performances from West End and X Factor star Lucie Jones who sung She Used To Be Mine’ from the musical Waitress, and Caroline’s close friend Ciara, who performed a song written for Caroline called ‘The Sulking Room’.
Toast: After a two hour service guests retreated to the Black Horse pub for the wake (pictured is Caroline’s close friend Lou Teasdale (second from left) and the late star’s boyfriend Lewis Burton (second from right) on the day of her funeral
Important message: Lou wore a Choose Love T-shirt to the funeral, similar to the one Caroline had worn before while other guests wore another shirt designed by Caroline’s friend Leigh Francis
There for one another: Another of Caroline’s best friends, Mollie Grosberg shared this picture of herself and Lou on the day and they both wore Choose Love T-shirts
Guests wore t-shirts designed by Caroline’s close friend, Celebrity Juice star Leigh Francis.
Caroline tragically took her own life at her home in Stoke Newington, a day after learning the CPS would be pursuing a case of assault against her following a row with her boyfriend Lewis Burton at her home in December.
One of Caroline’s closest friends, Lou Teasdale, shared pictures from the day on Instagram last week, as she remembered Caroline, along with the late star’s boyfriend Lewis Burton, 27.
Lou, 36, wore a Choose Love T-shirt similar to one Caroline had worn before, as did the host’s best friend Mollie Grosberg.
Nature: Described as ‘an enchanting place, with 16 acres of glorious mature woodland surrounding our award-winning ceremonial buildings,’ the funeral venue is close to where Caroline grew up
Performance: The service included a moving live performance from West End and X Factor star Lucie Jones who sung She Used To Be Mine’ from the musical Waitress
‘See you on the other side Flack’: Laura Whitmore shared a moving tribute to her late friend Caroline Flack the day after her funeral
Laura Whitmore, who took over the role of Love Island host after Caroline stepped down last year, and Iain Stirling, who voices the ITV show,both shared heartfelt tributes the day after her funeral.
The couple honoured their late friend with moving messages on Wednesday, one day after the 40-year-old presenter was laid to rest following her tragic suicide on 15 February.
Laura shared: ‘Beautiful send off yesterday for a life that ended too soon. See you on the other side Flack, have the pina coladas waiting x.’
‘You were so loved Caz’: Love Island voiceover artist Iain Stirling also posted a tribute to the beloved presenter
Moving: The comedian shared some beautiful words about Caroline and how her close friends and family will remember her
Iain also posted a message of his own, which the Love Island voiceover artist accompanied with a behind-the-scenes picture of him eating pizza with Caroline.
He wrote: ‘Yesterday we said goodbye to Caroline. It was a small services filled with her friends and family.
‘The day was spent sharing stories, singing songs and of course some tears were shed.
‘As someone who had the worst FOMO in the world I know Carrie would have hated missing it. And her infectious laugh was painfully absent.
‘Yesterday, we celebrated you!’ On Wednesday morning, fellow TV presenter Zoe Hardman shared a picture of herself on a night out with Caroline a she paid tribute to her
‘You were so loved Caz, by so many – I hope you knew that. And I hope you’re now at peace. X.’
The day after the funeral fellow TV presenter Zoe Hardman shared a picture of herself on a night out with Caroline.
She penned: ‘Yesterday we celebrated you. Your laughter, your light, your one in a million energy, your dancing, your singing, your smile, your stories and the love you gave to each and every one of us.
‘It was beautiful, uplifting, heartbreaking, gut wrenching & wonderful all at the same time.
‘I feel SO grateful to have known you and had the moments we did together Carrie. This isn’t goodbye because deep down I know, I’ll see you on the dance floor again my friend.’
X Factor presenter, Dermot O’Leary shared a picture of himself dancing with Caroline.
An honour: Dermot O’Leary shared this sweet memory of himself with Caroline
He wrote: ‘Goodbye Tiny Dancer. Honour to have spent the day with your nearest and dearest, and privileged to have worked, laughed, drank, and danced alongside you. Hope you’re at peace, keep dancing. X’
Olly Murs, 35, who worked alongside Caroline on X Factor, took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a sweet clip of himself kissing the late Love Island presenter during their time presenting The X Factor in 2015.
Speaking about Flack’s passing last week, ITV boss Dame Carolyn McCall said: ‘So many people at ITV knew Caroline, including me, and it was unbelievably tragic.
‘I think that we can never know what is behind suicide. It is not in any way simple. It is a very, very complex thing.
‘We take advice from (mental health charities) Samaritans and Mind and we will continue to do that.’
Her family shared an Instagram post advisers had told her not to share online.
Part of it read: ‘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.’
For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123, visit a local branch or go to www.samaritans.org
Always remembered: Olly Murs also paid tribute to Caroline on the day of her private funeral