Love Island’s Laura Whitmore became tearful as she paid a moving tribute to the show’s late host Caroline Flack during tonight’s live finale.
Flack, 40, was found dead at her rented flat last Saturday after taking her own life as she awaited trial for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton, 27.
The show’s current host Laura Whitmore said on tonight’s show from Capetown: ‘The past week has been extremely difficult coming to terms with the loss of our friend and colleague Caroline. We’re thinking of her family and everyone who knew her at this time.
‘Caroline loved Love Island, she loved love and that’s why tonight’s final is dedicated to her.’
A montage of Flack’s most memorable moments from the show she hosted from 2015 to 2019 then followed with a backing track of Rudimental’s ‘Feel the Love.’
Caroline Flack, 40, was found dead at her north London apartment last weekend two days 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
The show’s current host Laura Whitmore said on tonight’s show: ‘Caroline loved Love Island, she loved love and that’s why tonight’s final is dedicated to her’
A montage of Flack’s most memorable moments from the show she hosted from 2015 to 2019 then followed with a backing track of Rudimental’s ‘Feel the Love’
Last Sunday’s episode had been cancelled with producers stating it would ‘not be broadcast out of respect for Caroline’s family’
Caroline Flack hugging one of the previous contestant’s Mollie May Hague during tonight’s video montage
Last Sunday’s episode had been cancelled with producers stating it would ‘not be broadcast out of respect for Caroline’s family’.
It was earlier revealed that the finalists had been informed of her passing with insiders confirming they were alerted on Saturday.
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.
Tonight’s tribute remembered Caroline Flack for her vivacious character and kindhearted nature
Flack appearing in a previous season of Love Island which she hosted from 2015 to 2019
The show’s current host Laura Whitmore, who had previously paid a moving tribute to her on the radio, announced tonight’s memorial montage
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
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
‘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)
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
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.
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.