Caroline Flack’s tragic death could lead to ITV bosses pulling the plug on Love Island as it follows the suicides of two former contestants of the reality show.
The series has been a massive money spinner and a ratings hit with Flack as the host.
But it was already under intense scrutiny following the suicides of former contestants Sophie Gradon, 32, and Mike Thalassitis, 26, with some criticising the show’s aftercare policies.
The presenter, 40, killed herself, a lawyer for the Flack family confirmed, and in a statement tonight they said: ‘We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today on the 15th February.
Sophie Gradon, 32, and Mike Thalassitis, 26, took their own lives after appearing on the show
‘We would ask that the press respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time.’
The latest tragedy will lead to more pressure on ITV to rethink the show’s future and there was immediate speculation about what Flack’s death will mean for the series.
ITV has pulled tonight’s highlights episode of the show that was due to air at 9pm on ITV2.
ITV2’s programme announcer said: ‘In light of today’s sad news we’re replacing tonight’s episode of Love Island: Unseen Bits with a double bill of You’ve Been Framed.’
However it has not known whether Love Island will air tomorrow night as schedule.
The last post: A collage of pictures posted by Flack on Thursday to her 2.4million followers, showing her playing with her dog, Ruby
Caroline Flack’s death is the third tragic death to strike Love Island in the past two years
Mike (left) and Sophie (right) posing in promotional photos for Love Island as contestants
An ITV spokeswoman said: ‘Everybody at Love Island and ITV is shocked and saddened by this desperately sad news. Caroline was a much loved member of the Love Island team and our sincere thoughts and condolences are with her family and friends.’
A TV series called The Surjury, featuring Flack as the host, will no longer air on Channel 4, the broadcaster said.
A Channel 4 spokeswoman said: ‘We are shocked and saddened to hear the tragic news about Caroline Flack. Our deepest sympathies go out to Caroline’s family and friends.
‘Under the circumstances, we have decided not to broadcast The Surjury.’
The presenter 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.
This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes, 60, tweeted: ‘Caroline Flack …. Dear God. Shocked beyond belief. May she have found peace. #Rip
Her death has sparked calls for ITV bosses to pull the plug on Love Island as it follows the suicides of two former contestants of the reality show
‘Has to be repercussions for Love Island now surely?’
It comes after singer Boy George has slammed the Crown Prosecution Service for charging Flack with assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton.
The Culture Club lead singer tweeted: ‘I hope all of you who attacked Caroline Flack even when her partner said he wanted no charges feel some sorrow today. This did not need to happen.
Boy George has slammed the Crown Prosecution Service for charging Flack with assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton
‘This is devastating news! And yes, I hope the @cpsuk feel even deeper sorrow.’
Caroline Flack’s management described the ‘huge pressure’ Flack was facing over the ongoing case involving her boyfriend Lewis Burton.
In a statement, her management said: ‘We are devastated at the loss of our client and friend Caroline Flack.
‘An immensely talented young woman who was at the top of her game professionally and loved by television viewers across the country.
‘In recent months Caroline had been under huge pressure because of an ongoing case and potential trial which has been well reported.
‘The Crown Prosecution Service pursued this when they knew not only how very vulnerable Caroline was but also that the alleged victim did not support the prosecution and had disputed the CPS version of events.
‘The CPS should look at themselves today and how they pursued a show trial that was not only without merit but not in the public interest. And ultimately resulted in significant distress to Caroline.
‘Our thoughts are with Caroline’s family at this time.’
Many on social media have called for Love Island to be axed following the death of presenter Caroline Flack and contestants Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis.
Jessica said: ‘Love Island may not be the direct reason that Caroline Flack took her own life but it played a huge part in creating the toxic social media fuelled culture that did.’
Twitter users have called for Love Island to be axed and claimed ‘social media and trolls have taken another life’
Flack’s death follows the suicides of 2017 contestant Mike who was found dead in a park near his north London home in March last year where he left notes to his family making clear his intention to kill himself.
He was found by a jogger in Church Street Recreation ground next to Haselbury Road in the north London borough where he lived, shortly before 9.30am on March 16 2019.
An officer who attended the scene said a black notebook had been found near where he died.
Giving evidence at the inquest, Police Constable Emma Clauson said: ‘I looked through the notebook which was a sort of combination of a diary and letters and positive thoughts.
‘At the back of the diary was a number of notes that had been addressed to his family.’
The inquest heard toxicology results showed there was cocaine, alcohol, paracetamol and antidepressants in his system at the time of his death.
Sophie, who took part in the 2016 series, died in June 2018 after struggling with depression.
Her body was found at her home in Ponteland, Northumberland, by her boyfriend Aaron Armstrong, who killed himself 20 days later.
The death of Mr Thalassitis prompted calls from Health Secretary Matt Hancock for reality shows to do more for competitors once they have become famous.
Earlier in 2019, a coroner in Tyneside issued a warning about mixing alcohol and cocaine after another Love Island star, Miss Gradon, hanged herself having consumed both substances.
Coroner Eric Armstrong said research in the US said the combination was known to make someone 16 times more likely to kill themselves.
Miss Gradon was found at her home in Ponteland, Northumberland, by her boyfriend and his brother in June 2018.
Her boyfriend, Mr Armstrong, was found hanging three weeks later, having also taken cocaine and alcohol, and the coroner made a similar ruling at the inquest into his death.
The couple were not staying together on June 19, the night before she was found, because each was looking after their parents’ dogs, but they had exchanged loving messages.
He was concerned when he did not hear from her on June 20 and went round with his brother Ryan and they broke in when they looked through the living room window.
They found her in the living room with her mobile phones nearby, and attempts to give her CPR continued until paramedics arrived.
Detective Sergeant Neill Jobling told the inquest Miss Gradon had previously had mental health issues, including low self-esteem and anxiety, and had been prescribed medication for it which she was still taking when she died.
MPs launched an inquiry into reality TV shows last May after The Jeremy Kyle Show was permanently axed by ITV following ‘humiliated’ father, Steven Dymond’s, suspected suicide after appearing on the show with his former girlfriend.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport Committee announced the probe after Mr Dymond, 63, was found dead at home in Portsmouth.
Scrutiny increased when a number of former guests came forward to criticise the ‘lack of aftercare’ on the programme.
DCMS committee chairman Damian Collins said as the inquiry was launched: ‘There needs to be an independent review of the duty of care TV companies have to participants in reality TV shows and the DCMS select committee has decided to hold an inquiry this summer into these issues.’
But Love Island boss and the chief executive of ITV tried to dismiss fears that the suicides were linked to the show.
She said it was ‘strange’ to link the former contestants’ suicides with the show.
Dame Carolyn McCall, 57, was speaking to Radio 4’s Today programme in July last year as it was announced the show would run for two series in 2020.
Dame Carolyn was asked why Love Island was not being cancelled like The Jeremy Kyle Show.
She said: ‘It wasn’t about that particular thing, it was the circumstances around it.’
She added: ‘I also think that what happened on Love Island, tragic as it is for anyone who takes their life, it’s a terrible thing.
‘Mind and the Samaritans tell the public constantly not to simplify links, and I’m afraid that’s what media does.
‘The two contestants, who were very popular contestants – Sophie and Mike – there was nearly a two-year gap for each of them and they did lots and lots of other things after Love Island, so I think it’s a strange thing for you to bring up to be honest.’
Dame Carolyn went on to explain the decision to provide counselling for the contestants on the show both during and after their appearance.
Since the two Love Island stars’ tragic deaths, ITV has evolved its aftercare policy for Love Island contestants.
Bosses have promised to support the contestants’ families both before and after the show amid recent reality deaths.
Heartbreaking: Sophie, 32, who took part in Love Island in 2016, died in June 2018, her body was found at her home in Northumberland by her boyfriend Aaron Armstrong, who killed himself 20 days later (pictured in May 2009)
The ITV2 show has written an extra clause in the stars’ contracts which vows to help the loved-ones of cast mates, as well as the contestants themselves.
In a statement last year, they wrote: ‘The production team have continued to evolve their processes with each series, as the show’s popularity has risen and the social and media attention on Islanders has increased.
Ofcom announced in July that it would implement stringent new guidelines to protect reality TV stars amid a raft of complaints from worried viewers.
The media watchdog proposed new rules to protect participants in TV and radio shows, and to ensure they are properly cared for by broadcasters.
Ofcom cited the 25,322 complaints it received about Celebrity Big Brother in 2018 after Roxanne Pallett claimed that her fellow housemate Ryan Thomas had physically assaulted her.
Most complainants expressed concern about the personal impact on Thomas and others specifically expressed concern about Pallett’s wellbeing.
It also referred to the 7,912 complaints in August 2018 after Kim Woodburn appeared on Loose Women.
The majority of complainants expressed concern that the presenters had humiliated Woodburn and caused her unnecessary distress.
It also cited the 2,644 complaints received in July 2018 about Love Island participant Dani Dyer being shown a video of then-boyfriend Jack Fincham reacting to his former partner entering Casa Amor.
Caroline posted a final series of snaps on Instagram on Thursday with her dog Ruby just two days before she was found dead in her London flat after apparently taking her own life
Caroline Flack has been found dead in her London flat after apparently taking her own life
The regulator said it would add two rules to the existing Broadcasting Code, which would protect the welfare of participants in reality shows, documentaries, news and current affairs, phone-ins, quiz shows, talent contests and other forms of factual and entertainment programmes, but not drama, sitcoms or soaps.
The new rules state that ‘due care must be taken over the welfare, wellbeing and dignity of participants in programmes’.
The second states that ‘participants must not be caused unjustified distress or anxiety by taking part in programmes or by the broadcast of those programmes’.
The proposed rules reflect the fact that very different forms and levels of care may be appropriate, depending on the person participating, a programme’s format and the nature of the participation, Ofcom said.
The watchdog added that it wishes to ensure that the proposed new rules do not make programmes less likely to feature people with vulnerabilities, as there is a public interest in their representation.
Tony Close, Ofcom’s director of content standards, said: ‘People who take part in TV and radio shows must be properly looked after by broadcasters, and these rules would ensure that happens.
‘These new safeguards must be effective. So we’re listening carefully to programme participants, broadcasters, producers and psychologists before we finalise them.’
Aftercare: Since the two stars’ tragic deaths, ITV has evolved its aftercare policy for Love Island contestants (late Love Island star Mike pictured in October 2018)
Sophie Gradon, 32, and Michael Thalassitis, 26, hanged themselves after going on Love Island
Sophie Gradon, 32, from Newcastle. Died on 20 June, 2018
The former Love Island contestant hanged herself in her home in Newcastle after drinking alcohol and taking cocaine two years following her appearance on the ITV2 show.
The former reality star and Miss Great Britain, 2009, was tragically found dead by her boyfriend Aaron Armstrong, who shared a picture of them together with the words: ‘I will never forget that smile I love you so so much baby your my world forever ever and always’.
Ms Gradon’s inquest heard the former contestant had been battling with crippling anxiety and depression in the months leading up to her death.
The inquest heard the last person she spoke to on the day of her death was friend Sondeep Gill, whom she told she was having ‘suicidal thoughts’ since the death of close friend Paul Burns, who had previously ‘saved her from suicide’.
Paying tribute to their daughter, her parents said in 2018: ‘Sophie spent an idyllic childhood in Gosforth, Newcastle, and then moved at the age of 10 to Ponteland in Northumberland.
‘Sophie told us she had just met someone new and had been on a lunch date with him.
‘She was excited at the prospect of starting a new relationship and it was her fullest intention to introduce us to him when the time was right.
‘At the time of Sophie’s sudden and tragic passing, she had only been involved with Armstrong for five weeks.’
The former Love Island star, right, was found by boyfriend Aaron Armstrong, left, who himself was found dead at home 20 days later
Former Love Island star Sophie Gradon, pictured in Barcelona, hanged herself at home after taking cocaine and drinking alcohol
The former beauty pageant winner, left, competed on Love Island in 2016,right, and was involved in the show’s first same-sex coupling with Katy Salmon
Mike Thalassitis, 26, from North London. Died on 16 March 2019
The former Love Island star hanged himself in a park near his home after his alcohol and cocaine binge.
Mr Thalassitis, 26, was found dead by a woman out jogging near his home in Edmonton, north London. He had left a harrowing note to his family in a book next to his body which ‘clearly set out his intention that his life should come to an end’, his inquest heard.
His death was ruled a suicide after a toxicology report found he had taken a lethal amount of cocaine, alcohol and paracetamol before hanging himself.
His family paid tribute to the star as a ‘wonderful son and brother’. They attended his inquest along with all contestants on Love Island 2017.
Paying respect: Mr Thalassitis appeared on season three of Love Island in 2017 (pictured)
According to Montana Brown (pictured left this morning), Mike (right) had been in a ‘dark place’ in the months before he died
The 26-year-old was found hanged in a park in Enfield, north London on March 16 this year