Caroline Flack has been found dead, age 40
- by Virginia Carter
- in World Media
- — Feb 16, 2020
"We would ask that the press both respect the privacy of the family at this hard time", read a statement from the former Love Island presenter.
The Love Island presenter was reportedly discovered to have tragically passed away on Saturday afternoon.
After news of Flack's death broke, breakfast how presenter Eamonn Holmes, 60, tweeted that he was "shocked beyond belief" and added: "Has to be repercussions for Love Island now surely?"
Caroline chose to step down as host of the current series of "Love Island" in order not to "detract attention" from the show as she faced the assault charge. She was due to stand trial next month.
Flack hosted the dating series from its inception in 2015 until last December, when she was charged with assault after an incident at her home. She also appeared as a guest on shows Loose Women and Celebrity Juice and triumphed as a competitor on Strictly Come Dancing in 2014.
Jameela Jamil, who worked as a TV presenter in the United Kingdom before starring in The Good Place, was among those who voiced shock at the news. Get Me Out of Here!
On Saturday afternoon the Sun's executive editor, Dan Wootton, paid tribute to Flack: "Caroline was hung out to dry by ITV".
Caroline was arrested at her home for assault by beating on December 12, 2019, after getting into a row with her boyfriend Lewis in the early hours of the morning.
God bless Caroline and her family.
Caroline opened up about her own mental health struggles in an Instagram post to her followers back in October. Piers Morgan tweeted: "Caroline was a fun, bright & sparky person whose whole world collapsed recently, both professionally & personally". Caroline and I were devastated to attend the funeral of our friend Mike Thalassitis past year. "I can't believe it. Sending all my love to Caroline's family and loved ones".
"Caroline was a much-loved member of the "Love Island" team, and our honest thoughts and condolences are with her family and friends", the network statement said. She fronted companion shows to the popular ITV programs "I'm A Celebrity.Get Me Out of Here!" and "The X-Factor". "This is such sad, very bad news".
