Love Island stars lead tributes to Caroline Flack on second anniversary of her death

Caroline Flack arriving for the ITV Palooza November 2019
Caroline Flack arriving for the ITV Palooza in November 2019. Credit: PA

Olly Murs, Laura Whitmore and Iain Stirling are among the stars remembering Caroline Flack on the two-year anniversary of her death.

The Love Island presenter died in February 2020 at the age of 40.

A coroner ruled she took her own life after learning prosecutors were going to press ahead with an assault charge over an incident involving her boyfriend, Lewis Burton.

Earlier this week the police watchdog instructed the Metropolitan Police to reinvestigate a complaint made by Flack's mother over whether her daughter was treated differently by officers because of her fame.

Flack’s former co-star Murs posted a picture on Instagram of the pair smiling describing it as his "favourite photo" of the two of them.

He added: "The hug the smile the laughs I miss it all caz!"

Murs also took part in the Climb for Caroline campaign in June 2021, led by the charity Samaritans, where friends and family of Flack attempted to climb 24 peaks over 24 hours to raise money.

Amanda Holden posted a picture on her Instagram story of the two women smiling, writing "thinking of you".

Whitmore, who took over as Love Island presenter after Flack, posted a video of the two laughing as Flack pitched an idea for an ITV show called Cougar Mountain.

The caption reads: "This is how I like to think of Flack. Happy and not taking herself too seriously. We hung out a lot that year and I look back at it with such fun memories. This day is hard and a reminder that no one knows anyone else’s demons but today I like to think of all the good memories too. Cougar Mountain what a show that would have been."


Unscripted: The ITV News entertainment podcast


Whitmore’s husband, Stirling, who voices Love Island, posted an image of Flack laughing and pulling his ears as he makes a funny face, writing "miss you Caz".

The official Instagram account for Love Island posted a photograph of the former presenter (who was born in London before growing up in Norfolk) smiling, with a love heart as the caption.

Former contestants on the show have commented tributes to Flack on the post, including 2021 contestant Biggs Chris who said "Be kind to others please" and 2018 contestant Jack Fowler, who added four love hearts and "always had a smile on her".

The hashtag #BeKind is also trending on Twitter. It began as a charity in 2015 to promote kindness in schools but was picked up after Flack’s death to encourage compassion online and in real life.

Keith Lemon joined the tributes, posting a video of him and Flack singing a Scooby Doo song.

He also posted a picture of Flack and his wife Jill Carter, followed by a picture of the three of them together smiling.

After the force was told to reinvestigate a complaint made by the presenter's mother about the handling of Flack's death, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Following a review, the IOPC agreed with the MPS that service was acceptable in relation to seven areas of the complaints relating to the response and handling of the incident by the MPS.

"The IOPC has directed the MPS to reinvestigate one element of the complaints. This relates to the process involved in appealing the CPS decision to caution Ms Flack.

"We will re-examine this element of the investigative process. Our thoughts and sympathies remain with Caroline’s family."

If you or somebody you know is struggling Samaritans operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year, by calling 116 123.

If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org