Caroline Flack dies at 40: Celebrities pay tribute on social media
Love Island paid tribute to Caroline Flack after she was found dead at her London flat aged 40 on Saturday.
The late presenter had hosted the show since 2015 and an ITV2 spokesperson said they were ‘shocked and saddened’ over the news.
It read: ‘Everybody at Love Island and ITV is shocked and saddened by this desperately sad news.
Heartbreaking: Love Island paid tribute to Caroline Flack after she was found dead at her London flat aged 40 on Saturday (pictured in 2018)
‘Caroline was a much loved member of the Love Island team and our sincere thoughts and condolences are with her family and friends.’
Caroline’s former Love Island contestants also paid tribute to the late host with Olivia Attwood leading the heartbreaking messages.
Molly-Mae, 20, shared a photo of herself with Caroline on the ITV2 dating series over the summer in 2019.
Pals: Caroline’s former Love Island contestants also paid tribute to the late host with Olivia Attwood leading the heartbreaking messages
Heartbroken: Molly-Mae, 20, shared a photo of herself with Caroline on the ITV2 dating series over the summer in 2019 along with her own emotional tribute
Upset: Amber Davies shared a snap from the moment Caroline announced she and then-boyfriend Kem Cetinay had been crowned Love Island champions in 2017
She penned: ‘I’m utterly shocked and heartbroken. Caroline you were such a special woman. Your huge smile will stay with me forever… Rest in peace.’
Amber Davies took to Instagram to pen: ‘I am lost for words. My heart is completely broken! Caroline I will always adore you, we all love you so much. This will hurt forever.’
Wes Nelson, 21, shared a photo of the two partying in Ibiza over the summer and shared that it was ‘just weeks since we were chatting away.’
Tributes: Wes Nelson, 21, shared a photo of the two partying in Ibiza over the summer and shared that it was ‘just weeks since we were chatting away’
He penned: ‘Caroline Flack was an absolute diamond, my hearts genuinely broken! One of the warmest funniest people I’ve ever met, I have nothing but great memories!’
Wes added: ‘My tears, thoughts and prayers go out to her family at this extremely difficult time! I’m lost for words R.I.P ❤️.’
‘There are no words that can explain what I’m feeling right now. Caroline was of the most extraordinary people I have ever met. Her smile and personality was infectious. She was loyal and kind, and looked after the islanders as if they were her own.
‘I will never forget the way you held my hand from the moment I entered that villa. I am truly heartbroken.’
Rest in Peace: Love Island 2017 star Sam Gowland shared a tribute of his own following the news of Caroline’s death
Pals: Kendall Rae Knight posted a beaming snap with Caroline as she paid tribute to the star
Love Island 2017 star Sam Gowland shared a tribute of his own following the news of Caroline’s death, writing: ‘Absolutely lost for words again!! RIP Caroline my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this awful time.’
Kendall Rae Knight posted a beaming snap with Caroline as she paid tribute to the star, adding: ‘Truly shocked and heartbroken. Such a beautiful talented woman who never failed to make me smile. What a cruel world we live in. Rest in peace now angel.’
Caroline was found dead at her London flat at the age of 40, her family said in a statement on Saturday.
The family statement said: ‘We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today, the 15th of February.
‘We would ask that the press respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time and we would ask they make no attempt to contact us and/or photograph us.’
The troubled Love Island star had stepped down from presenting Love Island after she was alleged to have assaulted her boyfriend Lewis Burton 27, at her then flat in Islington, north London, in December.
She entered a not guilty plea to the assault charge at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court and she was released on bail with conditions that stopped her having any contact with Burton ahead of a trial in March.
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.
TV presenters Davina McCall and Phillip Schofield were also among those reacting to the news of Caroline’s death
RIP: Caroline was found dead at her London flat at the age of 40, her family said in a statement on Saturday
Her TV presenting roles have included Gladiators, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! NOW!, The X Factor and The Xtra Factor.
She won Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 while paired with professional dancer Pasha Kovalev.
The following year she joined the revival of dating reality show Love Island on ITV2.
She hosted the first five series of the popular programme, one of the most-watched reality shows in the UK in recent years, as well as its spin-off programme Aftersun.
The current series of the programme, the first winter edition, is being hosted by Laura Whitmore after Flack stepped back from her presenting duties.