How Caroline Flack became one of the most famous faces on TV
Caroline Flack was the Love Island presenter who had a meteoric rise to fame, but lost her dream job just months before she was found dead aged 40.
The star first rose to prominence as a CBBC presenter in the mid 2000s, before landing a job as the host of The Xtra Factor in 2011.
After being crowned Strictly Come Dancing champion in 2014, Caroline landed the ultimate job as Love Island’s host in 2015, but stepped down late last year after she was arrested for assault.
Career: Caroline Flack was the Love Island presenter who had a meteoric rise to fame, but lost her dream job just months before she was found dead aged 40
Caroline grew up in Great Hockham near Norwich with her twin sister Jody, and gained a place at a Cambridge stage school aged just 16.
She first rose to fame in the mid 2000s when she appeared on the CBBC series TMI with Sam Nixon and Mark Rhodes, and in 2008 took over from Kirsty Gallacher as the host of Gladiators.
In 2009 the star landed the job as the host of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here Now! and in 2011 she joined forces with Olly Murs as the host of The Xtra Factor in replacement of Konnie Huq.
The pair took over as The X Factor’s main hosts in 2015, but were replaced by the returning Dermot O’ Leary following a mixed reaction from viewers.
Back in the UK: Caroline was pictured for the first time on 24th January after she returned to the UK from LA where she was ‘clearing her head’ ahead of her trial in March
Caroline went onto earn a whole new army of fans when she was crowned the winner of Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 alongside professional partner Pasha Kovalev.
The following year Caroline landed a job as Love Island’s host when the show was revived on ITV2, and also presented its sister show Aftersun.
She stepped down in December 2019 after she was arrested for assaulting, and was scheduled to go on trial on 4th March.
Caroline had previously announced that she would be keeping her social media activity to a minimum as she awaits her trial.
On Christmas Eve, a day after her assault hearing and pleading not guilty to common assault, she shared a picture of herself as she penned: ‘Been advised not to go on social media … but I wanted to say happy Christmas to everyone who has been so incredibly kind to me this year…..
‘this kind of scrutiny and speculation is a lot to take on for one person to take on their own… I’m a human being at the end of the day and I’m not going to be silenced when I have a story to tell and a life to keep going with ….
‘I’m taking some time out to get feeling better and learn some lessons from situations I’ve got myself into to.I have nothing but love to give and best wishes for everyone’.
Caroline returned to social media on Tuesday, to send her best wishes to the Love Island team ahead of the National Television Awards, breaking her online silence.
Caroline wrote: ‘Good luck to all the team and cast at tonight’s NTAs…it’s such a fun night… cmon @loveisland.’
The embattled TV star recently returned to the UK from LA where she was ‘clearing her head’ ahead of her trial in March.
Caroline quit her role as host of Love Island in December, with her friend Laura Whitmore currently presenting the winter series.
Caroline appeared in court on December 12, charged with assaulting her boyfriend Lewis, during an apparent late-night altercation.
But a source has claimed the former Love Island host is in a much better place and has given up alcohol in preparation for her TV comeback.
The insider told The Sun: ‘Caroline has not touched alcohol since before Christmas and has been getting to the gym every day.’
The publication also claimed Love Island bosses would like to have Caroline back as host for the next series in the summer, if she is cleared of assaulting Lewis following her trial, which is scheduled for March.
It was also reported Caroline is planning to move back in with her boyfriend Lewis once the trial comes to an end.
Caroline appeared in court over the incident with her boyfriend in December – where a judge heard she hit the former tennis player.
The court was told she read texts on Lewis’ phone that made her think he was cheating on her before the alleged attack.
She and her partner Lewis were both allegedly covered in blood when police arrived at their flat in Islington, North London, on December 12, with Lewis saying in a 999 call that she ‘tried to kill me, mate’, Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court heard.
One officer described the chaotic scene as ‘like a horror movie’.
Lewis was said to have been ‘almost begging the operator to send help’ with his face ‘covered in blood’, while Caroline allegedly had two cuts to her wrist.
After being taken into custody, former X Factor host Caroline – whom the court heard was ‘manipulative’ towards Lewis and accused him of ruining her life – allegedly flipped over a table and had to be restrained on the ground by police.
Her boyfriend was allegedly left with ‘significant head injuries’.
Caroline pleaded not guilty to common assault and the court heard she wanted to ‘spend time’ with him over the Christmas and New Year period, but she was banned from communicating with him until her trial.