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AFP
Tributes have poured in for ex-Love Island host Caroline Flack, after she was found dead in her London flat.
A lawyer for her family said she had taken her own life.
Her management company said the 40-year-old had been “under huge pressure” since she was accused of assaulting her boyfriend – which she denied.
In a statement, they criticised prosecutors for pursuing her “show trial”, even after her partner said he did not support it.
She was due to stand trial next month.
In response, the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Given the tragic circumstances, we will not comment on the specifics of this case at this stage.”
Flack had co-hosted The X Factor and won Strictly Come Dancing in 2014, as well as presenting ITV’s Love Island.
She stood down from the dating show after she was charged with assaulting her partner, tennis player Lewis Burton, in December.
Following her death, an ITV spokeswoman said Flack was a “much-loved member of the Love Island team”.
Celebrities and ex-Love Island stars also paid tribute, describing her death as “heartbreaking”.
Laura Whitmore, who took over presenting Love Island following Flack’s arrest, posted a picture of the pair on Twitter and wrote: “I’m trying to find the words but I can’t.”
Fellow ITV presenters Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly said they were “devastated” by the news.
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Caroline Flack / Instagram
Flack last posted a collage of images to her Instagram followers on Thursday
Many of those who paid tribute urged for greater kindness towards people going through difficult circumstances.
This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield wrote on Instagram: “You poor darling girl my heart is breaking #BeKind”.
Eamonn Holmes said he was “shocked beyond belief” and questioned whether there would be “repercussions” for Love Island.
Kady McDermott, who featured in the show’s second series, said: “Devastated to hear the news about Caroline Flack.
“Caroline was nothing but kind to me and that’s how I will always remember her.
“Saddens me so much when people think the only way out is death. My prayers and thoughts go out to Caroline’s friends and family.”
Confirming that Saturday’s episode of Love Island would not air, an ITV spokeswoman said: “Everybody at Love Island and ITV is shocked and saddened by this desperately sad news.”
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Meanwhile, Strictly Come Dancing praised Flack’s “infectious energy and passion for dance” in a statement on Twitter.
Flack won series 12 of the show in 2014.
“The entire Strictly Come Dancing family are heartbroken to hear this incredibly sad news,” the tweet said.
Judge Bruno Tonioli said he could not believe the news, and praised Flack as “always so much fun to be around”.
The show’s co-presenters, Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, both posted messages in tribute to Flack, with Winkleman saying her death was “heartbreaking”.
Flack’s friend Dawn O’Porter posted a string of messages on Twitter, saying: “At some point I will find my words, and I will write the tribute she deserves. My dear friend. I’m lost.”
Flack’s career: From children’s TV to Chicago on stage
Many fans grew up with Flack following her breakthrough co-hosting Saturday morning show TMi with Sam and Mark on CBBC in 2007.
From there, she went on to front Gladiators on Sky One, ITV2’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! spin-off and The Xtra Factor, before moving to The X Factor itself with Olly Murs in 2015.
She cemented her popular appeal when she won Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 with partner Pasha Kovalev.
She is credited with making Love Island one of the biggest shows on British TV and was the one to pick up the award when it won the Bafta for best reality show in 2018.
The same year, Flack made her West End stage debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago and even appeared on the celebrity version of The Great British Bake Off.
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PA Media
Flack won Strictly Come Dancing in 2014
Assault charge
At the time of her death, Flack had been waiting to stand trial after she was charged with assaulting her boyfriend with a lamp.
She pleaded not guilty in December and was released on bail on the condition she did not contact Mr Burton.
Her solicitor made an application to have these bail conditions lifted, arguing they remained a couple and wanted to spend Christmas together.
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PA Media
Following her death, Flack’s management company criticised the CPS for pursuing what it called her “show trial”, even after her partner, Lewis Burton (pictured), said he did not support it
In a statement following her death, Flack’s management company criticised the CPS for pressing ahead with the case.
Francis Ridley, of Money Talent Management, said: “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.”
In response, the CPS said its “deepest sympathies go to the family and friends of Caroline Flack”, but that it would “not comment on the specifics of this case at this stage”.
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