Love Island returns with Iain Stirling’s emotional tribute to ‘warm and passionate’ Caroline Flack after tragic death

LOVE Island returned tonight with an emotional tribute to Caroline Flack from her friend Iain Stirling after her tragic death.

Devastated narrator Iain fought back tears as he described the late star as a "true friend" and said he was going to miss her.

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Spoken over footage of the ocean, Iain said: "We are all devastated that Caroline, a much loved member of our Love Island family, has passed away.

"Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this dreadful time.

"Caroline and me were together from the very start of Love Island. Her passion, warmth and infectious enthusiasm are a crucial part of what made the show connect with millions of viewers.

"Like many of you, we're still trying to come to terms with what's happened. My only hope is that we can try and be kinder, always show love and listen to one another.

"Caroline, I want to thank you for all the fun times making our favourite show. You were a true friend to me. I’m gonna miss you Caz."

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Iain's commentary was absent from tonight's show, which toned down its usual exuberance.

Prior to the show airing, ITV Director of Television Kevin Lygo released a statement addressing Caroline's death.

He said: “Everyone at ITV is absolutely devastated and still trying to process this tragic news.

"Caroline was part of Love Island from the very beginning and her passion, dedication and boundless energy contributed to the show’s success.

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“After Caroline stepped down from the show ITV made it clear that the door was left open for her to return and the Love Island production team remained in regular contact with her and continued to offer support over the last few months.

“Love Island will return tonight and will include a tribute to Caroline that the team in South Africa and Iain Stirling have put together.

"Caroline loved Love Island and was very vocal in her support of the show. Viewers could relate to her and she to them and that was a big part of the programme’s success. We will all miss her very much."

Caroline was found dead after taking her own life at her flat in Stoke Newington, North East London, on Saturday.

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An ambulance had been called to her home at 10.30pm the previous night following a concern for welfare report but crews assessed she did not need hospital treatment.

Friend Lou Teasdale, 36, had stayed with her overnight before leaving to go to the shops at around 9.30am. Caroline's body was found a short time later.

Pals say the 40-year-old had been tormented as she faced an assault trial after allegedly attacking boyfriend Lewis Burton, 27, at her then home in December last year.

The Love Island star had learned the Crown Prosecution Service was set to press ahead with her trial the day before her death.

Caroline strongly denied the charge and her management team has slammed the CPS for pursuing the case despite Lewis saying he didn't support the prosecution.

She and Lewis had pleaded with authorities for it to be dropped given her vulnerable mental state.

A court heard last year that Caroline was accused of hitting Lewis, 27, around the head with a lamp before flipping over a table after officers arrived.

Magistrates were also told how police bodycam footage had captured Caroline in the moments after the incident.

A friend said: "Caroline was terrified the footage of her distressed and covered in blood would be shown to the world in court."

Dr Charlotte Proudman, a human rights barrister who specialises in cases involving violence against women and girls, said the CPS had been wrongly trying to make an example of the star.

She said: "This smacks of a show trial.

"It feels like it was nothing more than an attempt by the CPS to show how rigorously it pursues domestic abuse cases, especially one involving a male complainant.

"I’m baffled as to why the CPS were so determined to continue with this case.

"There were clear mental health issues at the heart of this case and her vulnerability, both at the time of the incident and afterwards were well known."

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Caroline was due to stand trial at Highbury magistrates court on March 4 charged with common assault after the December 12 incident in Islington, North London.

At a previous hearing, the court heard that while under caution Caroline told police she would kill herself and that she said: "I did it.";

Magistrates heard how Lewis had dialled 999 and told the operator: "She’s trying to kill me, mate."

Lewis later stood by Caroline, despite being banned from contacting her.

He posted after the December 23 hearing: “What I witnessed today was horrible. She did not hit me with a lamp. Gutted I am not allowed to protect her right now.”

Caroline had made no secret of her mental health struggles since her first court appearance in December.

She had also spoken publicly and bravely about her long-standing issues.

In an Instagram post on October 14, she wrote: “I wanted to write something about mental health day last week but I was knee deep in work.

"And some days it’s hard to write your feelings or your not in the right place.

‘The last few weeks I’ve been in a really weird place . . . I find it hard to talk about it . . . I guess it’s anxiety and pressure of life . . . and when I actually reached out to someone they said I was draining.

"I feel like this is why some people keep their emotions to themselves.

"I certainly hate talking about my feelings. And being a burden is my biggest fear."

• If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123

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