Caroline Flack’s family and friends prepare to say final goodbye at her private funeral later today
TRAGIC Caroline Flack will be laid to rest today as her heartbroken friends and family say goodbye at the much-loved star’s private funeral.
The former Love Island presenter, 40, killed herself a day after she learned the CPS was pursuing charges that she allegedly attacked her boyfriend Lewis Burton.
She was found hanged at her home in Stoke Newington, North East London, last month and heartfelt tributes came pouring in for the star.
Olly Murs said his “heart is broken forever” and Ant and Dec said they were “devastated” after she took her own life.
Comedian Jack Whitehall described her as a “fun, kind and beautiful person”.
Her close friends and family will gather later today to say their final goodbye.
LAID TO REST
It comes as new Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore revealed she "ignored" her friend’s death because she thought it was "fake news" on Twitter.
The 34-year-old opened up about the moment she found out her close friend had taken her own life.
She was left devastated by Caroline's death - and has revealed that she originally saw the news on social media, and initially dismissed it as "fake".
Speaking to Kate Thornton on her Yahoo podcast White Wine Question Time, Laura explained: "I found out about Caroline on the Saturday and I found out in a way I wish I didn't.
"It was something on Twitter that someone had tweeted initially that I disregarded.
“Because there's always so many things that would be said about Caroline that you wouldn't take everything as truth. So I kind of ignored it."
COURT CASE
Before her death, Flack pleaded not guilty to assault by beating, but found out the day before her death that prosecutors had decided to move forward with the case.
The popular TV host had strongly denied the charge and her family and management slammed the CPS for pursuing the case branding it a “show trial”.
Her boyfriend Lewis, who suffered a minor head injury during the incident at her North London home, has always insisted he “never supported” a prosecution.
He also said Caroline had become the subject of a “witch hunt”.
The boss of ITV described her death as “unbelievably tragic” and said the reason behind her suicide may never be known.
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society - from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others... You're Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, , 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,
- Mind, , 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus,, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, , 116 123
MOST READ IN NEWS
Dame Carolyn McCall said ITV staff had been “absolutely devastated” by the news.
She said: “The thing about Caroline Flack is that ITV are absolutely devastated by what happened to her.
“So many people at ITV knew Caroline, including me, and it was unbelievably tragic.
“I think that we can never know what is behind suicide. It is not in any way simple. It is a very, very complex thing.
“We take advice from (mental health charities) Samaritans and Mind and we will continue to do that.”
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123, or visit ’s website.