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Devastated Caroline Flack quits Love Island after assault charge
CAROLINE Flack is standing down as Love Island host after being charged with assault following a bust-up at her home, The Sun can reveal.
The 40-year-old is "absolutely devastated" about the decision which comes as she was arrested on Thursday after an early-hours altercation with boyfriend Lewis Burton.
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A source revealed: "She is determined to clear her name. But Love Island has been her world so it's, of course, an absolute blow. She's absolutely devastated."
Caroline told The Sun: "Love Island has been my world for the last five years, it’s the best show on telly. In order to not detract attention from the upcoming series I feel the best thing I can do is to stand down for series six.
"I want to wish the incredible team working on the show a fantastic series in Cape Town."
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This morning she issued a statement on Instagram: "There have been a significant number of media reports and allegations in regards to my personal life.
"While matters were not as have been reported, I am committed to cooperating with the appropriate authorities and I can’t comment further on these matters until the legal process is over."
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She later added: “And on a really personal level. I have never experienced such kindness and love in my whole life.
“Not just from friends and family who are always the greatest.. but also from total strangers who send messages to me offering help and understanding.
“Please know that I see them.. and my boyfriend Lewis... I love you x.”
An ITV spokesperson today said: "ITV has a long standing relationship with Caroline and we understand and accept her decision.
"We will remain in contact with her over the coming months about future series of Love Island."
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Police were called to Caroline's house in Islington, North London, where she lives with 6ft 4in partner Lewis shortly after 5am on Thursday.
Sources say tennis player and model Lewis, 27, called 999 himself after a row erupted between the pair.
He was not seriously injured, but The Sun can reveal Caroline later needed hospital treatment after accidentally cutting herself on broken glass during the incident.
Caroline has been bailed and is due to appear at Highbury Corner magistrates’ court on December 23.
Boyfriend Lewis has since defended her, describing her as "loyal and kind".
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The presenter has hosted every series of the ITV2 hit since it returned in 2015.
She was due to helm the first ever winter series in South Africa in the New Year and recently visited the site to shoot promotional scenes for the show.
Love Island was Caroline’s biggest presenting gig since she hosted The X Factor for one series with Olly Murs back in 2015.
She previously hosted the spin-off show Xtra Factor alongside Olly and comedian Matt Richardson.
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Sandwiched between her spells as host on the The Xtra Factor and The X Factor, she won the 2014 series of Strictly Come Dancing, beating Blue singer Simon Webbe and The Saturdays star Frankie Bridge in the final.
But out of all the jobs on her presenting CV, she’s most famous for Love Island.
The series has been a TV juggernaut with herself at the helm, posting record viewers figures for ITV2 and making headlines across the world.
Caroline is such a fan of the show that she admits she would have entered herself if she wasn’t famous.
Speaking to The Sun last year, she said: “One hundred per cent I would have done it. When I was 20 or 21, if I was single.
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“It’s proven that if you spend eight weeks in a villa with someone, you can fall in love with them. If you can get love out of it, then why not?”
And she also struck up a bond with the series’ contestants, namely the late Mike Thalassitis who tragically passed away earlier this year after committing suicide.
Caroline attended his funeral in April alongside other Islanders.
Caroline Flack stars in latest trailer for the eagerly anticipated winter version of Love Island
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