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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Jane Lavender & Frances Kindon

Caroline Flack's inspirational clap back to critics who branded her Queen Cougar

Former Love Island host Caroline Flack has tragically been found dead at her home.

The 40-year-old's death has left fans devastated.

She is believed to have only just returned to Britain following a wellness break in America.

The ex Strictly winner had been due to stand trial for assault by beating after an altercation with her boyfriend, tennis pro Lewis Burton.

Caroline had pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The much-loved presenter had been open about her quest to find love and had several high profile relationships.

Caroline Flack has tragically been found dead at home (carolineflack/Instagram)

Several of her famous ex-boyfriends were younger than her, including singer Harry Styles and Andrew Brady from the Apprentice.

Stunning Caroline was also spotted kissing Strictly star AJ Pritchard at the National Television Awards last year.

But the presenter refused to let the cougar tag define her and claimed it as a positive in an inspirational open letter to fans.

She hit back at critics and insisted instead she was the Queen of the Cougars.

The feisty letter said: "My current status is not just that I'm a cougar, I'm Queen Cougar, which I guess is something I'm supposed to be ashamed of. But I'm just not.

"If 'cougar' is supposed to be some kind of insult, I'm taking control of that and turning it into a badge of honour. I'm Caroline Louise Flack and I'm Queen of the Cougars."

Caroline, who turned 40 earlier this year, stressed that a man's age had nothing to do with whether or not she fancied them.

She said: "I could date someone who's 20 or someone who's 104. I don't care as long as they're nice."

Caroline also refused to let her past heartbreaks put her off her search for love.

She confessed she was devastated when she split from Andrew Brady last summer and had "absolutely loved being engaged to him".

She added: "It was a sad time when I broke off my engagement and I was hurting.

"And now I want to remember the good stuff about that relationship and to be glad that it happened. Heartbreak hasn't left me disillusioned or afraid to open my heart again."

* Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org

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