Heartbroken Louise Redknapp has paid tribute to her close friend Caroline Flack after she was found dead aged 40 on Saturday.
It has been reported that the former Love Island presenter's body was discovered just hours after she found out that the CPS would go ahead with the trial against her for allegedly assaulting boyfriend Lewis Burton.
A lawyer for the Flack family confirmed that Caroline took her own life and was found in her London flat on Saturday.
Louise became good friends with Caroline after the tragic host reached out to help the singer during a tough time, despite not knowing her very well at the time.
The singer, 45, shared an emotional Instagram post and thanked the star for being there for her, as well as declaring how much of a good person she was.
Louse admitted: "I'm not quite sure where to start with this it is so heartbreaking."
The mum-of-two said Caroline had messaged her when she was struggling with her own battles, but despite this, she wanted to help Louise too - who was facing her own problems at the time.
She continued: "Caroline when things were tough for me and you were going through equally such a tough time you reached out to me and it was so nice to have someone that had been there and been through the same emotions and feelings as me even though different circumstances."
Louise said: "I always think it takes a certain soul to be able to reach out to someone who they don't really know that well."
The former Eternal singer said Caroline did that for her, and a close friendship had formed.
"But you did that for me and from that moment a close friendship was founded. I feel so proud that I was someone that you felt you could trust and that you could speak to at any time about anything," she added.
"I know what really mattered to you was being loved and being cared for and I just wish you could see how loved you were by so many people.
"You didn't deserve any of this what has happened. You were the kindest, brightest fun and sincere friend I've met in this industry.
"You turned up to every show I ever did coming back in to the industry you helped me believe I could go back and do something I never thought I could do again. Whether it was a little DJ set, a west-end show or a music gig you were there being the brightest loudest biggest loyalest supporter".
Louise went on to say: "We spoke often about the people we wanted to become about being strong women about not letting people hurt us about standing up for what we believe in and supporting each other.
"And I'm gonna do my best to be that person that you and I spoke about. I'm gonna try and do this for us for all the good things we said and the positive conversations we had you were an absolute star a nugget of gold.
"I feel really lucky to have had you as a friend, you were the girl that everybody wanted to be friends with and be in your corner on a night out. We would always have so much fun.
"I know this will be hard for everyone to come to terms with but all I can say is I will try and speak your messages, I will try and live by all the things that we spoke about and I will try to be your voice and best be person I can be for you."
She ended the heartbreaking post with: "Caroline I was so proud to be your friend you were our girl!️"
*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
